Northeast Skate Complex Fishery Management Plan Framework Adjustment 12

Framework 12 set management measures and specifications for the skate fishery for the 2024–2025 fishing years. This action decreases the annual catch limit to 32,155 mt (from 37,236 mt in 2023) and the overall total allowable landings to 15,178 mt (from 21,142 mt in 2023). Specifications for fishing year 2025 are projected to be the same as the proposed 2024 limits. The specifications result in a 26-percent decrease in both the bait and wing fisheries’ total allowable landings. The reduced quotas remain higher than landings in the bait and wing fisheries for at least the last three years; therefore, we do not expect the new quotas to be restrictive to the fishery or to result in reductions in revenue. This action also increases possession limits for the wing fishery, removes barndoor skate-specific possession restrictions for the wing fishery, and removes smooth skate-specific possession restrictions for both the bait and wing fisheries.