FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS
NORTHEAST MULTISPECIES -
SECTOR MANAGEMENT
Implementing regulations for these fisheries are found at 50 CFR Part 648.87 Subpart F
The Northeast (NE) multispecies fishery is managed by the New England Fishery Management Council. NMFS recently implemented Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP which modifies sector management and authorizes 19 sectors. All vessels with a Federal limited access groundfish permit are eligible to join a groundfish sector. The New England Fishery Management Council’s sector policy defines a "sector" as a group of persons holding limited access vessel permits under the fishery management plan through which the sector is being formed, who have voluntarily entered into a contract and agree to certain fishing restrictions for a specified period of time, and which has been granted a total allowable catch (TAC) in order to achieve objectives consistent with the applicable FMP goals and objectives. Seventeen sectors are operating in the 2010 fishing year (FY). The Council is currently developing Framework 45 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP, including considering authorizing 3 additional sectors. To learn more about Amendment 16, please click here.
Information On Sector Management
- General Information on Sector Management - Permit holder letters, actions, newsletters, workshops, background, resources, charts, forms
- Sector Vessel Regulations Overview Fishing Year 2012
- Sector Vessel Operating Guide Fishing Year 2011
- Information for Vessel Operators/Owners
- Information for Sector Managers
- Information for Seafood Dealers
- Information for Dockside Monitors
- Shortlist Of What You Need To Know To Go Groundfish Fishing This Year
- NOAA Fisheries Staff Contact Information
