NOAA Fisheries is implementing the 2025 small-mesh multispecies fishery quotas for northern red hake, northern silver hake, and southern whiting as recommended by the Council. We are also maintaining the reduced acceptable biological catch (ABC) for southern red hake that complies with the requirements outlined in Framework Adjustment 62 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. Framework 62 established a rebuilding plan for southern red hake that requires the ABC be set to 75 percent of the fishing mortality rate at maximum sustainable yield (FMSY).
Approved Small-Mesh Multispecies Specifications for Fishing Years 2024-2026 (metric tons)
| Overfishing Limit | ABC | Annual Catch Limit | Total Allowable Landings | |
| Northern Red Hake | Unknown | 3,129 | 2973 | 1,274 |
| Northern Silver Hake | 79,473 | 40,868 | 38,825 | 31,347 |
| Southern Red Hake | Unknown | 1,370** | 1,301 | 234 |
| Southern Whiting* | 35,419 | 20,149 | 19,142 | 13,881 |
*Southern whiting includes both southern silver hake and offshore hake.
** The Council recommended ABC was 1,826 mt, however, the implemented ABC takes into account the 25 percent reduction required under the rebuilding plan.
For more information, please read the notice as filed in the Federal Register.
Questions?
Contact Shannah Jaburek at Shannah.Jaburek@noaa.gov, (978) 282-8456
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
