NOAA Common Pool Area Closure for GOM Cod

NOAA fisheries is closing the Trimester Total Allowable Catch Area for Gulf of Maine cod to common pool vessels on groundfish trips fishing with trawl, sink gillnet, and longline/hook gear.

The area is closed effective today, August 17, and will remain closed through August 31. The closure applies to the following statistical areas: 513 and 514. See map below for all current common pool closures.

If you have crossed the vessel monitoring system demarcation line prior to 1615 hours on August 17 and are currently at sea on a groundfish trip, you may complete your trip. We are closing this area because the common pool fishery is projected to catch 90 percent of its Trimester 1 Total Allowable Catch for Gulf of Maine cod. This closure is intended to prevent an overage of the common pool’s quota for this stock.

For more details, read the notice as filed in the Federal Register and the permit holder bulletin.

Questions? Contact Liz Sullivan, Regional Office, at 978-282-8493, or Liz.Sullivan@noaa.gov.