2019-2021 Spiny Dogfish Fishery

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS/NOAA Fisheries) has implemented final specifications for the 2019 spiny dogfish fishery and announced projected specifications for the 2020 and 2021 fishing years. The specifications substantially reduce the coastwide commercial quota in 2019 to ensure that overfishing does not occur, although NMFS said the lower catch limits are not expected to have a substantial impact on industry since the reduced quotas remain higher than recent landings. Quota increases are projected for 2020 and 2021 since biomass is expected to increase. The federal trip limit remains unchanged at 6,000 pounds.

Table 1. Summary of Final 2019-2021 Spiny Dogfish Specifications, in metric tons.

All other management measures, including the 6,000-lb federal trip limit, remain unchanged. Changes to the trip limit may be pursued in a future, separate rulemaking action. When state and Federal trip limits differ, the more restrictive measures apply to all vessels with a Federal permit. The Councils will review the catch limits for fishing years 2020 and 2021, and we will provide notice of the final quotas prior to each fishing year.