Table 1. Summary of management of Cape Cod-Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder.

Year

Comments

1977

FCMA implemented March 1
Groundfish plan adopts quotas for cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder

1982

Interim Groundfish Plan adopted:
Georges Bank and Gulf of Maine minimum mesh size of 5 1/8 inches, increasing to 5 1/2 inches in 1983
11 inch minimum size for yellowtail
Scallop FMP implemented

1986

Northeast Multispecies FMP adopted:
Minimum size for yellowtail flounder: 12 inches
Minimum mesh size in GB/GOM: 5 1/2 inch cod end (no minimum size in SNE/MA)
Seasonal yellowtail closure, March - May, between 69-30 and 72-30W
Small mesh fisheries in GOM/GB area only restricted to specific seasons with limits on landings (not catch) of groundfish and inshore area of GOM

1989

Amendment 2:
Yellowtail minimum size increased to 13 inches

1991

Amendment 4:
Tightened restrictions on carrying small mesh while in Regulated Mesh Areas
Mandated use of selective gear in shrimp fishery, leading to implementation of the Nordmore grate in 1993

1994

Amendment 5 and emergency regulations:
DAS limits for most vessels
West of 72-30W. Mesh determined by mesh requirements of summer flounder fishery (5 1/2 inch diamond or 6 inch square)
GOM/GB mesh of 6 inches (diamond or square)
Eliminated seasonal restrictions on small mesh fisheries in Small Mesh Exemption Area of inshore GOM
Adopted Nordmore grate requirement into FMP

Scallop Amendment 4:
adopted permit moratorium, effort control/DAS program, 5.5 inch twine top minimum, and crew limits

1996

Amendment 7
Extended DAS limits to most vessels
Limited possession of groundfish by scallop vessels to 300 pounds of regulated multispecies
Established criteria for exempted fisheries
Established exempted whiting fisheries in GOM/GB in three areas (Small Mesh Areas I and II in inshore GOM, Cultivator Shoals area on GB)

1999

Framework 27: (May 1)
Increased square mesh minimum size to 6 1/2 inches in GOM/GB/SNE Regulated mesh areas
Framework 29: (June)
Amendment 9: (November): Revised overfishing definitions
Scallop Framework 11 mandates 8 inch twine top, authorizes scallop access program for Closed Area II, with yellowtail flounder bycatch limits

2000

Scallop Framework 13: Scallop vessel closed area access programs with yellowtail bycatch limits
Adopted management measures for small-mesh multispecies, establishing minimum mesh sizes and trip/possession limits to reduce mortality on silver, red, and offshore hake

Framework 35:}
Established exempted whiting fishery in upper Cape Cod Bay using raised footrope trawl