Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS issues this interim final rule to implement Framework Adjustment 72 (Framework 72) to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), specifically to implement status determination criteria for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, set catch limits for multispecies (groundfish) stocks, and revise the process for setting recreational measures for Atlantic cod and haddock. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the FMP. The measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 648 [Docket No. 260729-0180] RIN 0648-BO27 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Interim final rule; request for comments. SUMMARY: NMFS issues this interim final rule to implement Framework Adjustment 72 (Framework 72) to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP), specifically to implement status determination criteria for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, set catch limits for multispecies (groundfish) stocks, and revise the process for setting recreational measures for Atlantic cod and haddock. This action is necessary to respond to updated scientific information and to achieve the goals and objectives of the FMP. The measures are intended to help prevent overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available. DATES: Effective August 4, 2026. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. EST on September 3, 2026. ADDRESSES: A plain language summary of this interim final rule is available at: https://www.regulations.gov/​docket/​NOAA-NMFS-2026-0859 . You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2026-0859, by the following method: Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and type NOAA-NMFS-2026-0859 in …
Citation: 91 FR 49358
