Public Hearings Reminder: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Chapter 34 Groundfish

Brief Summary: This proposed regulation seeks to align expected halibut catch in Maine’s territorial waters with the state waters subcomponent established in the New England Fishery Management Council’s Framework 69 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This regulation proposes to prohibit fishing for Atlantic halibut in Maine’s territorial waters on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It also proposes reducing the number of allowable hooks for commercial vessels from 250 to 200 hooks, and clarifies that individuals fishing for halibut recreationally are limited to 100 hooks both per person and per vessel. Finally, this regulation adds a prohibition on the use of gaffs to land Atlantic halibut.

Public Hearings: Two public meetings have been scheduled. Meeting information and links are available on the DMR Upcoming Meetings webpage.

If either hearing is cancelled due to inclement weather, an alternative hearing will be held on March 6 at 4:00 p.m. in the DMR Conference Room 118, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta and remotely via Microsoft Teams

2. Mail a written letter to: Deirdre Gilbert, 21 State House Station, Augusta Maine 04333-0021

4. Attend the public hearings in person or remotely to offer oral testimony on the proposed rulemaking.

Any questions related to the proposed rulemaking and the halibut fishery, please contact Corrin Flora at [email protected] or 207-446-8126.

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