NOAA Fisheries is transferring 8 metric tons of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and 22 metric tons of Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder to the groundfish fishery through a temporary rule filed today.

The scallop fishery is projected to catch 66 percent of its Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic allocation and 79 percent of its Georges Bank allocation. When the scallop fishery is expected to catch less than 90 percent of its Georges Bank or Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder allocation, we have the authority to transfer the unused amount from the scallop fishery to the groundfish fishery. 

The purposed of the transfer is to provide additional harvest opportunity to the groundfish fishery while ensuring that sufficient amounts of the two stocks are available for the scallop fishery.

This transfer is effective April 18 through April 30.

Read the temporary rule as filed in the Federal Register.