Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 72

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.