NE US Spiny Dogfish (Framework Adjustment 2)

NMFS announces approval of Framework Adjustment 2 (Framework 2) to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), which was developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils (Councils). Framework 2 broadens the FMP stock status determination criteria for spiny dogfish, while maintaining objective and measurable criteria to identify when the stock is overfished or approaching an overfished condition. The framework action also establishes acceptable categories of peer review of new or revised stock status determination criteria for the Council to use in its specification-setting process for spiny dogfish.

This action is necessary to ensure that changes or modification to the stock status determination criteria, constituting the best available, peer-reviewed scientific information, are accessible to the management process in a timely and efficient manner, consistent with National Standards 1 and 2 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This action modifies the process for defining and peer-reviewing the stock status determination criteria, as defined in the FMP and does not implement or change any regulations.

Read all changes to the stock status determination criteria here.