NOAA Fisheries has released a draft Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch in Federal Large Mesh Gillnet Fisheries to meet the requirements of the May 27, 2021 Biological Opinion on 10 Fishery Management Plans in the Greater Atlantic Region.

The Action Plan was produced by a working group of NOAA Fisheries and state agency employees, and includes a review of available information on Atlantic sturgeon bycatch and recommendations to NOAA Fisheries and the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils on measures which should be considered for federal large mesh (greater than or equal to 7 inches) fisheries, including the monkfish, spiny dogfish, northeast multispecies, and skate fisheries.

The input provided via this form will inform the final Action Plan, which NOAA Fisheries will release in September.

For more information, please email Spencer Talmage at Spencer.Talmage@noaa.gov.