Fishing Years 2015-2020 Northeast Multispecies Sector Operations Plans and Contracts

Book excerpt: "Due to the interrelated nature of impacts resulting from the operation of sectors, and exemptions to fishery regulations, NMFS agreed to prepare the required NEPA documentation to accompany the sector operations plans it has or expects to receive for fishing year (FY) 2015-2020. Fishing years for the Northeast Multispecies fishery run from May 1 to April 30 (e.g., FY 2015 is May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016. This Environmental Assessment (EA) describes the potential impacts of approving FY 2015-2020 sector operations plans on the human, physical, and biological environment. NMFS prepared this EA in compliance with the sector provisions as described in Amendment 16 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP (75 FR 18262 4/9/2010) and as implemented by the regulations at 50 CFR 648.87"--Introduction (page 14).