Dear ALWTRT Member or Interested Party:
Due to adverse weather conditions, the National Marine Fisheries Service
announces that the mandatory anchored gillnet and lobster trap gear
restrictions that are effective 0001 hours, December 5, 2002, through
2400 hours December 19, 2002, on Jeffreys Ledge, east of Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, will be changed from mandatory restrictions to voluntary
restrictions. When weather allows, fishermen are encouraged to remove
anchored gillnet and lobster trap gear in the area bound by the
following coordinates: 43° 19'N, 70° 35'W; 43° 19'N, 69° 40'W; 42° 39'N,
69° 40'W; and 42° 39'N, 70° 35'W during the restricted time period. The
northwestern corner of the area from 43°11'N due north to 43°19'N will
follow the coastline. Additionally, fishermen are encouraged not to
set gear in this area during the restricted time period.
A revised permit holder letter regarding the voluntary restrictions in
the Dynamic Area Management (DAM) zone is now posted on the Atlantic
Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) web page
(http://www.nero.nmfs.gov/whaletrp/) under "What's New". NMFS will be
notifying the public of the voluntary DAM zone by issuing radio
announcements, working through appropriate media, distributing the
permit holder letter to affected fishermen, as well as other means. As
an ALWTRT member or interested party, NMFS appreciates your assistance
in spreading the word about the DAM zone and its voluntary restrictions.
-- Diane Borggaard Large Whale Coordinator NOAA/NMFS/NERO Protected Resources Division 1 Blackburn Dr. Gloucester, MA 01930 Ph: 978-281-9145 Fax: 978-281-9394 e-mail: diane.borggaard@noaa.gov
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