The New England Fishery Management Council has begun work on an action to consider revisions to the Habitat Management Area on the Northern Edge of Georges Bank. The Council prioritized this work in December 2022 when it established 2023 priorities. On April 18, 2023, the Council approved the goal and objectives for this work and initiated a joint habitat-scallop framework action.
The fishing gear restrictions associated with the Habitat Management Area on the Northern Edge are intended to minimize the impacts of fishing on essential fish habitats (EFH) for numerous species. As such, this framework would amend each of the New England Council’s fishery management plans (FMPs) that have a connection to the Habitat Management Area in terms of designated EFH. The affiliated FMPs include scallops, groundfish, herring, monkfish, and skates.
- Habitat Management Considerations for the Northern Edges of Georges Bank – White Paper Prepared by Habitat Plan Development Team
- Impact of Disturbance on Habitat Recovery in Habitat Management Areas on the Northern Edge of Georges Bank: Ecosystem Perturbation Experiment – Before/After Control Impact (BACI) Study Final Report
- Northern Edge Habitat-Scallop Framework Goal and Objectives
Habitat Plan Development Team Meeting Summaries
October 13, 2022
December 16, 2021
October 25, 2021
September 20, 2021
June 15, 2021
May 3, 2021
April 5, 2021
March 3, 2021
October 24, 2019
The Northern Edge is roughly defined as the area encompassed within the Closed Area II Habitat Management Area (HMA) and the adjacent portion of the Northern Flank of Georges Bank. – New England Fishery Management Council graphic
The map above shows approximate area sizes for productive scallop grounds (blue outlines) with recent Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) data, which is representative of scallop fishing between April and June 2022. The size of the Northern Edge is similar to areas that have experienced concentrated fishing, such as Stellwagen Bank. Area sizes are based on the boundaries used in the Scallop Area Management Simulator (SAMS) model, which is used to project scallop biomass. – New England Fishery Management Council graphic