Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan Final Rule Amendment published

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has published a final rule to amend the regulations implementing the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan (weblink). The final rule, whose measures become effective in March 2010, addresses the increased incidental mortality and serious injury of the Gulf of Maine/Bay of Fundy stock of harbor porpoises in gillnet fisheries throughout the stock’s U.S. range. CONCUR Principal Scott McCreary and Senior Associate Bennett Brooks co-facilitated the stakeholder deliberations that crafted the consensus-supported rule.