June 20, 2013 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
We’ve heard reports that there is some confusion about Atlantic sea scallop fishery allocations for 2014.
The New England Fishery Management Council is currently developing 2014 allocations through Framework Adjustment 25 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. If approved, this action is expected to be implemented in May 2014.
Since the scallop fishing year begins on March 1, the Council set precautionary default allocations for 2014 in their most recent action (i.e., Framework 24). Default 2014 allocations will be updated, as necessary, based on new 2014 allocations set by the Council in Framework 25.
If you have questions about the current 2014 default allocations, please call NOAA Fisheries’ Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315, or please refer to the final rule to Framework 24.
To learn more about the status of Framework 25, please contact the Council. Thank you!