February 7, 2022 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council received short updates on numerous scallop-related issues during its February 1-3, 2022 webinar meeting and covered two items in greater depth. These focused on:
- Recommendations contained in the final report on the Council’s evaluation of the rotational area management program for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery; and
- A proposed timeline and initial strategy for conducting scoping meetings about limited access leasing.
Rotational Management: As part of its 2021 work priorities, the Council agreed to conduct an evaluation of the scallop fishery’s rotational area management program, which was established under Amendment 10 to the federal scallop plan. The evaluation focused on the 2015-2021 fishing years.
During its December 2021 meeting, the Council received a detailed presentation on the findings of the draft report. The presentation that the Council viewed during the February 2022 meeting underscored the final report’s recommendations.
The report states, “The findings suggest that the rotational management program has achieved the primary and secondary objectives outlined in Amendment 10,” adding, “there is continued room for improvement.” (See excerpts in box at right.)
The Council’s Scallop Advisory Panel and Scallop Committee will meet in March to review the report’s recommendations in detail and consider next steps. Keep tabs on the Council’s calendar for upcoming meeting dates.