NOAA Fisheries Service issued a final regulation (74 FR 46930, September 14, 2009) that implements minor modifications to the existing requirements regarding the use of chain-mat modified dredges in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery.
This final regulation is effective October 14, 2009.
These modifications: (1) clarify where on the dredge the chain mat must be hung; (2) exclude the sweep from the requirement that the side of each opening in the chain mat be less than or equal to 14 inches (35.5 cm); and (3) define the sweep and the diamonds, which are terms used to describe parts of the scallop dredge gear.
Additional information can be found on the NOAA website.