March 23, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries has set management measures in the Northern Gulf of Maine for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery for the 2018 fishing year (beginning April 1, 2018).
This action:
- Sets the total allowable catch (TAC) for the Northern Gulf of Maine for the scallop fishery for the 2018 fishing year and the default TAC for the 2019 fishing year; and
- Divides the annual TAC between the limited access and limited access general category fleets.
Prior to this action, limited access scallop vessels were able to fish in the Northern Gulf of Maine while on days-at-sea. To prevent excessive fishing in the area, this action prohibits the limited access fleet from fishing in the Northern Gulf of Maine while on days-at-sea, and only allows access if the vessel is participating in the scallop research set-aside program and is conducting a compensation fishing trip.
The remainder of Framework 29, including the full specifications for scallop fishery and adjustments to the several flatfish accountability measures, are being addressed in a trailing action.
Read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register, and the permit holder letter available on our website.