February 20, 2020 — The Following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries seeks comment on a proposed rule (Framework 32) to set management measures for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery for the 2020 fishing year (April 1, 2020–March 31, 2021).
The landings for fishing year 2020 are projected to be lower than 2019, but still above the historical average. Although the scallop fishery is healthy, results from the 2019 scallop surveys showed that recruitment has not been robust, so the New England Fishery Management Council supported taking a conservative approach.
Framework 32 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan would:
- Set specifications for the scallop fishery for fishing year 2020, including days-at-sea, individual fishing quotas, sea scallop access area trips, and the Northern Gulf of Maine Management Program;
- Set precautionary default 2021 specifications, in case we implement the next framework after the April 1, 2021 start of the 2021 fishing year;
- Allocate effort into five rotational access areas (Mid-Atlantic, Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep, Nantucket Lightship-North, Closed Area I, and Closed Area II);
- Allow scallop landings allocated to Closed Area 1 to also be landed in the Mid-Atlantic;
- Extend the existing seasonal closure in Closed Area II by two additional weeks to reduce bycatch of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder;
- Close areas to fishing to protect small scallops and reduce bycatch of flatfish;
- Modify the one-for-one access area trip exchange requirements to accommodate different access area allocations;
- Reduce the limited access general category portion of the Northern Gulf of Maine total allowable catch by 3,718 lb to account for an overage in fishing year 2018; and
- Set payback measures for vessels that fish 2020 default allocation in the Nantucket Lightship-West Access Area, in case we implement Framework 32 after the April 1 start of the 2020 fishing year.
Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register. We will be accepting public comments on this rule through March 6, 2020, through the online e-rulemaking portal or by mailing your comments to:
Michael Pentony, Regional Administrator
NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA, 01930
Please mark the outside of the envelope, “Comments on the Proposed Rule for Atlantic Scallop Framework 32.”