March 16, 2018 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region:
Effective Date: April 1, 2018
Please note that we will not have Framework 29 in place by April 1, the start of the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishing year. Therefore, the default measures published in 2017 will take effect on April 1. We do expect to have Framework 29 finalized in April, which will likely adjust scallop allocations for the 2018 fishing year.
Please read the permit holder letter on our website for the Framework 29 proposed allocations so you can consider these adjustments when planning your fishing activity between April 1 and the implementation of Framework 29.
We separated the Northern Gulf of Maine Measures from Framework 29 to ensure that these measures would be in place before April 1, and are on track to do so.
We will be sending a separate bulletin describing those measures once we publish the final rule.
Learn more about NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region by visiting their site here.