November 5, 2026 — NOAA Fisheries is considering changes to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery that would allow fishermen to combine two limited access permits on a single vessel, potentially reducing operating costs for businesses with multiple boats.
The proposal, under consideration by the Secretary of Commerce, would allow two limited access scallop permits in the same category, under common ownership or control, to be stacked on one vessel. That vessel could then fish the allocations associated with both permits, reducing expenses tied to maintaining multiple vessels with limited days-at-sea allocations.