🦪Closure of Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Fishery for 2025
NMFS announces the closure of the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area for the remainder of the 2025 fishing year. Regulations require this action once the Northern Gulf of Maine Set- Aside has been reached. Subject to specific enumerated exceptions, possession, retention, or landing of scallops is prohibited in the Northern Gulf of Maine Scallop Management Area once the Regional Administrator publishes a notice in the Federal Register that the Northern Gulf of Maine Set-Aside has been reached. This action is intended to prevent the overharvest of the 2025 Northern Gulf of Maine Set-Aside.
Learn More🦪Framework Adjustment 39 to Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Regulation
NMFS approves and implements Framework Adjustment 39 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that establishes specifications and other management measures for fishing years 2025 and 2026, including fishing effort allocation into access areas, modifying when areas open to optimize yield and minimize bycatch, and closures to protect juvenile scallops. Vessels with a limited access general category B permit may transit outside of the Northern Gulf of Maine with scallops onboard. Research set-aside program regulations are clarified. This action is necessary to prevent overfishing and improve resource yield-per-recruit and management of the fishery.
Learn More🦪Framework Adjustment 39
NMFS proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 39 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) that establishes specifications and other management measures for fishing years 2025 and 2026, including fishing effort allocation into access areas, modifying when areas open to optimize yield and minimize bycatch, and closures to protect juvenile scallops. Vessels with a limited access general category B permit may transit outside of the Northern Gulf of Maine with scallops onboard. Research set-aside program regulations are clarified. This action is necessary to prevent overfishing and improve resource yield-per-recruit and management of the fishery.
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