Atlantic Sea Scallop

 

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Scallop Feature Stories

General Fisheries Information Sheets

• Gear Stowage Requirements
• Letters of Authorization
• Small Mesh Fishery Exemptions
• Large Mesh Fishery Exemptions

Sea Scallops

• Yellowtail Flounder Accountability Measures in the Scallop Fishery Fact Sheet
• Sea Scallop IFQ Cost Recovery Program
• Sea Scallop Voluntary IFQ Sector Program
• New Opportunities for Permits in Confirmation of Permit History (CPH)

Current Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR)

• Subpart A - General Provisions
• Subpart D - Atlantic Sea Scallop

Quota Monitoring – click here

FY 2016 Scallop Fishery Allocations

Overfishing Limit	68,418 mt (150,835,870 lb)
Annual Biological Catch/Annual Catch Limit (ABC/ACL) (Discards Removed)	37,852 mt (83,449,375 lb)
Incidental TAC	23 mt (50,706 lb)
Northern Gulf of Maine TAC	31.8 mt (70,000 lb)
Research Set-Aside	567 mt (1,250,000 lb)
Observer Set-aside (1 percent of ABC/ACL)	379 mt (835,552 lb)
Limited Access ACL (94.5 percent of total ACL, after deducting set-asides and incidental catch)	34,855 mt (76,842,121 lb)
Limited Access sub-Annual Catch Target (ACT) (adjusted for management uncertainty)	18,290 mt (40,322,548 lb)
Limited Access General Category ACL (5.0 percent of total ACL, after deducting set-asides and incidental catch)	1,845 mt (4,067,529 lb)
Limited Access General Category ACL for vessels with Limited Access scallop permits (0.5 percent of total ACL, after deducting set-asides and incidental catch)	184 mt (405,651 lb)

How often do the quotas change for this fishery?   Annual or Biennially

What if specifications are not in place at the start of fishing year?   Default specifications go into effect

What if specifications are not in place at the start of fishing year?   Default specifications go into effect

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Limited Access General Catagory (LAGC) Vessels

FY 2016 LAGC Fleet Allocations 

LAGC IFQ only	4,067,529 lb
LAGC IFQ with LA permit	405,651 lb
LAGC NGOM Allocation	70,000 lb
LAGC Incidental Allocation	50,000 lb

Access Area Trips for LAGC IFQ vessels:

LAGC IFQ vessels are allocated a fleetwide number of trips into available access areas.  Once the fleetwide total of trips has been taken, the area closes to IFQ vessels.  The following table lists the number of trips the LAGC IFQ fleet can take in the individual access areas for FY 2016.

• 2016 LAGC FW 27 Allocations

FY 2016 Access Area Trip Allocations for the LAGC IFQ Scallop Fleet

Accountability Measures for the LAGC IFQ Fleet:

NMFS deducts IFQ from a vessel that exceeds its IFQ from its IFQ allocation in the following fishing year.  The deduction includes any IFQ transferred from another IFQ vessel.  The deduction will be equal to the amount landed in excess of the vessels IFQ, plus any transferred IFQ.  The deduction would apply for multiple years if necessary to account for the overage with the IFQ.  A vessel may also be subject to enforcement actions if it exceeds its IFQ in a given fishing year.

Atlantic Sea Scallop Individual Fishing Quota Cost Recovery Program

• 2013 Annual Report (May 2014)

Limited Access (LA) Vessels

Access Area Trips for LA vessels:

• Full-time vessels are allocated 51,000 lb of access area scallops in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area for FY 2016.  The vessel can take as many or as few trips as needed, so long as the trip does not exceed the 17,000-lb possession limit on any one trip.
• Part-time vessels are allocated 20,400 lb of access area scallops in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area for FY 2016.  The vessel can take as many or as few trips as needed, so long as the trip does not exceed the 10,200-lb possession limit on any one trip.

Access Area Seasons:

For FY 2016 all three Mid-Atlantic Access Areas, with the exception of the Elephant Trunk Closure Area mentioned below, are treated as a single access area.  Vessels can cross all three areas (Delmarva, Elephant Truck, and Hudson Canyon) on a single access area trip.

A 549 square mile area in the northwest corner of the Elephant Trunk Access Area is closed to scallop fishing.  Note: Vessels are prohibited from transiting the Elephant Trunk Closed area when on a declared scallop trip (please refer to the Chart depicted under the Commercial tab, Area subtab on this page).

LA Open Area Days at Sea (DAS) Allocations:

FY 2016 DAS allocation for Limited Access Vessels¹

¹Allocations exclude carryover DAS

²Allocation for part-time vessels shall be 40 percent of the full-time DAS allocations, respectively

Limited Access Fleet Accountability Measures (AMs):

The primary AM for the limited access fleet is the use of an Annual Catch Target (ACT) to account for management uncertainty and to prevent vessels from exceeding the fleet’s Annual Catch Limit (ACL).  However, there is still a possibility that the limited access fleet could exceed its sub-ACL if estimates that set a given year’s ACL are highly inaccurate.  The pay-back AM for the limited access fleet applies only to open area DAS allocations and requires a DAS reduction for the fleet that would approximate the catch overage.  If an ACL overage occurs, NMFS would distribute the DAS reduction evenly to limited access vessels, with part-time and occasional proportional deductions consistent with the way that DAS are assigned in the fishery.  The AM would take effect in the year after the fishing year in which the limited access fleet exceeded its sub-ACL, once complete DAS and landings information is available.

 

Limited Access Fleet AM Exception:

It is possible that even if the limited access fleet exceeds its sub-ACL, triggering the AM for the limited access fleet, the F associated with the overall ACL would not be exceeded (i.e., actual catch was higher than projected catch because of underestimating catch-per-day projections).  In this instance, an AM would not take effect if the actual overall fishing mortality (F) resulting from the fishery is one standard deviation below the overall F for the scallop fishery’s ACL.  With an F=0.38 for the ACL, the F associated with one standard deviation below the F estimate would be F=0.34.  If the scallop fishery’s F is below 0.348, the AM would not be implemented.  However, if the fishery’s F is 0.34or above, the AM would take effect.

Other Species

Scallop fishermen receive an annual allocation of yellowtail flounder and windowpane flounder that they can catch.  This is referred to as a sub-ACL because the allocation is a portion of the groundfish annual catch limit for these species.  Accountability Measures (AMs) may be enacted if the scallop fishery catches more than the sub-ACL.

FY 2016 sub-ACLs for Other Species Caught in the Scallop Fishery

Stock	Sub-ACL
Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder	TBD
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Yellowtail Flounder	TBD
Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Windowpane Flounder	TBD

Yellowtail Flounder sub-ACL Accountability Measures:

If the scallop fishery exceeds its yellowtail flounder (YTF) sub-ACLs, accountability measures (AMs) may be triggered.  These AMs close areas where high catches of yellowtail have historically occurred for a portion of the next fishing year.  The Council developed three different YTF AMs in the scallop fishery:  One for the limited access scallop fleet; one for the portion of the limited access general category (LAGC) individual fishing quota (IFQ) fleet that uses dredges; and one for the portion of the LAGC IFQ fleet that uses trawls.  The limited access fleet has AMs for sub-ACL overages in both GB and SNE/MA, while the LAGC IFQ fishery only has AMs for YTF sub-ACL overages in SNE/MA.

When are the YTF catch limits considered exceeded?

For both the limited access scallop fleet and the LAGC IFQ fleet, YTF AMs trigger if one of the two scenarios occurs:

• The total YTF ACL for a given stock area in a given FY was exceeded, and the scallop fishery’s sub-ACL was exceeded by any amount; or
• The total YTF ACL for a given stock area was not exceeded, but the scallop fishery exceeded its sub-ACL by 50 percent or more.

In addition to those triggers, the LAGC fleet has a few other caveats related to when their SNE/MA YTF AMs will trigger.

For LAGC IFQ vessels fishing with dredges, AMs will only trigger if:

• One of the above two conditions is met and the amount of YTF caught by LAGC vessels fishing with dredges was greater than 3 percent of the SNE/MA YTF sub-ACL (i.e., if LAGC vessels fishing with dredges caught 3 percent or less of the YTF sub-ACL in SNE/MA, AMs for this fleet would not be triggered, even if other scallop fleet AMs were triggered).

For LAGC IFQ vessels fishing with trawls, in addition to the first two conditions listed above, AMs will also trigger if:

• The estimated catch of SNE/MA YTF by LAGC vessels using trawls is more than 10 percent of the SNE/MA YTF sub-ACL for the scallop fishery.  This would trigger an AM regardless of whether or not the total YTF ACL was exceeded or if the scallop fishery exceeded is YTF sub-ACL.  If this 10-percent threshold is met, the closure length will be the maximum extent possible (i.e., a 7-month closure).  More details about closure areas and lengths are below.

What are the YTF accountability measures?

The AMs are seasonal closures of defined statistical areas.  The lengths of such closures, which are based on the time of year when YTF bycatch is the highest, depend on the severity of the YTF sub-ACL overages.

AM closure areas for limited access vessels in GB and SNE/MA

 Note that the closure areas in SNE/MA are identical to those for the LAGC IFQ fishery
when fishing with dredges.

What are the YTF AMs in Georges Bank (GB)?

If the GB YTF sub-ACL overage results in an AM, the only AM applicable to GB is the limited access AM.  Although the YTF catch of LAGC IFQ vessels applies to the GB sub-ACL, their catch is minimal and they do not have an AM for this area.

In GB, the AM is a seasonal closure of statistical area 562, as well as the small portion of 525 that is within the Closed Area II (CA2) scallop access area (see map above).  The length of the closure depends on the amount of the overage, as well as whether or not Closed Area II is open to the scallop fishery.

For years when CA2 is open, the AM closure schedule is:

Percent overage of YTF sub-ACL	Length of closure
3 or less	Oct-Nov
3.1-14	Sep-Nov
14.1-16	Sep-Jan
16.1-39	Aug-Jan
39.1-56	Jul-Jan
Greater than 56	Mar-Feb (All year)

For years when CA2 is closed, the AM closure schedule is:

Percent overage of YTF sub-ACL	Length of closure
1.9 or less	Sep-Nov
2.0 -2.9	Aug-Jan
3.0 -3.9	Mar-Aug, Feb
4.0 - 4.9	Mar, Jul-Feb
5.0 -5.9	Mar-May, Jul-Feb
6.0 or greater	Mar-Feb (All year)

What are the YTF AMs in Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA)?

If the SNE/MA YTF sub-ACL overage results in AMs, the limited access fleet, LAGC IFQ vessels using trawls, and LAGC IFQ vessels using dredges would each have specific AMs.

For limited access vessels, the AM is a seasonal closure of statistical areas 537, 539, and 613 (see map above).  The length of the closure depends on the amount of the overage, and all three statistical areas close for the same period of time.

The SNE/MA AM limited access closure schedule is:

Percent overage of YTF sub-ACL	Length of closure
2 or less	Mar-Apr
2.1-3	Mar-Apr , Feb
3.1-7	Mar-May, Feb
7.1-9	Mar-May, Jan-Feb
9.1-12	Mar-May, Dec-Feb
12.1-15	Mar-Jun,  Dec-Feb
15.1-16	Mar-Jun, Nov-Feb
16.1-18	Mar-Jul, Nov-Feb
18.1-19	Mar-Aug, Oct-Feb
19.1 or more	Mar-Feb (All year )

For LAGC IFQ vessels that fish with dredges, the AM is a seasonal closure of the same statistical areas applicable to the limited access fishery (i.e., 537, 539, and 613; see map above).  As with the AM for the limited access fleet, the length of the closure depends on the amount of the overage.  However, these areas are not all closed at the same time, and all three areas do not close for the entire FY, no matter how great the overage.

The SNE/MA AM closure schedule for LAGC IFQ vessels that fish with dredges is:

	AM closure area and duration
Overage	Stat Area 539	Stat Area 537	Stat Area 613
2 percent or less	Mar-Apr	Mar-Apr	Mar-Apr
2.1 - 7 percent	Mar-May, Feb	Mar-May, Feb	Mar-May, Feb
7.1 - 12 percent	Mar-May, Dec-Feb	Mar-May, Dec-Feb	Mar-May, Feb
12.1 - 16 percent	Mar-Jun, Nov-Feb	Mar-Jun, Nov-Feb	Mar-May, Feb
16.1 percent or greater	Mar-Feb (All year )	Mar-Jun, Nov-Feb	Mar-May, Feb

For LAGC IFQ vessels that fish with trawls, the AM is a seasonal closure of statistical areas 612 and 613 (see map below).  As with the other AMs, the length of the closure depends on the amount of the overage.  This area could be closed to LAGC trawl gear for up to 7 months of the FY, but will not be closed for an entire FY.

The SNE/MA AM closure schedule for LAGC IFQ vessels that fish with trawls is:

Overage	AM Closure
2 percent or less	Mar-Apr
2.1-3 percent	Mar-Apr, and Feb
3.1-7 percent	Mar-May, and Feb
7.1-9 percent	Mar-May, and Jan-Feb
9.1-12 percent	Mar-May, and Dec-Feb
12.1 or greater	Mar-June, and Dec-Feb

If the LAGC trawl AM is triggered, a trawl vessel could still covert to dredge gear and continue fishing for scallops.  If a vessel chooses to switch gears, it must follow all dredge gear regulations, including that fishery’s AM schedule if it has also been triggered. 

When do the YTF AMs go into effect?

If reliable information is available to make a mid-year determination of the need to implement AMs for the YTF sub-ACLs, the respective AM(s) for each YTF stock area will be implemented at the start of the next FY (e.g., In situations where the ACL for a stock is low, an overage is known early in the FY, and AM determinations are based on actual catch and landings rather than projections).

If reliable information is not available to make a mid-year determination of the need to implement AMs for the YTF sub-ACLs, NMFS must wait until enough information is available (i.e., when the total observer and catch data is available for that FY for both the groundfish and scallop fisheries) before making a decision to implement any YTF AMs.  Under this scenario, NMFS would implement AMs Year 3 (e.g., for an overage in FY 2015, the AM will be implemented in FY 2017).

What are the coordinates for the AM seasonal closure areas?

For Limited Access Scallop Vessels:

GB YTF AM Closure Area
Point	N. latitude	W. longitude
GBYT AM 1	41°50'	(1) (2)
GBYT AM 2	40°30.75'	(3)
GBYT AM 3	40°30'	66°40'
GBYT AM 4	40°40'	66°40'
GBYT AM 5	40°40'	66°50'
GBYT AM 6	40°50'	66°50'
GBYT AM 7	40°50'	67°00'
GBYT AM 8	41°00'	67°00'
GBYT AM 9	41°00'	67°20'
GBYT AM 10	41°10'	67°20'
GBYT AM 11	41°10'	67°40'
GBYT AM 12	41°50'	67°40'
GBYT AM 1	41°50'	66°51.94'

(¹) The intersection of 41°50 N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary
(²) From Point CAIIA3 connected to Point CAIIA4 along the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary
(³) The intersection of 41°30.75 N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada maritime boundary

SNE/MA YTF AM Closure Area
Point	N. latitude	W. longitude
LA SNEYT AM 1	(1)	73°00'
LA SNEYT AM 2	40°00'	73°00'
LA SNEYT AM 3	40°00'	71°40'
LA SNEYT AM 4	39°50'	71°40'
LA SNEYT AM 5	39°50'	70°00'
LA SNEYT AM 6	(2) (3)	70°00'
LA SNEYT AM 7 (4)	41°16.76’	70°13.47’
LA SNEYT AM 8(5)	41°18.01’	70°15.47’
LA SNEYT AM 9(6)	41°20.26’	70°18.30’
LA SNEYT AM 10(7)	41°21.09’ (8)	70°27.03’
LA SNEYT AM 11	41°20'	(9)
LA SNEYT AM 12	41°20'	71°10'
LA SNEYT AM 13	(10) (11)	71°10'
LA SNEYT AM 14	(12)	71°40'
LA SNEYT AM 15	41°00'	71°40'
LA SNEYT AM 16	41°00' (13)	(14)

(¹) The south facing mainland coastline of Long Island
(²) The southern coastline of Nantucket
(³) From Point F to Point G along the southern coastline of Nantucket
(⁴) Point G represents Esther Island, Nantucket, Massachusetts
(⁵) Point H represents Tuckernuck Island, Nantucket, Massachusetts
(⁶) Point I represents Muskeget Island, Nantucket, Massachusetts
(⁷) Point J represents Wasque Point, Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts
(⁸) From Point J to Point K along the southern coastline of Martha's Vineyard
(⁹) The western coastline of Martha's Vineyard
(¹⁰) The southern coastline of Rhode Island
(¹¹) From Point M to Point B following the mainland coastline of Rhode Island
(¹²) The southern coastline of Rhode Island
(¹³) From Point P back to Point A along the southern mainland coastline of Long Island 
(¹⁴) Southeast facing coastline of Long Island
 

For LAGC IFQ Scallop Vessels Fishing with Dredges:

SNE/MA YTF AM Closure Areas

Closure Area 1 (Statistical Area 537)
Point	N. latitude	W. longitude
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 A	41°20'	(1)
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 B	41°20'	71°10'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 C	41°10'	71°10'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 D	41°10'	71°20'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 E	40°50'	71°20'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 F	40°50'	71°40'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 G	39°50'	71°40'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 H	39°50'	70°00'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 I	(2)(3)	70°00'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 J (4)	41°16.76’	70°13.47’
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 K (5)	41°18.01’	70°15.47’
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 L (6)	41°20.26’	70°18.30’
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM1 M (7)	41°21.09’ (8)	70°27.03’

(¹) The western coastline of Martha's Vineyard
(²) The southern coastline of Nantucket
(³) From Point I to Point J along the southern coastline of Nantucket
(⁴) Point J represents Esther Island, Nantucket, Massachusetts
(⁵) Point K represents Tuckernuck Island, Nantucket, Massachusetts
(⁶) Point L represents Muskeget Island, Nantucket, Massachusetts
(⁷) Point M represents Wasque Point, Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts
(⁸) From Point M back to Point A along the southern coastline of Martha's Vineyard

Closure Area 2 (Statistical Area 613)
Point	N. lat.	W. long.
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM2 A	(1)	73°00'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM2 B	40°00'	73°00'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM2 C	40°00'	71°40'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM2 D	41°00'	71°40'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM2 E	41°00' (2)	(3)

(¹) The south facing mainland coastline of Long Island
(²) Southeast facing coastline of Long Island
(³) From Point E back to Point A along the southern mainland coastline of Long Island

Closure Area 3 (Statistical Area 539):
Point	N. lat.	W. long.
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM3 A	(1)	71°40'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM3 B	40°50'N	71°40'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM3 C	40°50'N	71°20'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM3 D	41°10'N	71°20'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM3 E	41°10'N	71°10'
LAGC Dredge SNEYT AM3 F	(1) (2)	71°10'

(¹) The southern coastline of Rhode Island
(²) From Point F back to Point A following the southern mainland coastline of Rhode Island
 

For LAGC IFQ Scallop Vessels Fishing with Trawls:

SNE/MA YTF AM Closure Areas (Statistical Areas 612 and 613)
Point	N. lat.	W. long.
LAGC Trawl SNEYT AM A	40°00’	(1)
LAGC Trawl SNEYT AM B	40°00'	71°40'
LAGC Trawl SNEYT AM C	41°00'	71°40'
LAGC Trawl SNEYT AM D	41°00'(2)	(3)

(¹)New Jersey mainland coastline
(²)From Point D back to Point A along the southern mainland coastline of Long Island and New York, and the eastern coastline of New Jersey
(³)Southeast facing coastline of Long Island, NY
 

SNE/MA Windowpane Flounder sub-ACL Accountability Measures:

If the scallop fishery exceeds its sub-ACL for SNE/MA windowpane flounder, an AM would trigger in the area west of 71° W. long., excluding the Mid-Atlantic scallop access areas, in the year following the overage.  This AM, which is a seasonal gear restriction, would require scallop vessels participating in the DAS or LAGC IFQ fisheries to comply with the following dredge gear restrictions:

1. The maximum number of rows of rings in the apron of the topside does not exceed five rows; and
2. The maximum hanging ratio for a net, net material, or any other material on the top of a scallop dredge (twine top) possessed or used by vessels fishing with scallop dredge gear does not exceed 1.5:1 overall.  An overall handing ratio of 1.5:1 means that the twine top is hung alternative 2 meshes per ring and 1 mesh per ring (counted at the bottom where the twine top connects to the apron), for an overall average of 1.5 meshes per ring for the entire width of the twine top.

Dredge gear configuration required if the SNE/MA windowpane flounder accountability measure is in place.  Image credit: Coonamessett Farm Foundation

If the scallop fishery exceeds its windowpane flounder sub-ACL by 20% or less, this gear restriction would be in place for the month of February only.  If the sub-ACL is exceeded by more than 20%, the gear restriction would be in place for March and February.

Under the industry-funded observer program, if a vessel is selected to carry an observer, the vessel is responsible to pay for that observer on that trip.  In order to help defray the cost to vessel owners for this observer coverage, one percent of the ABC/ACL is set aside as the Observer Set-Aside.  This set-aside is then distributed to vessels that carry observers.  LA vessels either receive additional pounds in access areas or DAS in open areas, and LAGC IFQ vessels receive additional pounds attributed to their IFQ allocations.

The industry-funded observer program was first used when scallop vessels gained access into portions of groundfish closed areas under Joint Framework Adjustments 11 and 39 to the Scallop and Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plans (FMPs), respectively.  The set-aside program was expanded in Amendment 10 to the Scallop FMP to include other access areas and open areas.  Since its beginning, the industry-funded observer program has applied to LA vessels, and more recently LAGC IFQ vessels were incorporated into the program.  The industry-funded observer program has enabled higher observer rates in the scallop fishery compared to other fisheries in the region.

Observer Set-Aside Compensation Rate:

The observer compensation rates refer to the amount of additional pounds of scallops, or scallop DAS for LA vessels on open area trips, that will be allotted to vessels that are selected to carry observers. 

Using the one-percent observer set-aside described above, as well as information on expected trip lengths, trip costs, landings-per-unit effort, and expected scallop prices, NMFS selects compensation rates that are expected to provide sufficient compensation for the observer fee, while also providing sufficient observer coverage based on anticipated coverage levels needed for a given fishing year.

Compensation Rate for LA Vessels

• 0.11 DAS per DAS fished for open area DAS trips (i.e., vessels will be charged 0.89 DAS per DAS fished with an observer onboard)
• 175 lb per day, or part of a day, for access area trips

Compensation Rate for LAGC IFQ Vessels

• 175 lb per trip for access area trips
• This equates to a possession limit of 775 lb when carrying an observer on an access area trip

NOAA Fisheries monitors the compensation rates and the observer set-aside use in each area very closely throughout the year.  If information suggests that a different rate is necessary to account for unexpected fishery conditions, we will change the compensation rate as appropriate and necessary.  For more details on how we calculated these compensation rates, and our expectation of how it will impact compensation and observer coverage rates, please read the FY 2016 bulletin and the Observer Compensation Rate Summary on these topics.

Possession Limits and Fish Size Requirements

Minimum shell height:   The minimum shell height for in-shell scallops that may be landed or possessed at or after landing is 3.5 inches (8.9 cm).  Shell height is a straight line measurement from the hinge to the part of the shell that is farthest away from the hinge.

Maximum shell height:   There is no maximum scallop size.

Possession & Trip Limits:   Scallop possession limits vary by permit and area.  The specifics of the catch limits for different permit holders are outlined below.

Limited Access Possession Limits 

Open Area Days-at-Sea (DAS)

LA vessels fishing under a DAS in open areas are not subject to a possession limit.  Sorting machines are prohibited on vessels fishing under a DAS and the following crew limits also apply:

• LA vessels may have no more than 7 people on board, including the operator
• For vessels in the Small Dredge Program (Categories 5 and 6), no more than 5 people can be on board
• These numbers exclude any observers that may be present

Access Areas

Limited Access vessels fishing in an access area have a possession limit dependent on their permit category.  Below are the possession limits from FY 2016:

• Full-time: 17,000 lb/trip
• Part-time: 10,200 lb/trip

When fishing on a declared access area trip, vessels may have no more than 50 bushels of in-shell scallops when outside of the access area.

Access Area trips are now subjected to the following crew limits:

• LA vessels may have no more than 8 people on board, including the operator
• For vessels in the Small Dredge Program (Categories 5 and 6), no more than 6 people can be onboard
• These numbers exclude any observers that may be present

If a limited access vessel carries an observer on board, that vessel may land additional scallops while on an access area trip to compensate for the cost of carrying an observer.

LAGC Possession Limits

LAGC Permit Category	Scallop Meat Possession Limit	In-Shell Possession Limit Shoreward of VMS Line	In-shell Possession Limit Seaward of VMS Line
IFQ – Not declared into the Access Area Program	600 lb	75 U.S. bu	100 U.S. bu
IFQ – Declared into the Access Area Program	600 lb†	75 U.S. bu	75 U.S. bu (100 bu only while inside access area)
NGOM	200 lb	25 U.S. bu	50 U.S. bu
Incidental	40 lb	5 U.S. bu	10 U.S. bu

† An IFQ-permitted vessel on a declared access area trip may possess up to 750 lb of shucked scallops if it is carrying an observer and the observer set-aside for that particular access area has not been exhausted.

Shell Stock Restrictions

• Vessels fishing in areas that are closed due to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP).
• LA vessels fishing in or transiting the area south of 42°20′N. lat. at any time during a trip may possess no more than 50 bu (75 BU for IFQ vessels) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) demarcation line, unless fishing under the state waters exemption.
• LA vessels declared into the Sea Scallop Area Access Program may not possess more than 50 bu (75 BU for IFQ vessels) of in-shell scallops outside of the access area

Other Allowed Species Possession Limits

Northeast (NE) multispecies possession limits for LAGC IFQ vessels:   LAGC IFQ vessels are prohibited from landing NE multispecies, unless they are on a declared NE multispecies trip (i.e., they cannot be on a declared IFQ trip and retain NE multispecies).

NE multispecies possession limits on Access Area Trips:   Unless otherwise prohibited, limited access scallop vessels, also issued a valid NE multispecies permit, that have declared into a trip and fishing within the Sea Scallop Access Areas may possess and land, per trip, up to a maximum of 1,000 lb of all New England multispecies combined.  Additional restrictions for Atlantic cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder are listed below:

• Atlantic cod - Vessels may possess up to 100 lb (45.4 kg) of Atlantic cod per trip, provided such fish is intended for personal use only and cannot be not sold, traded, or bartered
• Haddock - Vessels may possess and land haddock up to the overall possession limit of all NE multispecies combined, except that vessels are prohibited from possessing or landing haddock from January 1 through June 30
• Yellowtail flounder - vessels are prohibited from possessing yellowtail flounder

NE multispecies possession limits on Scallop DAS trips:  Unless otherwise prohibited, limited access scallop vessels, also issued a valid NE multispecies permit, that have declared into the scallop DAS program may possess and land, per trip:

• NE multispecies  - A maximum of 300 lb of all NE multispecies combined
• Yellowtail flounder - vessels are prohibited from possessing yellowtail flounder

Monkfish Incidental Trip Limits for LA vessels while on a Scallop DAS or in the Sea Scallop Access Area Program
Area	NFMA & SFMA
Gear	All gear
Landing Limit (tail weight per DAS)	300 lb (873 lb whole weight)

Monkfish Incidental Trip Limits for LAGC IFQ vessels:

• 50 lb (tail weight) per trip, when fishing in the scallop dredge exemption areas
• When fishing west of 72’30’’ (i.e., in the Mid-Atlantic exemption area), LAGC vessels may use trawls or dredges, and the monkfish possession limit depends on gear size::
  • Mesh size equal to or larger than 5.5” diamond/6” square in body, extensions, and codend – 5% of the total weight of fish on board, up to 450 lb trip

Mesh size smaller than 5.5” diamond/6” square in body, extensions, and codend – 50 lb per day, up to 150 lb per trip

Maximum Fish Size:  None

Dredge Gear Requirements:

Maximum Dredge Width:   Limited Access vessels (excluding vessels in the Small Dredge Program) may not use a dredge(s) with a combined dredge width of more than 31 ft.  Limited Access vessels enrolled in the Small Dredge Program may only fish with one dredge, and the dredge width may not exceed 10.5 ft.

LAGC vessels may fish with a maximum combined dredge width of 10.5 ft, measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge.  The only exception is for LAGC vessels fishing in the Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area, where vessels may use dredge gear with a combined dredge width of no more than 31 ft.

Minimum mesh size:   The mesh size of any material on the top of any scallop dredge (twine top) may not be smaller than 10-inch square or diamond mesh.

Minimum Ring Size:   The ring size in any scallop dredge possessed or used by scallop vessels may not be smaller than 4 inches.

Link restrictions:   No more than double links between rings may be used in or on all parts of the dredge bag, except the dredge bottom.  No more than triple linking shall be used in or on the dredge bottom portion and the diamonds.

Damaged links that are connected to only one ring, i.e., “hangers,” are allowed if they occur between two links that both couple the same two rings.  Dredge rings may not be attached via links to more than four adjacent rings.  Thus, dredge rings must be rigged in a configuration such that, when a series of adjacent rings are held horizontally, the neighboring rings form a pattern of horizontal rows and vertical columns.

Gear Restrictions and Obstructions:   No material, device, or link configuration may be used if it results in obstructing the release of scallops that would have passed through a legal sized and configured net and dredge.  No chafing gear or cookies may be used on the top of the dredge.

All limited access and LAGC IFQ vessels that are fishing for scallops must have no more than seven rows in the apron between the twine top and the clubstick, year-round and in all areas.  This is intended to further reduce flatfish bycatch.

Scallop Dredge Gear Stowage Requirements:

Scallop vessels may transit closed areas and access areas (excluding Closed Area II and Elephant Trunk Closed Area, unless there is a compelling safety reason to do so) on either a scallop access area or open area trip, provided gear is properly stowed.

Seasonal Turtle Chain Mat and Turtle Deflector Dredge (TDD) Requirements:

Effective Date, Season, and Area Required:

• Between May 1 and November 30
• Scallop vessels fishing west of 71° W. longitude must use both TDDs and Turtle chain mats during the entire TDD and chain mat season

Chain Mat Description:   The mat must cover the entire opening of the dredge bag.  The vertical and horizontal chains must be hung to cover the opening of the dredge bag such that the vertical chains extend from the back of the cutting bar to the sweep.  The horizontal chains must intersect the vertical chains such that the length of each side of the openings formed by the intersecting chains is less than or equal to 14 inches with the exception of the side of any individual opening created by the sweep.  The sweep is defined as a chain extending, usually in an arc, from one end of the dredge frame to the other which the ring bag including the diamonds, is attached.  The sweep forms the edge of the opening of the dredge bag.

Which Vessels Have to Use the TDD?

All scallop vessels fishing in the TDD area during the TDD season described above with the exception of Limited Access General Category (LAGC) vessels that use a dredge less than 10’ 6” in width.  Specific examples are listed below.

What are the Requirements of the TDD Design?

(1) The cutting bar must be located in front of the depressor plate.

(2) The acute angle between the plane of the bale and the strut must be less than or equal to 45 degrees.

(3) All bale bars must be removed, except the outer bale (single or double) bars and the center support beam, leaving an otherwise unobstructed space between the cutting bar and forward bale wheels, if present.  The center support beam must be less than 6” wide.  For the purpose of flaring and safe handling of the dredge, a minor appendage, not to exceed 12” in length, may be attached to each of the outer bale bar (“flaring bar”).  If the flaring bar is attached in a u-shape, none of the three sides of the flaring bar can exceed 12 inches in length.  The appendage should at no point be closer than 12” to the cutting bar so that it does not interfere with the space created by the “bump out”.

(4) Struts must be spaced no more than 12” apart from each other, along the entire length of the frame.

(5) For all dredges with widths of 10’ 6” or greater, the TDD must include a straight extension ("bump out") connecting the outer bale bars to the dredge frame.  This "bump out" must exceed 12” in length, as measured along the inside of the bale bar from the front of the cutting bar to the first bend in the bale bar. 

 

Trawl Gear Requirements

Authorized Scallop Trawl Vessels:

Limited Access vessels permitted to use trawl gear (Categories 7, 8, and 9) to harvest scallops must comply with the maximum sweep, minimum mesh, and gear obstruction requirements of the Northeast Multispecies regulations.  Trawl gear is not allowed in the northern scallop access areas (Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and Nantucket Lightship).

Limited Access General Category scallop vessels fishing west of 72°30’ W. longitude in the Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area, may fish for scallops with trawl gear provided they comply with all applicable trawl gear restrictions, which depend on the species retained, including scallops.

Maximum sweep:   The trawl sweep of nets shall not exceed 144 ft, as measured by the total length of the footrope that is directly attached to the webbing, unless the net is properly stowed and not available for immediate use.

Minimum mesh size:   The mesh size for any scallop trawl net in all areas shall not be smaller than 5.5 inches.  However, if a vessel possesses other species, other mesh size restrictions may apply.

Scallop Trawl Gear Stowage:   Scallop vessels may transit closed areas and access areas (excluding Closed Area II and Elephant Trunk Closed Area, unless there is a compelling safety reason to do so) on either a scallop access area or open area trip, provided gear is properly stowed.

Chart of Scallop Management Areas

 
(Click to see a full size image of the above chart)

2016 Atlantic Sea Scallop Access Area Coordinates

Hudson Canyon Scallop Access Area
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
H1	39°30′	73°10′
H2	39°30′	72°30′
H3	38°30′	73°30′
H4	38°50′	73°30′
H5	38°50′	73°42′
H1	39°30′	73°10′

Elephant Trunk Scallop Access Area
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
ETAA1	38°30’	74°20’
ETAA2	38°30’	73°50’
ETAA3	38°40’	73°50’
ETAA4	38°40′	73°40′
ETAA5	38°50′	73°40′
ETAA6	38°50′	73°30′
ETAA7	38°10′	73°30′
ETAA8	38°10′	74°20′
ETAA1	38°30′	74°20′

 

Delmarva Scallop Access Area
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
DMV1	38°10′	74°50′
DMV2	38°10′	74°00′
DMV3	37°15′	74°00′
DMV4	37°15′	74°50′
DMV1	38°10′	74°50′

 

The Nantucket North Access Area is open for LAGC IFQ vessels only

Nantucket Lightship North Sea Scallop Access Area - **IFQ only**
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
NLNAA1	40°50′	69°00′
NLNAA2	40°30′	69°00′
NLNAA3	40°30′	69°30′
NLNAA4	40°50′	69°30′
NLNAA1	40°50′	69°00′

 

 

2016 Atlantic Sea Scallop Closed Areas

Closed Area 1
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude	Note
CAIA1	41°26′	68°30′
CAIA2	40°58′	68°30′
CAIA3	40°54.95′	68°53.37′	(1)
CAIA4	41°04′	69°01′	(1)
CAIA1	41°26′	68°30′

¹From Point CAIA3 to Point CAIA4 along the western boundary of Closed Area I, defined in § 648.81(a)(1).

Closed Area 2
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude	Note
CAIIA1	41°00′	67°20′
CAIIA2	41°00′	66°35.8′
CAIIA3	41°18.45'	(1)	(2)
CAIIA4	41°30′	(3)	(2)
CAIIA5	41°30′	67°20′
CAIIA1	41°00′	67°20′

¹The intersection of 41°18.45' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41°18.45' N. lat. and 66°24.89' W. long.

²From Point CAIIA3 connected to Point CAIIA4 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.

³The intersection of 41°30′ N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41°30′ N. lat., 66°34.73′ W. long.

Closed Area 2 Extension
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude	Note
CAIIE1	40°30'	67°20′
CAIIE2	41°00′	67°20′
CAIIE3	41°00′	66°35.8′
CAIIE4	41°18.45′	(1)	(2)
CAIIE5	40°30′	(3)	(2)
CAIIE1	40°30'	67°20′

¹The intersection of  41°18.45′ N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately  41°18.45′ N. lat. and 66°24.89′ W. long.

²From Point CAIIE4 to Point CAIIE5 following the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.

³The intersection of 40°30′ N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately, 65°44.34'W. long.

Nantucket Lightship Closed Area*
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
NLAA1	40°50′	69°30′
NLAA2	40°50′	69°00′
NLAA3	40°33’	69°00’
NLAA4	40°33’	68°48’
NLAA5	40°20’	68°48’
NLAA6	40°20′	69°30′
NLAA1	40°50′	69°30′

*includes the additional closure area

Elephant Trunk Closed Area
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
ETCA 1	38°50’	74°20’
ETCA 2	38°50’	73°40’
ETCA 3	38°40’	73°40’
ETCA 4	38°40’	73°50’
ETCA 5	38°30’	73°50’
ETCA 6	38°30’	74°20’
ETCA 1	38°50’	74°20’

Other Atlantic Sea Scallop Management Area Coordinates

NGOM Scallop Management Area
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
NGOM1	42°20'	Massachusetts Shoreline
NGOM2	42°20'	69°40'
NGOM3	42°49.5'	69°40'
NGOM4	43°12'	69°00'
NGOM5	43°41'	68°00'
G2	43°58'	67°22'
G1	(1)	(1)

⁽¹⁾Northward along the irregular U.S.-Canada maritime boundary to the shoreline 

 

GOM Scallop Dredge Exemption Area
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
SM1	41°35′	70°00′
SM2	41°35′	69°40′
SM3	42°49.5′	69°40′
SM4	43°12′	69°00′
SM5	43°41′	68°00′
SM6	43°58′	67°22′
SM7	(1)	(1)

⁽¹⁾ Northward along the irregular U.S.-Canada maritime boundary to the shoreline 

 

Great South Channel Scallop Dredge Exemption Area
Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
GSC 1	42°06′	69°40′
GSC 2	41°30′	69°10′
GSC 3	41°30′	69°23′
GSC 4	40°50′	68°49.2′
GSC 5	40°50′	69°29.46′
GSC 6	41°10′	69°50′
GSC 7	41°10′	70°00′
GSC 8	41°35′	70°00′
GSC 9	41°35′	69°40′

 

Southern New England Scallop Dredge Exemption Area 

(A) Bounded on the west, south and east by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
Sc1	(1)	72°30′
Sc2	40°00′	72°30′
Sc3	40°00′	71°40′
Sc4	39°50′	71°40′
Sc5	39°50′	70°00′
Sc6	(2)	70°00′
Sc7	(3)	70°00′
Sc8	(4)	70°00′

⁽¹⁾South facing shoreline of Long Island, NY
⁽²⁾South facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA
⁽³⁾North facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA
⁽⁴⁾South facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA 

(B) Bounded on the northwest by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Point	N. Latitude	W. Longitude
Sc9	41°00′	(1)
Sc10	41°00′	71°40′
Sc11	(2)	71°40′

⁽¹⁾East facing shoreline of the south fork of Long Island, NY
⁽²⁾South facing shoreline of RI

 

The Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area

This area is bounded on the east by the western boundary of the Southern New England Dredge Exemption area, as described above.

Protected Resources and Marine Mammal Regulations

It is illegal to harvest or possess protected species unless otherwise specified under the regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act or Marine Mammal Protection Act. Please see links below for more information or contact NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Office Protected Resources Division at (978) 281-9328.

Sea Turtles

• Handling and Resuscitation Requirements
• Please see the Gear tab for more information regarding Turtle Deflector Dredge (TDD) and chain mat requirements for the scallop fishery.

Protected Fish Species

• Atlantic Sturgeon - Endangered and threatened
• Shortnose Sturgeon – Endangered
• Atlantic Salmon - The Gulf of Maine (GOM) distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic salmon is endangered. 

Marine Mammals

• Reporting injured or dead marine mammal caught in fishing gear