 The 2021 Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) scallop fishery opened on April 1, 2021, under default specifications set by Framework 32. We are reviewing the final 2021 specifications (i.e., Framework 33) and, if approved, will implement them as soon as possible. The limited access general category (LAGC) portion of the NGOM total allowable catch (TAC) that would be implemented through Framework 33 (119,222 lb) is lower than the Framework 32 default TAC (167,500 lb).
The NGOM remains open to fishing. However, we project that the Framework 33 fishing year 2021 TAC (119,222 lb) has been reached. Framework 33 has not been approved, so we are monitoring the NGOM fishery based on the Framework 32 default TAC (167,500 lb).
If Framework 33 is implemented and the LAGC NGOM fleet exceeds its portion of the TAC, any overage would result in a pound-for-pound deduction against the NGOM TAC in a future year. Further, an overage could have a detrimental impact on the scallop resource on Jeffreys Ledge and in Ipswich Bay.
For landings and trip information visit our quota monitoring page.
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