Effective April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024
NOAA Fisheries is announcing a final rule to implement specifications and management measures for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery for the 2023 fishing year (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024). This rule will result in projected landings of 25 million lb of sea scallop, a 9-million-lb reduction from fishing year 2022’s projected landings. This is due primarily to a decrease in harvestable biomass and a lack of significant scallop recruitment in recent years.
Framework 36 also:
- Sets annual catch limits for the limited access and limited access general category fleets, as well as days-at-sea allocations and sea scallop access area trip allocations for the 2023 fishing year.
- Maintains the existing seasonal closure in Area II to reduce bycatch of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder.
- Closes the Elephant Trunk and Area I Rotational Areas to fishing to protect small scallops to protect small scallops to support rotational access area trips to the fleet in future years.
For more information read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register and our permit holder bulletins: Limited Access, Limited Access General Category, and Northern Gulf of Maine.
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