Expansion of the Scallop Dredge Exemption Areas Under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries is implementing modifications to the regulations implementing the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan to allow vessels issued a limited access general category individual fishing quota sea scallop permit to fish for scallops with small dredges in an expanded area. In addition, NOAA Fisheries is modifying open area days-at-sea trip reporting procedures for limited access scallop vessels. This action is intended to provide consistency, flexibility, and potential economic benefit to the scallop fleet.