2022 Fishing Year Limited Access Allocations for the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery

The following information describes new measures implemented through Framework Adjustment 34 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan and a summary of how they may affect your fishing plans and activities for the 2022 fishing year. We have also included reminders of some current requirements.

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Updated 2022 Days-At-Sea (DAS) Allocations

Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations

Permit Category	2022 DAS
Full-Time	24.0
Part-Time	9.6

 

2022 Rotational Closures

The following areas are closed for scallop fishing year 2022 (see map above and coordinates below):

• Closed Area II-East
• Nantucket Lightship-North
• Nantucket Lightship-Triangle
• NEW AREA: **Nantucket Lightship-West**
• NEW AREA: **New York Bight**

Fishing Year 2022 Access Area Allocations

For fishing year 2022 and the start of 2023, Framework 34 keeps the Closed Area II, Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep Access Area, and Closed Area I Access Area open as access areas. However, Framework 34 will not allocate any additional landings from Closed Area I for the limited access fleet (see below).

Full-time Access Area Allocations:  The table below provides the limited access full-time allocations for all of the access areas, which can be taken in as many trips as needed, so long as you do not exceed the possession limit on each trip.

 **Framework 34 implements a new access area possession limit of 15,000 lb for full-time limited access vessels.**

Access Area Full-Time Limited Access Vessel Allocations and Trip Possession Limits

Rotational access area	Scallop possession limit	2022 Scallop allocation
Closed Area II	15,000 lb per trip	30,000 lb
Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep	15,000 lb per trip	15,000 lb
Total		45,000 lb

 

Part-time Access Area Allocations: The table below provides the limited access part-time allocations for two of the access areas, which can be taken in as many trips as needed, so long as you do not exceed the possession limit on each trip.

**Framework 34 implements a new access area possession limit of 9,000 lb for part-time limited access vessels.**

Access Area Part-Time Limited Access Vessel Allocations and Trip Possession Limits

Rotational access area	Scallop possession limit	2022 Scallop allocation
Closed Area II	9,000 lb per trip	9,000 lb
Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep	9,000 lb per trip	9,000 lb
Total		18,000 lb

 

Framework 34 continues the existing seasonal closure in Closed Area II to reduce bycatch of northern windowpane flounder and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder. For the 2022 fishing year, the seasonal closure in Closed Area II will occur from August 15-November 15.

**Closed Area II will be closed from August 15 - November 15 for the 2022 fishing year.**

Changes to Limited Access Vessels' One-for-One Access Area Allocation Exchanges

Framework 34 allows full-time limited access vessels to exchange access area allocation in 7,500-lb increments. The owner of a vessel issued a full-time limited access scallop permit is able to exchange unharvested scallop pounds allocated into an access area for another full-time limited access vessel's unharvested scallop pounds allocated into another access area. For example, a full-time vessel may exchange 7,500 lb from one access area for 7,500 lb allocated to another full-time vessel for another access area. Further, a full-time vessel may exchange 15,000 lb from one access area for 15,000 lb allocated to another full-time vessel for another access area. One-for-one access area allocations for part-time limited access vessels must occur in the increments of a possession limit, i.e., 9,000 lb. The access area exchange form can be found here:

• Full-Time Access Area Exchange Form  
• Part-Time Access Area Exchange Form

Crew Restrictions for Trips in Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep

The scallops in the Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep are expected to have lower yield than similar sized scallops in other areas. Because these scallops are smaller than those normally harvested in the area rotation program, for fishing year 2022, vessels are allowed two additional crew members aboard both limited access full-time (10 in total) and limited access full-time small dredge vessels (8 in total).

Closed Area I:  Access only for Research Set-Aside (RSA) Compensation and Limited Access General Category

Because of the limited amount of biomass in the Closed Area I to support a full limited access trip, Framework 34 will not allocate any landings from Closed Area I to the limited access fleet. Closed Area I will only be available for limited access general category access area trips and RSA compensation fishing. 

Access Area Carryover

Beginning April 1, 2022, and through the first 60 days of the fishing year, limited access vessels may fish their remaining unharvested 2021 access area scallop allocation. These trips must begin no later than May 30, 2022.  After that date, any unused 2021 access area allocation expires.

• For carryover trips declared after April 1, 2022, full-time and part-time vessels are subject to the fishing 2022 possession limits (i.e., 15,000 lb for full-time and 9,000 lb for part-time) on all access area trips.  
  • For example, if a full-time vessel has 2,000 lb of 2021 Closed Area II allocation remaining and it makes a Closed Area II trip for 15,000 lb.  The first 2,000 lb would come off of the 2021 Closed Area II allocation, and the remaining 13,000 lb would come off of the 2022 Closed Area II allocation.
• For carryover trips declared prior to April 1, 2022, full-time and part-time vessels are subject to the fishing 2021 possession limits (i.e., 18,000 lb for full-time and 14,400 lb for part-time) on all access area trips.  
• A vessel can combine carryover trips and 2022 trips provided there is 2022 allocation available in that area and it does not exceed the possession limit on any one trip.
  • However, vessels may not exceed the 15,000 lb possession limit on any trip landing both 2021 and 2022 allocation.

**IMPORTANT** Fishing Year 2021 Carryover for Mid-Atlantic Access Area (MAAA)

Framework 34 reverts the MAAA to open area after the 60-day carryover period ends to allow vessels to harvest any remaining fishing year 2021 MAAA allocation (through May 30, 2022). On May 31, 2022, the MAAA will revert to open bottom. The New York Bight Rotational Closure will be effective on April 1, 2022; however, the portion of the New York Bight rotational closure that overlaps with the MAAA will continue to be accessible for vessels fishing carryover trips through May 30, 2022.

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Important Access Area Program Reminders

Northern Windowpane Flounder Accountability Measure Area in Effect Fishing Year 2022

You are required to comply with the gear restrictions described below for fishing year 2022, April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023. In fishing year 2020, the scallop fleet exceeded its sub-annual catch limit (ACL) for northern windowpane flounder by 290 percent.  

Because the scallop fleet exceeded its northern windowpane flounder sub-ACL in fishing year 2020, the Georges Bank Accountability Measure Area will become a windowpane flounder gear restricted area April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023.  Dredge gear must meet the description below in the gear restricted area. In addition, vessels may not fish for scallops with trawl gear in the gear restricted area when the accountability measure is in effect.

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Gear Restriction

When a vessel is subject to this gear restricted area, the vessel will be required to fish with dredges as follows:

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 on the top of a scallop dredge (twine top) does not exceed 1.5:1 overall.

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Crew Limits

Limited access vessels are restricted to eight individuals (10 individuals in Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep), including the captain. Limited access vessels fishing in the small dredge program are limited to six individuals (8 individuals in Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep), including the captain. Crew limits for vessels on open area DAS trips remain at seven individuals for both full-time and part-time vessels and five individuals for small dredge vessels.

Reporting Requirements for All Scallop Trips

You need to submit a scallop pre-landing notification form through your Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) unit prior to returning to port at the end of each access area and DAS trip, including trips where no scallops are landed.

Access Area Allocation Monitoring

Although vessel owners are ultimately responsible for tracking their own scallop access area landings and ensuring they do not exceed their annual allocations, NOAA Fisheries will compile dealer-reported scallop landing records with access area trip declarations. The information will be available on the web-based allocation monitoring tool, Fish Online, which each vessel owner can access and review. If vessel owners/operators have questions about the data they are seeing in Fish Online then they should contact our Vessel Trip Reporting Office at (978) 281-9246. Questions on the accounting rules should be directed to the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315.

Observer Program Updates

Set-Aside Compensation

The access area compensation credit for limited access vessels is 200 lb per day, in addition to the vessel’s possession limit for each day or part of a day an observer is on board. The observer compensation credit can be harvested on a subsequent trip; however, you must remain within the trip’s possession limit when an observer is not onboard. The open area compensation rate for limited access vessels fishing under DAS is 0.08 DAS per DAS fished (the vessel is charged 0.92 DAS for each DAS fished with an observer onboard). We monitor the compensation rates and the observer set-aside use 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. 

Call In and Survival Craft Requirements

Please read the following letters regarding important information and updates.

• Industry Funded Scallop Call-In Guide
• Industry Funded Scallop Program Call-In Requirements
• Survival Craft Requirements Regarding Capacity

Fishing Year 2022 Flatfish ACLs in the Scallop Fishery

Stock	Scallop sub-ACL
Georges Bank Yellowtail Flounder	41,888 lb*
SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder	4,409 lb
Northern Windowpane Flounder	68,343 lb
Southern Windowpane Flounder	284,396 lb

*Proposed by the New England Fishery Management Council in Framework Adjustment 63 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan

Other Reminders

Shell Stock Restrictions

• Vessels may not possess more than 50 bu of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS demarcation line, unless fishing under the state waters exemption program.
• A vessel declared into the Sea Scallop Access Area Program may not possess more than 50 bu of in-shell scallops outside of the access area.
• Vessels fishing in the Georges Bank paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) closure area may not retain in-shell scallops.

Scallop Pre-Landing Notification

You must send a VMS Scallop Pre-Landing Notification form on scallop trip at least 6 hours before arrival on the way back to port, or immediately after fishing ends if less than 6 hours before arrival.  Forms must include the:

• Operator’s permit number;
• Vessel trip report (VTR) serial number recorded from that trip's VTR;
• Estimated amount of scallop meats and/or bushels to be landed;
• Estimated time and date of arrival in port; and
• Port city and state at which the scallops will be landed.

Daily Scallop Catch Reports

Scallop catch reports are required to be submitted daily for vessels that fish for, possess, or retain scallops and not also fishing under a Northeast multispecies DAS or sector allocation. These reports must be submitted in 24-hour intervals for each day of fishing that begins at 0000 hours and ends at 2400 hours. The reports must be submitted before 9:00 a.m. local time each day for the previous day’s catch. Each report must include the:

• Operator’s permit number;
• VTR serial number;
• Date fish were caught;
• Total pounds of scallop meets kept; and
• Total pounds of all other fish kept.

Stellwagen Bank Historic Shipwreck Avoidance

NOAA Fisheries, in conjunction with NOAA Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Sanctuary), requests that vessels avoid shipwreck sites on southern Stellwagen Bank within the Sanctuary by keeping gear 400 feet away from each of the site locations listed below. For details on the location of the wrecks please visit the Stellwagen Bank Historic Shipwreck Avoidance Webpage

Groundfish Possession Limits on Access Area Trips

Unless otherwise prohibited, limited access scallop vessels, also issued a valid groundfish permit, that have declared into a trip and that are fishing within the Sea Scallop Access Areas, may possess and land, per trip, up to a maximum of 1,000 lb of all groundfish combined. Additionally, the restrictions for Atlantic cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder are as follows:

• Atlantic cod - Vessels may possess up to 100 lb of Atlantic cod per trip, provided such fish is for personal use only (you cannot sell, trade, or barter cod caught from access areas).
• Haddock - Vessels may possess and land haddock up to the overall possession limit of all groundfish combined, except that vessels cannot possess or land haddock from January 1 through June 30.
• Yellowtail flounder - PROHIBITED

Groundfish Possession Limits on Scallop DAS Trips

Unless otherwise prohibited, limited access scallop vessels also issued a valid groundfish permit that have declared into the scallop DAS program may possess and land, per trip:

• Groundfish - A maximum of 300 lb of all species combined.
• Yellowtail flounder - PROHIBITED.

Protected Species Reminders

Seasonal Turtle Chain Mat and Turtle Deflector Dredge (TDD) 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.
• Gear Descriptions
• Commercial Fishing Reporting of Protected Species Takes
• Protected Species Handling and Resuscitation Requirements and Guidelines (PDF, 1 page)

Fishing Year 2022 Rotational Area Coordinates

Access Areas for Fishing Year 2022

Closed Area I Access Area (RSA Only)

Point	N latitude	W longitude
CAIA1	41°30′	68°30′
CAIA2	40°58′	68°30′
CAIA3	40°54.95′	68°53.37′
CAIA4	41°30′	69°23′
CAIA1	41°30′	68°30′

 

Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep Access Area

Point	N latitude	W longitude
NLSSD1	40°22′	69°30′
NLSSD2	40°15′	69°30′
NLSSD3	40°15′	69°00′
NLSSD4	40°28′	69°00′
NLSSD5	40°28′	69°17′
NLSSD1	40°22′	69°30′

 

Closed Area II Access Area

Point	N latitude	W longitude	Note
CAII1	41°11′	67°20′
CAII2	41°11′	66°41′
CAII3	41°0′	66°41′
CAII4	41°0′	( 1)	( 2)
CAII5	40°40′	( 3)	( 2)
CAII6	40°40′	67°20′
CAII1	41°11′	67°20′

¹ The intersection of 41°0′ N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41°0′ N lat. and 66°09.33′ W long.

² From Point CAIISWE 4 connected to Point CAIISWE5 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.

³ The intersection of 40°40′ N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 40°40′ N lat. and 65°52.61′ W long.

Closed Areas for Fishing Year 2022

Closed Area II-East Closed Area

Point	N latitude	W longitude	Note
CAIIE1	41°30′	67°20′
CAIIE2	41°30′	( 1)	( 2)
CAIIE3	41°00′	( 3)	( 2)
CAIIE4	41°00′	66°41′
CAIIE5	41°11′	66°41′
CAIIE6	41°11′	67°20′
CAIIE1	41°30′	67°20′

¹ The intersection of 41°30′ N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41°30′ N lat., 66°34.73′ W long.

² From Point CAIIE2 connected to Point CAIIE3 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.

³ The intersection of 41°00′ N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41°00′ N lat. and 66°09.33′ W long.

Nantucket Lightship-Triangle Closed Area

Point	N latitude	W longitude
NLST1	40°28′	69°30′
NLST2	40°28′	69°17′
NLST3	40°22′	69°30′
NLST1	40°28′	69°30′

 

Nantucket Lightship-North Closed Area

Point	N latitude	W longitude
NLSN1	40°50′	69°30′
NLSN2	40°50′	69°00′
NLSN3	40°28′	69°00′
NLSN4	40°28′	69°30′
NLSN1	40°50′	69°30′

 

Nantucket Lightship-West Scallop Closed Area

Point	N latitude	W longitude
NLSW1	40°43.44'	70° 20'
NLSW2	40°43.44'	70° 00'
NLSW3	40° 43.44'	69° 30'
NLSW4	40° 20'	69° 30'
NLSW5	40° 20'	70° 00'
NLSW6	40° 26.63'	70° 20'
NLSW1	40°43.44’	70° 20'

 

New York Bight Scallop Closed Area

Point	N latitude	W longitude
NYB1	40°00′	73°20′
NYB2	40°00′	72°30′
NYB3	39°20′	72°30'
NYB4	39°20′	73°20'
NYB1	40°00′	73°20′

 

Georges Bank Accountability Measure Area

Point	N latitude	W longitude	Note
GBAM1	41°30′	67°20′
GBAM2	41°30′	(1)	(2)
GBAM3	40°30′	(3)	(2)
GBAM4	40°30′	67°20′
GBAM1	41°30′	67°20′

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.