Northern Gulf of Maine Management for Fishing Year 2025
The Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Scallop Management Area opened on April 1, 2025, under default specifications from Framework Adjustment 38. These specifications set a default NGOM Set-Aside of 315,449 lb. After fully harvesting this set-aside, the NGOM fishery was closed on April 11, 2025.
Framework Adjustment 39 increases the NGOM Set-Aside to 675,563 lb and reopens the NGOM fishery on 0001, April 21, 2025, until the remaining set-aside amount is harvested. NOAA Fisheries will be closely monitoring the fishery and will close the NGOM scallop fishery when the set-aside has been reached.
NGOM Scallop Fishery Landing Limits for Fishing Year 2025
Framework Adjustment 39 implements total allowable landings (TAL) in the NGOM of 712,093 lb for fishing year 2025. This action deducts 25,000 lb of scallops from the NGOM TAL to increase the overall Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) that funds scallop research. In addition, this action deducts one percent of the NGOM Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) from the NGOM TAL to support the Industry-Funded Scallop (IFS) Observer Program to help defray the cost to scallop vessels that carry an observer.
NGOM TAL | 712,093 lb |
1 percent NGOM ABC for Observers | 11,530 lb |
RSA Contribution | 25,000 lb |
NGOM Set-Aside | 675,563 lb |
NGOM Annual Projected Landings (APL) | (*) |
* NGOM APL is set when the NGOM Set-Aside is above 800,000 lb.
Possession Limit
The possession limit to all vessels on a NGOM trip, unless otherwise increased due to observer coverage as noted below, is 200 lb/trip (1,666 lb shell stock/trip).
- The in-shell (shell stock) possession limit of scallops is a weight conversion (8.33 lb of in-shell scallops = 1 lb of scallop meats).
- Vessels issued an LAGC NGOM scallop permit and IFQ vessels fishing in the NGOM may possess no more than 1,666 lb in-shell scallops shoreward of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) demarcation line.
NEW! Northern Gulf of Maine Permitted Vessel Transit
Framework 39 implements a new allowance for LAGC Category B permitted vessels to possess scallops and transit, with gear stowed, outside of the NGOM scallop management area when on a NGOM declared trip. This change allows for LAGC category B permitted vessels to possess scallops, with gear stowed, and transit to ports outside of the NGOM Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) demarcation such as Scituate, MA, or Provincetown, MA. Vessels issued a NGOM permit fishing in the NGOM may not exceed a maximum of 1,666 lb (756 kg) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) demarcation line.
Important Reminders
IFQ Requirement for IFQ Vessels
For IFQ vessels, all scallop harvest counts against your IFQ, regardless of where it is caught, including state waters and the NGOM.
LAGC Calendar Day Landing Restriction
LAGC IFQ and NGOM vessels may not land scallops more than once per calendar day. For example, an LAGC vessel that lands scallops on Monday may depart on a second trip on the same day it landed scallops (Monday), but cannot land scallops again until Tuesday.
Scallop Pre-Landing Notification
LAGC IFQ and NGOM vessels must send a VMS Scallop Pre-Landing Notification form at least 6 hours before arrival on the way back to port, or immediately after fishing ends if less than 6 hours before arrival. In addition, you must submit this form on trips that are not declared as scallop trips, but on which scallops are kept incidentally.
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;
- Port city and state at which the scallops will be landed; and
Whether any scallops were caught in the NGOM.
Reminder: Prohibition on Transiting Scallop Rotational Areas and the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area
All vessels fishing under a scallop declaration are prohibited from entering or transiting any scallop rotational areas, including the Platts Bank Scallop Rotational Closed Area (see below), and the Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area.
Platts Bank Scallop Rotational Closed Area
Framework 38 closed the Platts Bank Scallop Rotational Closed Area through fishing year 2025. This closure protects a substantial number of small scallops that have not been recruited into the fishery.
Platts Bank Scallop Rotational Closed Area Coordinates
Point | N latitude | W longitude |
PB1 | 43° 13.8’ | 69° 43.8’ |
PB2 | 43° 13.8’ | 69° 31.2’ |
PB3 | 43° 5.4’ | 69° 31.2’ |
PB4 | 43° 5.4’ | 69° 43.8’ |
PB1 | 43° 13.8’ | 69° 43.8’ |
Observer Program Updates
Set-Aside Compensation
If NOAA Fisheries selects your vessel for an observed trip, and you are issued an observer, you will receive an observer compensation credit of 125-lb per trip if the observer set-aside has not been fully harvested. You can only fish those additional pounds on the observed trip above the regular possession limit of 200 lb/trip (i.e., 325 lb/trip total).
We monitor the compensation rates and observer set-aside use closely throughout the year. If a different rate is necessary to account for unexpected fishery conditions, we will change the compensation rate as appropriate and necessary.
Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS)
Scallop vessel owners and operators are required to notify NOAA Fisheries of their intent to fish using the Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS) instead of the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system.
The process allows vessels to enter their own notifications online using the PTNS website. Vessels are able to log into the PTNS website with their individual Fish Online username and password. This process serves as the primary means of trip notification and trip changes. Vessels can submit a notification anytime between 10 days and 48 hours before the intended trip, a decrease in the current 72-hour notification requirement.
Scallop permit holders are encouraged to visit the Scallop PTNS webpage for more details.
Resources:
- PTNS Scallop Vessel User Guide (PDF, 18 pages)
- PTNS Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 10 pages)
- Instructional video
- Survival Craft Requirements Regarding Capacity
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
