Atlantic Shellfish Bottom Trawl Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category |
III |
Estimated Number of Participants |
>58 |
Target Species |
Various shellfish species. Includes but is not limited to Calico scallop, Northern shrimp, Atlantic sea scallop, crab, whelk, and American lobster. |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans |
N/A |
Observer Coverage |
Observer coverage is mandated by the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act. Since this is a Category III fishery, observer coverage under the MMPA is not required. |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured |
None documented |
Basis for Current Classification
No documented cases of marine mammal interactions.
Distribution
Extends from Maine through Florida.
Gear Description
Type of otter trawl similar to flatfish trawl designed to catch various shellfish.
Management
Managed through Federal and interstate fishery management plans.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) |
III (2005) |
Original Number of Participants |
972 |
Basis for Original Classification |
This fishery was added to encompass the calico scallops trawl, crab trawl, Georgia/South Carolina/Maryland whelk trawl, Gulf of Maine/Mid-Atlantic sea scallops trawl, and Gulf of Maine northern shrimp trawl. It is considered a Category III fishery because these fisheries have no documented interactions with marine mammals. |
Past Names |
N/A |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) |
N/A |
Timeline of Changes
2013 |
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2012 |
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2011 |
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