NMFS Proposes Regulations to Implement Amendment 7 to Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan

Summary

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing new regulations to reduce fishing mortality rates in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, aiming to eliminate overfishing and rebuild biomass in accordance with the Sustainable Fisheries Act. The proposed regulations would limit fishing effort in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) through 2008, starting with a significant reduction in allowable days-at-sea (DAS) for vessels from 2000, with a less severe reduction proposed for 1999.