Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Scallop Fishery Off Alaska; Change in Season Dates

Résumé

NMFS proposes to change the dates of the scallop fishing season for Registration Area D (Yakutat) and Registration Area E (Prince William Sound), and Registration Area H exclusive of the Kamishak District. The new fishing season would begin on July 1 and end on February 15 of the following year. The intended effect of this action is to consolidate the scallop fishing seasons in Alaska in the summer months to improve vessel safety and product quality, and to maintain consistency between Federal and State of Alaska fishing season regulations. This action is necessary to promote the conservation and management objectives of the Fishery Management Plan for the Scallop Fishery off Alaska (FMP).