Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Emergency Rule

Résumé

This rule continues management measures implemented by a June 16, 2006, emergency interim final rule that were set to expire on December 13, 2006. In the June 16, 2006, emergency action, NMFS implemented an observer service provider program for the Atlantic sea scallop (scallop) fishery including criteria for becoming an approved observer service provider, observer certification criteria, decertification criteria, and observer deployment logistics. Through the emergency rule, NMFS re-activated the industry-funded observer program implemented under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) through a scallop total allowable catch (TAC) and days-at- sea (DAS) set-aside program that helps vessel owners defray the cost of carrying observers. Under the emergency action, scallop vessel owners, operators, or vessel managers are required to procure certified fishery observers for specified scallop fishing trips from an approved observer service provider. The emergency rule maintains the existing requirements for scallop vessel owners to pay for observers whether or not scallop TAC or DAS set-aside is available. This extension of the emergency rule ensures that observers can con