Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery

Riepilogo

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) announces its intention to prepare Framework 14 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The intent of this action is to adjust the limited access scallop days-at-sea (DAS) allocations for the next 2 fishing years (March 1, 2001, through February 28, 2003); create a restricted access program for the scallop Mid-Atlantic closed areas (Hudson Canyon South and Virginia Beach), scheduled to reopen on March 1, 2001; and to close additional areas to scallop fishing to protect concentrations of juvenile scallops, reduce fishing mortality, and increase yield per recruit. The Council, in coordination with NMFS, also announces its intent to prepare an SEIS for the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to analyze the impacts of management alternatives.