[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 61 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16091-16111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3039]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No.060314069-6069-01; I.D. 030306B]
RIN 0648-AT25


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop 
Fishery; Framework Adjustment 18

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS proposes regulations to implement Framework Adjustment 18 
(Framework 18) to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan 
(FMP) which was developed by the New England Fishery Management Council 
(Council). Framework 18 proposes the following management measures: 
Scallop fishery specifications for 2006 and 2007 (open area days-at-sea 
(DAS)

[[Page 16092]]

and Scallop Access Area trip allocations); scallop Area Rotation 
Program adjustments; and revisions to management measures that would 
improve administration of the FMP. In addition, a seasonal closure of a 
proposed Scallop Access Area is proposed to reduce potential 
interactions between the scallop fishery and sea turtles, and to reduce 
finfish and scallop bycatch mortality.

DATES: Comments must be received at the appropriate address or fax 
number (see ADDRESSES) by 5 p.m., local time, on April 14, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Mail: Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. 
Mark the outside of the envelope, ``Comments on Framework 18.''
     Email: [email protected]
     Fax: (978) 281-9135
     Electronically through the Federal e-Rulemaking portal: 
http//www.regulations.gov.
    Written comments regarding the burden-hour estimate or other 
aspects of the collection-of-information requirement contained in this 
proposed rule should be submitted to the Regional Administrator at the 
address above and by e-mail to [email protected], or fax to 
(202) 395-7285.
    Copies of Framework 18 and its Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), 
including the Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA), and the 
Environmental Assessment (EA), are available on request from Paul J. 
Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 
Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. These documents are also available 
online at http://www.nefmc.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter W. Christopher, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, 978-281-9288; fax 978-281-9135.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Council adopted Framework 18 on November 17, 2005, and 
submitted it to NMFS on December 16, 2005, for review and approval. 
Framework 18 was developed and adopted by the Council to meet the FMP's 
requirement to adjust biennially the management measures for the 
scallop fishery. The FMP requires the biennial adjustments to ensure 
that the measures meet the target fishing mortality rate (F) and other 
goals of the FMP and achieve optimum yield (OY) from the scallop 
resource on a continuing basis. This rule proposes measures for the 
2006 and 2007 fishing years, which are described in detail below.

Proposed Measures

1. Revised open area DAS allocations

    The number of open area DAS allocated to limited access vessels are 
required to be adjusted every 2 years to achieve OY at the target F 
(F=0.2) for the scallop resource. Since the calculation of overall 
fishing mortality also includes the mortality in controlled access 
areas, the calculation of the open area DAS allocations depends on the 
Access Area Program measures, including the rotation schedule, 
management measures, and Access Area trip allocations. Based on the 
Access Area Program measures proposed in Framework 18, the total number 
of open area DAS would be set at 20,000 open area DAS, resulting in the 
following vessel-specific DAS allocations: Full-time vessels would be 
allocated 52 DAS in 2006 and 51 DAS in 2007; part-time vessels would be 
allocated 21 DAS in 2006 and 20 DAS in 2007; and occasional vessels 
would receive 4 DAS for each year.
    Since Framework 18, if approved, will be implemented after the 
start of the 2006 fishing year (March 1, 2006), and would reduce the 
2006 DAS allocations, some scallop vessels may fish more DAS between 
March 1, 2006, and the implementation of Framework 18. Under current 
regulations, full-time, part-time, and occasional vessels are allocated 
67, 27, and 6 DAS, respectively for the 2006 fishing year. Framework 18 
would reduce the DAS allocations in the 2006 fishing year to 52, 21, 
and 4 DAS, for full-time, part-time, and occasional vessels, 
respectively. Part-time and occasional vessels would be most likely to 
exceed the proposed Framework 18 allocations for the 2006 fishing year 
because of their lower DAS allocations under both current regulation 
and Framework 18. To ensure that the conservation goals of the Scallop 
FMP are maintained, Framework 18 therefore proposes that any vessel 
that uses DAS in the 2006 fishing year in excess of the final number 
allocated to that vessel for the 2006 fishing year under Framework 18 
would have the excess DAS deducted from its 2007 fishing year DAS 
allocations. Although this could potentially allow F to exceed the F 
target for the 2006 fishing year, the deduction from the 2007 
allocations would neutralize the impacts on the resource over the 2-
year period.

2. Revised rotational management schedule for the Closed Area I (CAI), 
Closed Area II (CAII), and Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (NLCA) 
Scallop Access Areas

    Under existing regulations, the CAI and the NLCA Access Areas are 
scheduled to be open in 2006 and CAII and the NLCA are scheduled to be 
open in 2007. Framework 18 proposes to revise that schedule by opening 
the CAII and NLCA Access Areas in 2006 and CAI and NLCA in 2007. The 
revised schedule is intended to address changes in scallop resource 
abundance in the CAII and NLCA Access Areas that supports higher trip 
allocations in those areas in 2006. In Oceana v. Evans, et al., (Civil 
Action No. 04-810, D.D.C., August 2, 2005, and October 6, 2005), the 
court vacated the essential fish habitat closures implemented under 
Framework 16 to the Scallop FMP and Framework 39 to the Northeast 
Multispecies FMP (69 FR 63460, November 2, 2004), which would have 
enlarged the CAI Access Area. Consequently, the Council opted to shift 
potential CAI trips in 2006 to CAII, and to close the CAI Access Area 
in 2006. With a smaller Access Area in CAI, the analysis in Framework 
18 indicates that scallop catch rates would decline, causing increases 
in fishing time, bycatch, and habitat effects in CAI, with no notable 
benefits. The analysis in Framework 18 also indicates that CAII is 
capable of supporting an additional trip (from CAI) without exceeding 
the rotational area F target (F=0.2 to 0.3), which is specified in the 
FMP to achieve OY from the Scallop Access Areas.

3. Trip allocations, catch limits and seasons for Scallop Access Areas

    The Access Area program regulations authorize limited access 
vessels to take a specified number of trips in each controlled Access 
Area, with a scallop possession limit for each trip. The number of 
trips and the possession limit are proposed to maintain F at 0.2 to 0.3 
within the Access Areas. Vessels are allocated a maximum number of 
trips into each Access Area, though this allocation can be increased 
through an exchange of a trip(s) with another vessel. The following 
explains the proposed trip allocations for the 2006 and 2007 fishing 
years:
    In the 2006 fishing year, the maximum number of trips a vessel 
could take in the CAII and NLCA Access Areas would be three and two 
trips, respectively. A full-time scallop vessel

[[Page 16093]]

would be allocated three trips in the CAII Access Area, and two trips 
in the NLCA Access Area. A part-time scallop vessel would be allocated 
two trips, which could be distributed into the Access Areas as follows: 
One trip in CAII Access Area and one trip in the NLCA Access Area; two 
trips in the CAII Access Area; or two trips in the NLCA Access Area. An 
occasional vessel would be allocated one trip, which could be taken in 
either the CAII or NLCA Access Area. The scallop possession limit for 
Access Area trips would be 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) for full-time and part-
time vessels, and 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) for occasional vessels.
    In the 2007 fishing year, the maximum number of trips a vessel 
could take in the CAI, NLCA, and Elephant Trunk Access Area (ETAA) 
would be one, one, and five, respectively (unless the ETAA allocation 
is adjusted as described in management measure number 4 below). A full-
time scallop vessel would be allocated one trip in the CAI Access Area, 
one trip in the NLCA Access Area, and five trips in the ETAA. A part-
time scallop vessel would be allocated three trips, which could be 
distributed as follows: One trip in the CAI Access Area, one trip in 
the NLCA Access Area, and one trip in the ETAA; one trip in the CAI 
Access Area and two trips in the ETAA; or one trip in the NLCA Access 
Area and two trips in the ETAA; or three trips in the ETAA. An 
occasional vessel would be allocated one trip, which could be taken in 
either the CAI or NLCA Access Areas, or ETAA. The scallop possession 
limit for Access Area trips would be 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) for full-time 
vessels, 16,800 lb (7,620 kg) for part-time vessels, and 7,500 lb 
(3,402 kg) for occasional vessels.
    The ETAA would open for scallop fishing on January 1, 2007, rather 
than at the start of the fishing year on March 1, 2007. The early 
opening is intended to spread out the fishing effort in the ETAA to 
avoid potential negative effects of high levels of fishing effort 
concentrated in a shorter period of time.

4. Regulatory procedure to reduce the number of Scallop Access Area 
trips into the ETAA if updated biomass estimates are available from 
2006 resource survey(s) that identify lower exploitable scallop biomass 
within the ETAA

    The ETAA would open as an Access Area on January 1, 2007. The 
proposed Framework 18 ETAA trip allocations are based on 2004 scallop 
survey information, which was the best scientific information available 
when the Council established the proposed ETAA trip allocations for 
Framework 18. Because the ETAA would open nearly 3 years after the 
resource was surveyed in the area, the biomass estimates used in 
Framework 18 may not reflect the biomass at the time the ETAA opens. 
If, as of January 1, 2007, there is less biomass in the ETAA than the 
2004 estimate, the number of allocated trips would be too high. This 
could result in overharvest of the ETAA under the proposed allocations 
unless there is a provision for adjusting the number of allocated 
trips. Framework 18 would establish a rulemaking process that would 
allow the Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional 
Administrator) to adjust allocations in the ETAA based on updated 
biomass projections resulting from the 2006 resource surveys. To 
provide sufficient time to adjust allocations, if necessary, the survey 
data and analyses of updated exploitable biomass estimates for the area 
must be available prior to December 1, 2006, because Framework 18 
requires NMFS to publish revised trip allocations on or about December 
1, 2006. Framework 18 would require the Regional Administrator to 
publish predetermined revisions of the total allowable catch (TAC) 
specifications and trip allocations specified for a range of estimated 
exploitable biomass levels in the ETAA. Reduced trip allocations would 
ensure that the ETAA allocations do not cause overharvest of the 
scallop biomass in the area. If biomass estimates are lower than 
projected, the number of access trips can be reduced through a 
regulatory action consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act 
using the predetermined values in the table in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i)(F) 
of the proposed regulatory text.

5. Open Area DAS Adjustments when yellowtail flounder catches reach the 
TAC limit allocated to scallop vessels fishing in Georges Bank Access 
Areas

    Under current groundfish regulations, 10 percent of the yellowtail 
flounder TAC specified for harvest for each yellowtail flounder stock 
is allocated to vessels fishing for scallops under the Area Access 
Program in the CAI, CAII, or NLCA Access Areas (9.8 percent for the 
scallop access area fishery and 0.2 percent for vessels participating 
in approved scallop research). If the yellowtail flounder TAC is 
attained in any Access Area, the area is closed to further scallop 
fishing and vessels that have unutilized trips in the affected Access 
Area are authorized to take their unutilized trips in the open fishing 
areas. Framework 18 proposes to allocate the open area DAS for these 
unutilized trips in a manner that maintains the fishing mortality 
objectives for scallops. To do this, Framework 18 proposes a ratio for 
each Access Area that would address differential catch rates between 
Access Areas and open areas. If an Access Area is closed, each vessel 
with unutilized trips would be allocated a specific amount of 
additional open area DAS based on the following ratios: 5.5 DAS per 
unutilized trip in the CAI Access Area; 5.4 DAS per unutilized trip in 
the CAII Access Area; and 4.9 DAS per unused trip in the NLCA Access 
Area. For broken trips for which a vessel has not completed a 
compensation trip, the unutilized compensation days remaining in the 
applicable Access Area would be determined by dividing the pounds of 
scallops authorized for harvest on the compensation trip(s) by 1,500 lb 
(680 kg) (the catch per day used to calculate the possession limit in 
the access areas). For each unutilized compensation trip day in the 
CAI, CAII, or NLCA Access Areas, a vessel would receive 0.458, 0.450, 
and 0.408 DAS, respectively, in open areas. Although not explicitly 
stated in Framework 18, NMFS would also apply these ratios to vessels 
participating in approved research under the scallop research set-aside 
program. Such vessels would be allowed to conduct compensation fishing 
in open areas subject to the same ratio if the yellowtail research set-
aside TAC (equal to two percent of the scallop fishery's overall 
yellowtail TAC set-aside) is harvested. The ratio is intended to equate 
Access Area catch that is limited by possession limit with open area 
trips that would be limited by DAS.

6. Extension of the current Scallop Access Area program in the Hudson 
Canyon Access Area (HCAA) through February 2008 for vessels that have 
unutilized HCAA trips from 2005

    The 2005 scallop resource surveys indicate that scallop biomass in 
the Hudson Canyon area in 2005 was much lower than had been predicted 
in Amendment 10 to the FMP, which was based on 2003 NMFS scallop survey 
results. Catch rates dropped more quickly than had been anticipated, 
and many vessel owners hesitated to take their 2005 HCAA trips. In 
response, to concerns about low catch rates, this proposed action would 
extend the HCAA until February 29, 2008, so that vessel owners with 
unutilized or incomplete trips during the 2005 fishing year could wait 
to complete their trips. This would allow short-term growth of scallops 
in the HCAA that is projected to improve catch rates. This extension 
would also apply to unutilized 2005

[[Page 16094]]

research set-aside that was allocated for harvest in the HCAA.

7. Seasonal closure of the ETAA (September October) to reduce sea 
turtle interactions in the ETAA and reduce scallop and finfish discard 
mortality

    The ETAA would be closed to scallop fishing for a two month period 
(September 1 - October 31). The 2-month closure is intended to provide 
protection for threatened and endangered sea turtles that may interact 
with the scallop fishery in the Mid-Atlantic and to reduce small 
scallop and finfish discard mortality. This closure period was selected 
to reflect a time of year when a relatively high number of sea turtle 
interactions were observed through 2004 in the ETAA, while minimizing 
the potential economic impacts of a longer closure. During this period, 
the analysis in Framework 18 also demonstrates that it is a period of 
high water and air temperatures, which causes higher scallop and 
finfish discard mortality.

8. Closure of an area off of Delaware/Maryland/Virginia on January 1, 
2007

    Framework 18 proposes to close an area to the south of the ETAA, 
known as the Delmarva area. High numbers of small scallops from the 
2003 year class were observed in the 2005 NMFS scallop survey in the 
proposed Delmarva rotational closed area. The area would close on 
January 1, 2007, coinciding with the opening of the ETAA. The Delmarva 
area would remain closed for 3 years, until February 28, 2010, when the 
small scallops would have grown to an optimal size for harvest. The new 
rotational scallop closed area would be consistent with the FMP's 
requirement to adjust the Area Rotation Program by establishing 
rotational closed areas to protect large concentrations of small 
scallops.

9. Elimination of the Scallop Access Area trip exchange program 
deadline in order to allow trip exchanges throughout the year

    The proposed action would allow vessels to exchange controlled 
access area trips at any time during the fishing year, with proper 
notification and approval by NMFS. The current regulations require that 
transactions be submitted by June 1 of each year, but this time 
restriction was found to be unnecessary for adequate monitoring and 
compliance. Therefore, this rule proposes to eliminate the June 1 
deadline.

10. Allowance of trip exchanges of 2006 CAII and/or NLCA Access Area 
trips for 2007 ETAA trips

    In addition to allowing one-for-one exchanges of Access Area trips 
in areas open during the same fishing year (including any unutilized 
HCAA trips under the HCAA extension described above), this rule 
proposes to allow one-to-one trip exchanges of 2006 CAII or NLCA Access 
Area trips and 2007 ETAA trips. Without this proposed measure, the 
owners of Mid-Atlantic vessels who prefer not to fish on Georges Bank 
would not be able to gain a Mid-Atlantic controlled access area trip in 
exchange for a Georges Bank controlled access area trip in 2006. With 
the exception of vessels that have unutilized HCAA trips from 2005, 
there would be no Mid-Atlantic Access Areas open to fishing in 2006.

11. Modification of the Scallop Access Area broken trip program to 
allow unused makeup trips to be carried over to the next fishing year

    The broken trip exemption program allows vessels that terminate an 
Access Area trip prior to catching the full possession limit to return 
to the Access Area to catch the remaining portion of the possession 
limit on a compensation trip. This rule proposes that vessels that 
break a trip within the last 60 days of an open period for an Access 
Area would be allowed to take their compensation trip in the same 
Access Area up to 60 days after the start of the subsequent fishing 
year or season for the Access Area. Vessels would only be allowed to 
take compensation trips in the subsequent fishing year in the same 
Access Area where the original trip was broken and only if the Access 
Area is open in the subsequent fishing year. For example, a vessel 
would not be allowed to carry a compensation trip forward from the 2006 
CAII Access Area into the 2007 fishing year because CAII would be 
closed in 2007. This provision is proposed in order to reduce safety 
risks associated with vessel owners attempting to complete a broken 
trip with limited time left in the fishing year or Access Area season. 
It would also allow vessel owners and operators additional flexibility 
in planning end-of-year Access Area trips. This rule also proposes to 
require vessel operators to enter a trip identification number in the 
vessel's VMS prior to the start of a compensation trip so that NMFS can 
more accurately monitor Access Area activity in the scallop fleet. 
Under current regulations, which do not require such trip 
identification, accounting of vessel's trip allocations in Access Areas 
has been difficult and burdensome, especially if compensation trips are 
terminated before catching the possession limit allowed on that 
compensation trip.

12. Elimination of the scallop vessel crew size limit for Scallop 
Access Area trips only

    This rule proposes to eliminate the seven-person crew limit (five-
person limit for small dredge category vessels) for Access Area trips. 
Limited access vessels on an access area trip would have no limit on 
the number of crew onboard. This action is intended to eliminate 
inefficiencies caused by the crew limit for fishing activity that is 
limited by a possession limit. The crew limit was established to 
control vessels' shucking capacity when fishing under DAS.

Corrections and Clarifications

    This proposed rule includes changes to the scallop regulations to 
improve compliance with, and understanding of regulations. Several 
paragraphs with inappropriate references to other paragraphs or 
sections are proposed to be changed. Some paragraphs contain references 
to the 2004 and/or 2005 fishing years, which are proposed to be 
revised. Additional or revised prohibitions in Sec.  648.14 are 
proposed for clarification. In addition, the following revisions are 
proposed for the reasons stated:
    In Sec.  648.4, paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(D) included initial general 
category application requirements for the 2005 fishing year to 
designate a vessel to a VMS general scallop permit category. Since this 
requirement was for initial designations only, it is deleted. Paragraph 
(a)(2)(ii)(D) of Sec.  648.4 would instead be reserved for future 
regulatory revisions, if necessary.
    In Sec.  648.4, paragraph (c)(2)(iv)(B) would be revised to make 
vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirements for permit applications 
consistent for general scallop and limited access category vessels.
    In Sec. Sec.  648.9 and 648.10, clarifications would be made to VMS 
requirements for scallop vessels, including general category scallop 
vessels, to ensure that regulations clearly identify VMS operation 
requirements for such vessels.
    In Sec.  648.11, paragraph (a)(1) would be added to reflect trip 
notification requirements for scallop vessels for the purpose of 
deploying at-sea observers.
    In Sec.  648.60, paragraph (a) would be revised to be consistent 
with the Access Area restrictions for general scallop vessels specified 
in Sec.  648.60(g).

[[Page 16095]]

    In Sec.  648.60, paragraph (a)(2) would be revised to reference the 
clarified VMS operation requirements specified in Sec.  648.10(b)(4).
    The table of trip allocations in Sec.  648.60(a)(3) would be 
removed, and replaced with text specifying the number of trips per 
limited access permit category, and possible distribution of trips for 
vessels with part-time or occasional permits that have total trip 
allocations that are less than the number of trips for all areas 
combined. This revision is proposed because the table in the current 
regulations is confusing.
    In Sec.  648.60, the text in paragraph (a)(9)(iii) would be removed 
and the paragraph designated as ``Reserved'' because NMFS's observer 
program indicated that the requirement for vessel operators to report 
catch on each observed tow is inconsistent with current observer 
program protocols.
    The yellowtail flounder bycatch TAC allocation for the Area Access 
Program is specified in the NE multispecies regulations in Sec.  
648.85(c). Although Framework 18 is not proposing substantive 
modifications of the NE multispecies regulations, Sec.  648.85(c) is 
revised to remove references to the 2004 and 2005 fishing years. In 
addition, since Framework 16 to the Scallop FMP and Framework 39 to the 
NE Multispecies FMP (69 FR 63460, November 2, 2004) implemented a 
permanent allowance for the yellowtail flounder bycatch TAC under the 
Area Access Program, specific dates in Sec.  648.85(c) would be removed 
to eliminate the need to modify the paragraph each time a new framework 
is completed.

Classification

    At this time, NMFS has not determined that the action that this 
proposed rule would implement is consistent with the national standards 
of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act) and other applicable laws. NMFS, in making that 
determination, will take into account the data, views, and comments 
received during the comment period.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    An IRFA has been prepared pursuant to section 603 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (RFA). The IRFA describes the economic impact that this 
proposed rule, if adopted, would have on small entities. Data, 
information, and impacts discussed in the IRFA below are taken from the 
Framework 18 document (see ADDRESSES). A summary of the analysis 
follows:
    Measures proposed in Framework 18 are intended to improve the 
management of the scallop fishery and to make necessary adjustments to 
the existing management measures, including the FMP's Area Rotation 
Program. A full description of the action and why it is being 
considered is contained in the preamble to this proposed rule. The 
Magnuson-Stevens Act and the FMP (which allows for framework 
adjustments and amendments to improve the management of the scallop 
fishery and to modify the Area Rotation Program), are the legal basis 
for the proposed action. This proposed rule does not duplicate, 
overlap, or conflict with any relevant Federal rules.

Description of the Small Business Entities

    The proposed regulations of Framework 18 would affect vessels with 
limited access scallop and general category permits. According to NMFS 
Northeast Region permit data, 337 vessels were issued limited access 
scallop permits, with 300 full-time, 30 part-time, and 7 occasional 
limited access permits in the 2004 fishing year. In addition, 2,801 
open access general category permits were issued to vessels in the 2004 
fishing year. All of the vessels in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery 
are considered small business entities because all of them grossed less 
than $3 million according to landings data for the 2004 fishing year. 
Complete landings and value information from the 2005 fishing year is 
not available since the fishing year ends on February 28, 2006. 
According to the information in Framework 18, annual revenue from 
scallop landings averaged about $759,816 per full-time vessel, $208,002 
per part-time vessel, and $7,193 per occasional vessel during the 1999-
2004 fishing years. Total revenues per vessel for all species landed 
were less than $3 million per vessel. Since December 1, 2005, the 
general category fleet has been separated into two permit categories 
under Framework Adjustment 17 to the FMP (70 FR 61233, October 21, 
2005). Vessels that possess up to 400 lb (181.4 kg) per trip are 
required to operate VMS and are issued a VMS general scallop permit. 
Vessels that do not possess more than 40 lb (18.1 kg) are not required 
to operate VMS and are issued Non-VMS general scallop permits. There 
are currently 831 VMS general scallop vessels and 1,949 Non-VMS general 
scallop vessels. Revenues for these vessels are not available at this 
time.
    Two criteria, disproportionality and profitability, are considered 
to determine the significance of regulatory impacts. The 
disproportionality criterion compares the effects of the regulatory 
action on small versus large entities. All of the vessels permitted to 
harvest sea scallops are considered to be small entities. The 
profitability criterion applies if the regulation significantly reduces 
profit for a substantial number of small entities, and is discussed in 
the Economic Impacts of the Proposed Action section of the IRFA summary 
below.

Proposed Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements

    Framework 18 proposes one new reporting, recordkeeping, and 
compliance requirement for limited access scallop vessels. The broken 
trip program allows vessels to resume an Access Area trip that was 
terminated before catching the full possession limit, provided the 
vessel operator complies with the notification requirements, submits a 
request for a compensation trip, and receives written verification of 
the compensation trip from the Regional Administrator. Currently, it is 
difficult for the NMFS Northeast Regional Office to account for vessel 
trip allocations when a vessel has multiple broken trips and has taken 
several compensation trips. To address the administrative problem, 
Framework 18 proposes to require vessels that are resuming an Access 
Area trip that was previously terminated early (a so-called 
compensation trip) to enter a trip identification number through their 
VMS prior to sailing on a compensation trip. The trip identification 
number would be provided on the letter(s) authorizing compensation 
trip(s). This requirement would apply only to limited access scallop 
vessels and would be a minor addition to current reporting requirements 
that are done through the vessel's VMS. The cost of such a requirement 
would be approximately $395 based on an estimated 500 compensation 
trips, fleet-wide.

Economic Impacts of the Proposed Measures and Alternatives

    Because total economic impacts of the management measures depend on 
the overall management scheme implemented in Framework 18, economic 
impacts of Framework 18 are most relevant in aggregate. Therefore, 
aggregate impacts are disccussed below, followed by qualitative 
discussion of the impacts of the individual measures.
    The aggregate economic impacts of the proposed measures and other

[[Page 16096]]

alternatives considered by the Council are analyzed relative to the no 
action alternative. Management measures considered in aggregate include 
Access Area allocations, modified ETAA opening and groundfish closed 
area access, extended HCAA, area closures (Delmarva), and open area DAS 
allocations. ``No action'' refers to open area DAS (24,700 for the 
fleet), CAI, CAII, and NLCA rotation order, as specified in current 
regulations, HCAA and ETA reverting to open areas subject to open area 
DAS, and no additional closures. Total open area DAS under the proposed 
alternative would be 20,000. The impacts on vessel revenues and profits 
are expected to be similar to the impacts of the proposed measures on 
total fleet revenue and producer surplus. Overall fleet revenue, and 
therefore annual scallop revenue, is estimated to be $545 million under 
the no action compared to $551 million under the proposed alternative 
during 2006-2007 (an increase of 1.06 percent). Revenues for each 
vessel issued a limited access permit would increase by approximately 
1.06 percent under the proposed action compared to the no action 
alternative. Because fishing costs are estimated to increase due to the 
allocation of more access area trips with the proposed measures, the 
changes in net revenue (revenue minus variable costs) and vessel 
profits compared to no action will be negligible (0.1-percent increase 
per year) over the 2-year period from 2006 to 2007.
    The long-term (2008-2019) economic effects of the proposed measures 
are estimated to be slightly negative on revenues ($901.6 million under 
the proposed action compared to $913.2 million under no action, an 
average 1.27-percent decline per year) and negligible on producer 
surplus (0.1-percent decline per year) compared to no action. Since the 
no action scenario would result in higher price due to lower landings, 
revenues under this scenario would exceed the revenues for the proposed 
measures, depending on the assumptions regarding changes in export, 
imports, disposable income, consumer preferences, and composition of 
landings by market size category in the future years. Expansion of the 
export markets for the U.S. sea scallops, for example, has helped to 
prevent price declines in the recent years despite the record increase 
in scallop landings, and could keep prices and scallop revenues higher 
than historical averages over the long-term as well, benefiting the 
small business entities in the scallop fishery. However, as noted below 
for individual measures, there are conservation benefits for scallops 
and species caught as bycatch that outweigh the minimal losses in 
economic benefits.
    Other measures proposed in this rule are expected to provide 
additional positive impacts, although not quantified, by providing 
vessels more flexibility in choosing the areas and time of fishing that 
will maximize their profits. These measures include one-for-one 
exchanges of 2006 CAII and NLCA Access Area trips for 2007 ETAA trips, 
other one-for-one exchanges of Access Area trips, the 60-day carryover 
of compensation trips, the January 1, 2007, opening of ETAA (rather 
than March 1, 2007), the September through October closed season for 
the ETAA, and the elimination of the trip exchange deadline.

1. Revised open area DAS allocations

    Open area DAS under the proposed action would be lower than under 
the no action alternative, reducing potential economic benefits. In 
addition, 2007 DAS for some vessels may be reduced if such vessels use 
more DAS initially in 2006 than are ultimately allocated under 
Framework 18 because such DAS would be deducted from 2007 DAS 
allocations. However, consistent with the Area Rotation Program and the 
overall FMP management program, proposed open area DAS allocations 
would prevent overfishing in open areas and a decline in future yield. 
It would therefore have long-term positive impacts on revenue and 
profits of small business entities.
    Alternatives to the proposed measures would allocate 15,000 DAS to 
30,000 DAS for open areas instead of 20,000 open area DAS under the 
proposed action. In aggregate, none of the other alternatives would 
have significantly different impacts than the proposed action in the 
short and the long-term, as indicated by changes in revenues near 1 
percent for all alternatives (compared to the no action alternative).

2. Revised rotational management schedule for the CAI, CAII, and NLCA 
Access Areas

    Because the proposed Area Access schedule allocates five trips in 
2006 to CAII and NLCA combined, compared to the no action schedule of a 
total of two trips in 2006, it would have positive impacts on landings, 
revenues, and gross profits of small businesses in general. The 
proposed rotation schedule could have some negative impacts in 2006 
compared to no action, and other alternatives allowing access to CAI in 
2006. It may not be possible for smaller boats, such as general 
category scallop vessels, to access CAII to substitute for the CAI 
trips. The short-term negative impacts could be offset if enough trips 
can be taken in open areas of Georges Bank and/or the Mid-Atlantic to 
compensate for the trips that could not be taken in CAI. The closure of 
the CAI access area in 2006 would protect the smaller biomass of 
scallops in the modified Access Area from overfishing, and, therefore, 
would result in higher future benefits for both the limited access and 
general category vessels when it is reopened to fishing in 2007. These 
long-term benefits are expected to outweigh short-term losses from the 
closure of CAI.
    The no action and status quo alternatives would allocate fewer 
trips to the Georges Bank Access Areas than the proposed action, and 
therefore, would have lower economic benefits compared to the proposed 
access. The economic impacts on small business entities of the 
alternative that would have allowed the limited access and general 
category vessels to fish in all three access areas in 2006 would be 
similar to the proposed schedule because the total number of controlled 
access trips are the same under both alternatives. Although this 
alternative would have provided general category and limited access 
vessels the opportunity to fish in CAI in 2006, it could also increase 
the risk of localized overfishing as many vessels could fish within the 
small area. As a result, this alternative could lower revenues and 
profits for both limited access and general category vessels over the 
long-term and when this area is reopened in 2007.

3. Area Specific limits on vessels fishing in Access Areas

    The economic impacts of area specific trip allocations and 
possession limits are unchanged from the no action alternative. Area 
specific trip allocations and possession limits help prevent 
overfishing in Access Areas, preventing reduction in future yield, and 
in social and economic benefits from the scallop fishery. Although trip 
allocations and possession limits increase fishing costs by lowering 
flexibility for vessel owners to determine how many trips to take to 
land the allocated amounts, it also prevents large landings, resulting 
in more stable landings and less fluctuation in prices over time. 
Overall, these positive economic impacts are expected to outweigh the 
negative impacts associated with the reduced flexibility.
    The alternative to trip allocations and possession limits would 
have introduced an overall catch limit for vessels fishing in Access 
Areas, but

[[Page 16097]]

would have allowed vessels to harvest the overall catch limit in as 
many trips as necessary for each vessel. Therefore, the alternative 
would have eliminated the trip allocations with trip-by-trip possession 
limits. This non-preferred alternative could have lowered the fishing 
costs for some vessels if fewer trips were necessary to land the 
overall limit for an area. Therefore, this measure could have increased 
profits and other benefits for those vessels. However, this alternative 
may also have resulted in large landings lowering prices and reducing 
economic gains. Combined with the elimination of crew limits in 
controlled access areas, this measure could reduce the long-term 
revenues, profits and total economic benefits if vessels with large 
crews start targeting smaller scallops with lower prices.

4. Open Area DAS Adjustments when yellowtail flounder catches reach the 
10-percent TAC limit allocated to scallop vessels fishing in Georges 
Bank Access Areas

    Allowing unutilized Access Area trips to be used as open area DAS 
would help to minimize the loss in landings and revenue due to the 
closure of Access Areas before a vessel takes its trip, although 
impacts would likely be negative compared to no action. Scallop catch 
in open areas under the proposed alternative is expected to be similar 
to the overall catch on Access Area trips in terms of numbers of 
scallops. However, if meat counts (i.e., the number of scallop meats 
that it takes to weigh one pound (0.45 kg)) are lower in open areas, 
the landed weight of scallops would be lower than 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) 
for a full Access Area trip. For example, if the open area meat count 
averages 17.2 meats per pound in open areas, compared to 12.0 meats per 
pound in Closed Area II Access Area, catches from the additional open 
area trips could range from about 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) to close to 
13,000 lb (5,897 kg) compared to the 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) from the trip 
that would have been taken in the Access Area. Compared to the no 
action alternative, which would have allowed the trips to be 
reallocated on a one-to-one DAS ratio, this example could result in 
revenues of $60,000 if 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) are landed or $47,000 if 
13,000 lb (5,897 kg) of scallops are landed. However, the higher the 
meat count, the less the economic loss in comparison to the no action 
alternative. Vessels with more than 24 DAS reallocated in open areas 
under the proposed action would have positive economic impacts compared 
to the no action. The proposed alternative would allow all unused trips 
to be reallocated to open areas, as opposed to the no action 
alternative that caps the reallocation at 24 DAS for ful-time vessels. 
The amount of additional revenue compared to the no action would depend 
on the amount and size of scallops landed.
    One alternative considered for this measure would allocate an equal 
number of open area trips with an 18,000-lb (8,165-kg) possession limit 
for each trip not taken before areas close from yellowtail flounder 
catches. Such trips would not count against the vessel's open area DAS 
allocation. Although this alternative would minimize the loss in 
revenue compared to the preferred alternative, it could result in 
negative long-term impacts on the scallop resource and negative 
economic benefits for the small business entities since the transferred 
trips in the open areas could increase fishing mortality and take 
longer than in the access areas. Another alternative, to allocate half 
the access trips, would prevent any shift of effort into open areas, 
but each vessel would be allocated fewer trips if the TAC is reached, 
thus it would lower revenues as compared to the preferred alternative. 
The status quo alternative would allow vessels to fish 12 DAS in open 
areas for up to two trips not taken before areas close from yellowtail 
flounder catches. This alternative would have a negative economic 
impact on vessels that could not take three or more of their trips in 
the controlled access areas.

5. Extension of the current Access Area program in the HCAA through 
February 2008 for vessels that have unutilized HCAA trips from 2005

    Extension of the HCAA program by itself is expected to have 
positive economic impacts in 2006 and/or 2007 because the vessels could 
lower their costs and increase their profits by taking trips when catch 
rates increase relative to the 2005 levels. However, if prices decline, 
revenue relative to foregone revenue in 2005 would be negative. 
Nevertheless, the opportunity to complete the trips in the HCAA would 
provide for additional benefits in 2006 and 2007.
    The only significant alternative to the proposed measures is the no 
action alternative of converting HCAA to a fully open area without 
allowing vessels to take any 2005 access trips in the future. This 
would result in slightly lower revenues and profits for small business 
entities in the short term, and negligible impacts over the long term 
compared to the proposed action. Given that catch rates of scallops in 
areas outside of the boundaries of the HCAA are currently higher than 
catch rates within the HCAA, it is unlikely that vessels would utilize 
open area DAS to fish in the HCAA under the no action alternative.

6. Opening of the ETAA on January 1, 2007

    Opening the ETAA on January 1, 2007, would have positive economic 
impacts on small entities by helping to spread out fishing effort and 
landings over time, and by providing vessel owners more flexibility to 
determine when to fish during the initial year of the ETAA. The fishing 
revenues would be more stable compared to an opening on March 1, 2007, 
the beginning of the fishing year.
    The alternative to the proposed measure is the status quo opening 
in March 1, 2007, which has lower benefits than the preferred 
alternative for the reasons noted above.

7. ETAA trip allocations

    The combined impacts of the proposed ETAA trip allocations are 
expected to be positive. Allocating five trips initially compared to 
nine trips under the status quo (there is not a no action alternative 
in this case), would result in slightly higher revenues and profits for 
small business entities in the short term and negligible impacts over 
the long term, as summarized above in the discussion of aggregate 
impacts. This action by itself, therefore, is expected to increase 
yield from the scallop fishery over the long term, and thus, would have 
positive economic impacts on small entities. The proposed allocations 
could have negative economic impacts on the general category scallop 
vessels because it limits the maximum catch from this vessel category 
whereas under the status quo alternative, general category vessels 
would not be constrained by a limit on trips or by the TAC. However, if 
such controls are not implemented for the general category fleet, the 
landings from this area could exceed the fishing mortality targets, and 
reduce the scallop biomass and yield in the future. This could result 
in lower allocations in the future for both the limited access and 
general category vessels and reduce the net economic benefits form the 
scallop resource.

8. Seasonal closure of the ETAA (September October) to reduce sea 
turtle interactions in the ETAA and reduce scallop and finfish discard 
mortality

    The proposed September through October closed season for the ETAA 
could have negative economic effects on

[[Page 16098]]

scallop fishermen by reducing their flexibility in choosing when to 
fish. Under no action, vessels could fish in the area year-round, with 
maximum flexibility. Furthermore, seasonal closures can cause spikes in 
landings before and after the closure, which can have negative effects 
on price and revenues. The negative economic impacts of this closure 
are expected to be minimal, however, because the area will be closed 
only for 2 months, when vessels could fish in other areas, and vessels 
will still have the same number of trips to take. The preferred 
alternative would minimize these negative impacts on fishing costs 
relative to other closure alternatives. The alternative options would 
close the ETAA for a longer period, one alternative from July 15 to 
October 31 and another alternative from June 15 to November 14, and 
thus could have larger negative impacts on vessels due to the length of 
the closure.

9. Regulatory procedure to reduce the number of Scallop Access Area 
trips into the ETAA if updated biomass estimates are available from 
2006 resource survey(s) that identify lower exploitable scallop biomass 
within the ETAA

    The adjustment procedure is expected to have positive economic 
impacts by ensuring that landings and economic benefits are kept to 
sustainable levels by making timely adjustments to management measures 
when new ETAA biomass data become available. The no action alternative 
would reduce economic benefits if the exploitable scallop biomass in 
the ETAA is determined to be too low to support the allocated number of 
trips, reducing biomass too rapidly, compromising years 2 and 3 of the 
ETAA. The economic impacts of the higher versus lower trip allocations 
are discussed in ``Initial ETA Access Area allocations'' above.

10. Closure of an area off of Delaware/Maryland/Virginia on January 1, 
2007

    The impacts of closing the Delmarva area, by itself, could have 
negative impacts in the short term compared to the no action 
alternative, which would not close the area. It may also have negative 
economic impacts on some vessels that mainly fish in Mid-Atlantic 
areas, by narrowing the fishing grounds they could use for their open-
area DAS. Some of these negative economic impacts may be mitigated by 
the re-opening of the ETAA in 2007. However, the Delmarva area was 
identified during development of Framework 18 as an area where a 
concentration of small scallops warranted the establishment of a 
rotational closed area under the FMP's Area Rotation Program. The Area 
Rotation Program represents the FMP's management strategy to improve 
yield over the long term and, consistent with that strategy, positive 
impacts over the long term are anticipated from the closure. When the 
area reopens in 2010, increased revenues should be realized because the 
scallops in the area will be the optimal size for harvesting. When 
considered in aggregate as discussed above, the impacts will be 
positive on the revenues and profits of the small entities in the short 
term, and negligible over the long term (as summarized above in 
aggregate impacts).

11. Elimination of the Scallop Access Area trip exchange program 
deadline in order to allow trip exchanges throughout the year

    The elimination of the trip exchange deadline is expected to have 
positive economic impacts by providing greater flexibility for vessel 
owners to respond to circumstances, and it is expected to lower fishing 
costs as well as reducing business and safety risks. Vessel owners may 
find it necessary or advantageous to be able to exchange trips 
throughout the fishing year as fishery and resource conditions change. 
The no action alternative of keeping the June 1 deadline would 
constrain trip exchange activity when no such constraint is necessary.

12. Allowance of trip exchanges of 2006 CAII and/or NLCA Access Area 
trips for 2007 ETAA trips

    Allowing vessel owners to exchange 2007 ETAA trips for 2006 CAII or 
NLCA Access Area trips will have positive economic impacts on small 
entities. In particular, vessels in the Mid-Atlantic that would 
typically not fish in the CAII or NLCA Access Areas would otherwise be 
forced to take trips on Georges Bank or forego a large number of trips 
in the 2006 fishing year. The cross-year trip exchange would allow such 
vessels to forego such trips to Georges Bank in 2006 but make up for 
them with additional trips in the ETAA in 2007. Exchanging vessel 
owners could also negotiate compensation for the postponed landings, 
thus mitigating the short-term costs for one of the exchanging vessels. 
The revised exchange program is expected to provide flexibility to 
vessel owners regarding which areas to fish, thereby reducing fishing 
costs without changing the total number of trips allocated to the fleet 
in the Access Areas during a fishing year.
    There were no significant alternatives other than the no action 
alternative, which would not have allowed cross-year trip exchanges 
between CAII, NLCA, and ETAA.

13. Modification of the Scallop Access Area broken trip program to 
allow unused makeup trips to be carried over to the next fishing year

    The proposed broken trip carryover provision action would have 
positive impacts by reducing the risk associated with trips taken at 
the end of a fishing year, or at the end of a seasonal access program, 
and preventing any revenue loss that would result if the compensation 
trips could not be taken by the end of the same fishing year due to 
weather or other factors. Under the no action alternative, vessels 
breaking trips near the end of the fishing year or Access Area season 
would be required to complete the trip before the end of the fishing 
year or Access Area season. In prior years, such a restriction has 
resulted in vessels opting to not break a trip, foregoing the trip and 
resulting revenues, or forcing compensation trips in poor weather, 
potentially compromising safety.

14. Elimination of the scallop vessel crew size limit for Scallop 
Access Area trips only

    Eliminating the crew limit for limited access vessels conducting an 
Access Area trip is expected to lower total fishing costs, increase 
total benefits for crew and the vessel-owners, but reduce income per 
crew member. This measure could have negative economic impacts, 
however, if there is a race to fish by many vessels employing large 
crews in order to fish before catch rates decline or before the area is 
closed due to bycatch. Furthermore, if unlimited crew size leads to 
smaller scallops being landed, then both the immediate impacts (if 
price falls) and long-term impacts (when harvesting smaller scallops 
affects future landings) would be negative. On the other hand, the 
existing possession limits for access areas could mitigate some of 
these negative impacts by limiting the trip duration.

Economic Impacts of Significant and Other Non-selected Alternatives

    As noted above, the economic impacts of the proposed action are 
most relevant in aggregate. Therefore, the impacts of the significant 
alternatives to the proposed action are also most relevant when 
considered in aggregate. Framework 18 considered 10 alternative 
scenarios, including the proposed action and no action alternative. 
Status quo differs from the no action in that it specified open area 
DAS and Access

[[Page 16099]]

Area allocations to meet the F=0.2 fishing mortality target for the 
scallop resource overall, and fishing mortality targets consistent with 
the area rotation program. Both the status quo and no action 
alternatives would allocate 24,700 open area DAS. The main difference 
between status quo and no action would be, that under status quo, the 
ETAA would become an Access Area with nine trips allocated, whereas 
under no action, the Elephant Trunk Area would become part of the open 
area under DAS. Framework 18 considered open area DAS allocations of 
30,000; 24,700; 20,000; 18,000; and 15,000, combined with CAI, CAII, 
and NLCA Access Area Schedule, ETA Access Area trip allocations, HCAA 
opening to open area DAS, HCAA extension through the 2007 fishing year, 
and the Delmarva closed area. The difference in overall economic 
impacts between alternatives compared to the no action alternative are 
relatively small, with all of the alternative scenarios resulting in 
total revenues between $540 million to $552 million, compared to $527 
million for the no action alternative for 2006 and 2007 combined. The 
proposed action would result in the second-highest revenues in the 
short-term, with $551 million in revenues as noted above. The proposed 
action would result in the second to lowest long-term revenues. The 
alternative with the highest short-term revenues, at $552 million, 
would allocate 18,000 DAS, allow access to the CAI, CAII, and NLCA 
Access Areas in 2006 and the CAI and NLCA Access Areas in 2007, allow 
five trips in the ETAA in 2007, extend the HCAA, and close the Delmarva 
area. This alternative also would have the lowest long-term revenues. 
Long-term impacts would likely be mitigated by required adjustments 
that will be completed by the Council for the 2008 and 2009 fishing 
years. The status quo alternative would result in the lowest short-term 
revenues, at $539 million, and middle-of-the-range long-term revenues. 
The difference in revenues depended on the total open area DAS 
allocations (15,000; 18,000; 20,000; 24,700; and 30,000 were 
considered), the schedule for the CAI, CAII, and NLCA Access Areas, 
whether the ETAA would be an Access Area or open to fishing under open 
area DAS in 2006, whether the HCAA would be extended or not, and 
whether the Delmarva area would be closed or not in 2007.
    This proposed rule contains one new collection-of-information 
requirement subject to review and approval by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). Vessels that 
are resuming an access area trip that was previously terminated early 
(a so-called compensation trip) would be required to enter a trip 
identification number through their VMS units prior to sailing on the 
compensation trip. This requirement would apply to limited access 
scallop vessels and has been submitted to OMB for approval under OMB 
0648-0491. Public reporting burden for this collection-of-
information is estimated to be 1 minute per response. This estimate 
includes the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data 
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and 
reviewing the collection information.
    Public comment is sought regarding: Whether this proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments on 
these or any other aspects of the collection of information to NMFS and 
to OMB (see ADDRESSES).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, and no person shall be subject to penalty for 
failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: March 23, 2006.
James W. Balsiger,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

    1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
    2. In Sec.  648.4, paragraphs (a)(2)(ii)(D), (c)(2)(iv) 
introductory text, and (c)(2)(iv)(B) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.4  Vessel permits.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (D) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iv) An application for a scallop permit must also contain the 
following information:
* * * * *
    (B) If applying for a VMS general scallop permit, or full-time or 
part-time limited access scallop permit, or if opting to use a VMS 
unit, a copy of the vendor installation receipt or proof of vendor 
activation of the VMS from a NMFS-approved VMS vendor. NMFS-approved 
vendors are described in Sec.  648.9.
* * * * *
    3. In Sec.  648.9, paragraphs (c)(1)(iii) and (c)(2)(i)(D) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.9  VMS requirements.

    (c) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) At least twice per hour, 24 hours a day, throughout the year, 
for vessels issued a general scallop permit and subject to the 
requirements of Sec.  648.4(a)(2)(ii)(B).
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (D) The vessel has been issued a general scallop permit and is 
required to operate VMS as specified in Sec.  648.10(b)(1)(iv), is not 
in possession of any scallops onboard the vessel, is tied to a 
permanent dock or mooring, and the vessel operator has notified NMFS 
through VMS by transmitting the appropriate VMS power down code, that 
the VMS will be powered down, unless required by other permit 
requirements for other fisheries to transmit the vessel's location at 
all times. Such a vessel must repower the VMS prior to moving from the 
fixed dock or mooring. VMS codes and instructions are available from 
the Regional Administrator upon request.
* * * * *
    4. In Sec.  648.10, paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (b)(1)(iv), (b)(2), 
(b)(2)(i), (b)(2)(ii), and (b)(4) are revised and paragraph (e)(2)(v) 
is added to read as follows:


Sec.  648.10  DAS and VMS notification requirements.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) A scallop vessel issued a Full-time or Part-time limited access 
scallop permit or a VMS general scallop permit;
* * * * *

[[Page 16100]]

    (iv) A scallop vessel issued a VMS or a Non-VMS general scallop 
permit when fishing under the Sea Scallop Area Access Program specified 
under Sec.  648.60;
* * * * *
    (2) The owner of such a vessel specified in paragraph (b)(1) of 
this section must provide documentation to the Regional Administrator 
at the time of application for a limited access permit or general 
scallop permit that the vessel has an operational VMS unit installed on 
board that meets those criteria, unless otherwise allowed under this 
paragraph (b). If a vessel has already been issued a limited access 
permit without the owner providing such documentation, the Regional 
Administrator shall allow at least 30 days for the vessel to install an 
operational VMS unit that meets the criteria and for the owner to 
provide documentation of such installation to the Regional 
Administrator. A vessel that is required to, or whose owner has elected 
to, use a VMS unit is subject to the following requirements and 
presumptions:
    (i) A vessel subject to the VMS requirements of Sec.  648.9 and 
this paragraph (b) that has crossed the VMS Demarcation Line specified 
under paragraph (a) of this section is deemed to be fishing under the 
DAS program, the general category scallop fishery, or other fishery 
requiring the operation of VMS as applicable, unless the vessel's owner 
or authorized representative declares the vessel out of the scallop, NE 
multispecies, or monkfish fishery, as applicable, for a specific time 
period by notifying NMFS by transmitting the appropriate VMS code 
through the VMS prior to the vessel leaving port, or unless the 
vessel's owner or authorized representative declares the vessel will be 
fishing in the Eastern U.S./Canada Area as described in Sec.  
648.85(a)(3)(ii) under the provisions of that program.
    (ii) Notification that the vessel is not fishing under the DAS 
program, the general category scallop fishery, or other fishery 
requiring the operation of VMS, must be received prior to the vessel 
leaving port. A vessel may not change its status after the vessel 
leaves port or before it returns to port on any fishing trip.
* * * * *
    (4) Atlantic sea scallop vessel VMS notification requirements. (i) 
Less than 1 hour prior to leaving port, the owner or authorized 
representative of a scallop vessel that is required to use VMS as 
specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, must notify the Regional 
Administrator by entering the appropriate VMS code that the vessel will 
be participating in the scallop DAS program, Area Access Program, or 
general category scallop fishery. VMS codes and instructions are 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    (ii) To facilitate the deployment of at-sea observers, all sea 
scallop vessels issued limited access permits fishing in open areas or 
Sea Scallop Access Areas, and general category vessels fishing under 
the Sea Scallop Access Area program specified in Sec.  648.60, are 
required to comply with the additional VMS notification requirements 
specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(iii) and (iv) of this section, except 
that scallop vessels issued Occasional scallop permits not 
participating in the Area Access Program specified in Sec.  648.60 may 
provide the specified information to NMFS by calling NMFS. All sea 
scallop vessels issued a VMS general category or Non-VMS general 
scallop permit that are participating in the Area Access Program 
specified in Sec.  648.60 are required to comply with the additional 
VMS notification requirements specified in paragraph (b)(4)(iii) and 
(iv) of this section.
    (iii) Prior to the 25th day of the month preceding the month in 
which fishing is to take place, the vessel must submit a monthly report 
through the VMS e-mail messaging system of its intention to fish for 
scallops, along with the following information: Vessel name and permit 
number, owner and operator's name, owner and operator's phone numbers, 
and number of trips anticipated for open areas and each Sea Scallop 
Access Area in which it intends to fish. The Regional Administrator may 
waive this notification period if it is determined that there is 
insufficient time to provide such notification prior to a Sea Scallop 
Access Area opening or beginning of the fishing year. Notification of 
this waiver of a portion of the notification period shall be provided 
to the vessel through a permit holder letter issued by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (iv) In addition to the information required under paragraph 
(b)(4)(iii) of this section, and for the purpose of selecting vessels 
for observer deployment, each participating vessel owner or operator 
shall provide notice to NMFS of the time, port of departure, and open 
area or specific Sea Scallop Access Area to be fished, at least 72 hr, 
unless otherwise notified by the Regional Administrator, prior to the 
beginning of any scallop trip.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (v) Such vessels must comply with the VMS notification requirements 
specified in paragraph (b) of this section by notifying the Regional 
Administrator by entering the appropriate VMS code that the vessel is 
fishing outside of the scallop fishery. VMS codes and instructions are 
available from the Regional Administrator upon request.
    5. In Sec.  648.11, paragraph (a)(1) and (a)(2) are added to read 
as follows:


Sec.  648.11  At-sea sea sampler/observer coverage.

    (a) * * *
    (1) For the purpose of deploying at-sea observers, sea scallop 
vessels are required to notify NMFS of scallop trips as specified in 
Sec.  648.10(b)(4). Unless otherwise notified by the Regional 
Administrator, owners of scallop vessels shall be responsible for 
paying the cost of the observer for all scallop fishing trips on which 
an observer is carried onboard the a the vessel, regardless of whether 
the vessel lands or sells sea scallops on that trip, and regardless of 
the availability of set-aside for an increased possession limit.
    (2) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    6. In Sec.  648.14, paragraphs (h)(27) through (35) are removed and 
paragraphs (a)(56)(i), (a)(56)(iii), (a)(58), (h)(2), (h)(4), (h)(5), 
(h)(6), (h)(12), (h)(13), (h)(15), (h)(17), (h)(19), (h)(24), (h)(25), 
(h)(26), (i)(3), (i)(11) and (i)(12) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

    (a) * * *
    (56) Fish for, possess, or land per trip, scallops in excess of 40 
lb (18.14 kg) of shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell scallops 
unless:
    (i) The scallops were fished for and harvested by a vessel that has 
been issued and carries on board a VMS general scallop or limited 
access scallop permit;
* * * * *
    (iii) The scallops were fished for and harvested by a vessel issued 
a VMS general scallop permit with an operator on board who has been 
issued an operator's permit and the permit is on board the vessel and 
is valid.
* * * * *
    (58) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (h) * * *
* * * * *
    (2) Land scallops on more than one trip per calendar day after 
using up the vessel's annual DAS allocation or when not participating 
under the DAS program pursuant to Sec.  648.10, unless

[[Page 16101]]

exempted from DAS allocations as provided in Sec.  648.54.
* * * * *
    (4) If the vessel is not subject to VMS requirements specified in 
Sec.  648.10(b), fail to comply with the requirements of the call-in 
system specified in Sec.  648.10(c).
    (5) Combine, transfer, or consolidate DAS allocations, except as 
allowed for one-for-one Access Area trip exchanges as specified in 
Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(ii).
    (6) Have an ownership interest in more than 5 percent of the total 
number of vessels issued limited access scallop permits, except as 
provided in Sec.  648.4(a)(2)(i)(M).
* * * * *
    (12) Possess or use dredge gear that does not comply with the 
provisions and specifications in Sec.  648.51(b).
    (13) Participate in the DAS allocation program with more persons on 
board the vessel than the number specified in Sec.  648.51(c), 
including the operator, when the vessel is not docked or moored in 
port, unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator, or 
unless participating in the Area Access Program pursuant to the 
requirements specified in Sec.  648.60.
* * * * *
    (15) Fish under the small dredge program specified in Sec.  
648.51(e) with more than five persons on board the vessel, including 
the operator, unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator 
or unless participating in the Area Access Program pursuant to the 
requirements specified in Sec.  648.60.
* * * * *
    (17) Fail to comply with the notification requirements specified in 
Sec.  648.10(b)(4) or refuse or fail to carry an observer after being 
requested to carry an observer by the Regional Administrator.
* * * * *
    (19) Fail to comply with any requirement for declaring in and out 
of the DAS allocation program or other notification requirements 
specified in Sec.  648.10.
* * * * *
    (24) Possess or land more than 50 bu (17.62 hL) of in-shell 
scallops, as specified in Sec.  648.52(d), once inside the VMS 
Demarcation Line by a vessel that, at any time during the trip, fished 
in or transited any area south of 42[deg]20' N. Lat, or fishing in the 
Sea Scallop Area Access Program specified in Sec.  648.60, except as 
provided in Sec.  648.54.
    (25) Declare and initiate a trip into the areas specified in Sec.  
648.59(b) through (d) after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register stating that the yellowtail flounder 
TAC has been harvested as specified in Sec.  648.85(c).
    (26) Retain yellowtail flounder in the areas specified in Sec.  
648.59(b) through (d) after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register stating that the yellowtail flounder 
TAC has been harvested as specified in Sec.  648.85(c).
    (i) * * *
    (3) Possess or use dredge gear that does not comply with any of the 
provisions or specification in Sec.  648.51 (b).
* * * * *
    (11) Fail to comply with any requirement for declaring in and out 
of the general category scallop fishery or other notification 
requirements specified in Sec.  648.10(b).
    (12) Fish for or land per trip, or possess at any time, in excess 
of 40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked or 5 bu (176.2 L) of in-shell scallops 
unless the vessel has been issued a VMS general scallop permit and has 
declared into the general category scallop fishery as specified in 
Sec.  648.10(b)(4).
* * * * *
    7. In Sec.  648.51, paragraphs (b)(3), (c), (e)(3), and (f)(1) are 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.51  Gear and crew restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) Minimum ring size. (i) Unless otherwise required under the Sea 
Scallop Area Access program specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(6), the ring 
size used in a scallop dredge possessed or used by scallop vessels 
shall not be smaller than 4 inches (10.2 cm).
    (ii) Ring size is determined by measuring the shortest straight 
line passing through the center of the ring from one inside edge to the 
opposite inside edge of the ring. The measurement shall not include 
normal welds from ring manufacturing or links. The rings to be measured 
will be at least five rings away from the mouth, and at least two rings 
away from other rigid portions of the dredge.
* * * * *
    (c) Crew restrictions. Limited access vessels participating in or 
subject to the scallop DAS allocation program may have no more than 
seven people aboard, including the operator, when not docked or moored 
in port, except as follows:
    (1) There is no restriction on the number of people on board for 
vessels participating in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as 
specified in Sec.  648.60;
    (2) Vessels participating in the small dredge program are 
restricted as specified in paragraph (e) of this section;
    (3) The Regional Administrator may authorize additional people to 
be on board through issuance of a letter of authorization.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) The vessel may have no more than five people, including the 
operator, on board, except as follows:
    (i) There is no restriction on the number of people on board for 
vessels participating in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as 
specified in Sec.  648.60;
    (ii) The Regional Administrator may authorize additional people to 
be on board through issuance of a letter of authorization.
* * * * *
    (f) Restrictions on the use of trawl nets. (1) A vessel issued a 
limited access scallop permit fishing for scallops under the scallop 
DAS allocation program may not fish with, possess on board, or land 
scallops while in possession of trawl nets, unless such vessel has been 
issued a limited access trawl vessel permit that endorses the vessel to 
fish for scallops with trawl nets. A limited access scallop vessel 
issued trawl vessel permit that endorses the vessel to fish for 
scallops with trawl nets and general category scallop vessels enrolled 
in the Area Access Program as specified in Sec.  648.60, may not fish 
with trawl nets in the Access Areas specified in Sec.  648.59(b) 
through (d).
* * * * *
    8. In Sec.  648.52, paragraphs (a) and (b) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.52  Possession and landing limits.

    (a) Owners or operators of vessels with a limited access scallop 
permit that have declared out of the DAS program as specified in Sec.  
648.10 or that have used up their DAS allocations, and vessels issued a 
VMS general scallop permit, unless exempted under the state waters 
exemption program described under Sec.  648.54, are prohibited from 
possessing or landing per trip more than 400 lb (181.44 kg) of shucked, 
or 50 bu (17.62 hl) of in-shell scallops, with no more than one scallop 
trip of 400 lb (181.44 kg) of shucked, or 50 bu (17.62 hl) of in-shell 
scallops, allowable in any calendar day.
    (b) Owners or operators of vessels without a scallop permit, 
vessels issued a Non-VMS general scallop permit, and vessels issued a 
VMS general scallop permit that have declared out of the general 
scallop fishery as described in Sec.  648.10(b)(4), except vessels 
fishing for scallops exclusively in state waters, are prohibited from 
possessing or landing

[[Page 16102]]

per trip, more than 40 lb (18.14 kg) of shucked, or 5 bu (176.2 L) of 
in-shell scallops. Owners or operators of vessels without a scallop 
permit are prohibited from selling, bartering, or trading scallops 
harvested from Federal waters.
* * * * *
    9. In Sec.  648.53, paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(4), (b)(5), (c), 
(d) and (h) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.53  DAS allocations.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Total DAS to be used in all areas other than those specified in 
Sec.  648.59, are specified through the framework process as specified 
in Sec.  648.55.
    (2) Each vessel qualifying for one of the three DAS categories 
specified in the table in this paragraph (b)(2) (Full-time, Part-time, 
or Occasional) shall be allocated the maximum number of DAS for each 
fishing year it may participate in the open area limited access scallop 
fishery, according to its category. A vessel whose owner/operator has 
declared out of the scallop fishery, pursuant to the provisions of 
Sec.  648.10, or that has used up its maximum allocated DAS, may leave 
port without being assessed a DAS, as long as it has made appropriate 
VMS declaration as specified in Sec.  648.10(b)(4), does not fish for 
or land per trip, or possess at any time, more than 400 lb (181.4 kg) 
of shucked or 50 bu (17.6 hL) of in-shell scallops and complies with 
all other requirements of this part. The annual open area DAS 
allocations for each category of vessel for the fishing years 
indicated, after deducting DAS for observer and research DAS set-
asides, are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAS Category                                               2006     2007
Full-time                                                    52       51
Part-time                                                    21       20
Occasional                                                    4        4
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (4) Additional open area DAS. If a TAC for yellowtail flounder 
specified in Sec.  648.85(c) is harvested for an Access Area specified 
in Sec.  648.59(b) through (d), a scallop vessel with remaining trips 
in the affected Access Area shall be allocated additional open area DAS 
according to the calculations specified in paragraphs (b)(4)(i) through 
(iii) of this section.
    (i) For each remaining complete trip in Closed Area I, a vessel may 
fish an additional 5.5 DAS in open areas during the same fishing year. 
A complete trip is deemed to be a trip that is not subject to a reduced 
possession limit under the broken trip provision in Sec.  648.60(c). 
For example, a full-time scallop vessel with two complete trips 
remaining in Closed Area I would be allocated 11 additional open area 
DAS (2 x 5.5 = 11 DAS) if the TAC for yellowtail flounder allocated to 
the scallop fishery is harvested in that area. Vessels allocated 
compensation trips as specified in Sec.  648.60(c) that cannot be made 
because the yellowtail TAC in Closed Area I allocated to the scallop 
fishery is harvested shall be allocated 0.458 additional DAS for each 
unused DAS in the affected access area. Unused DAS shall be calculated 
by dividing the compensation trip possession limit by 1,500 lb (680 
kg), (the catch rate per DAS). For example, a vessel with a 10,000-lb 
(4,536-kg) compensation trip remaining in Closed Area I would be 
allocated 3.05 additional open area DAS in that same fishing year 
(0.458 times 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/1,500 lb (680 kg) per day).
    (ii) For each remaining complete trip in Closed Area II, a vessel 
may fish an additional 5.4 DAS in open areas during the same fishing 
year. A complete trip is deemed to be a trip that is not subject to a 
reduced possession limit under the broken trip provision in Sec.  
648.60(c). For example, a full-time scallop vessel with two complete 
trips remaining in Closed Area II would be allocated 10.8 additional 
open area DAS (2 x 5.4 = 10.8 DAS) if the TAC for yellowtail flounder 
allocated to the scallop fishery is harvested in that area. Vessels 
allocated compensation trips as specified in Sec.  648.60(c) that 
cannot be made because the yellowtail TAC in Closed Area II allocated 
to the scallop fishery is harvested shall be allocated 0.450 additional 
DAS for each unused DAS in the affected access area. Unused DAS shall 
be calculated by dividing the compensation trip possession limit by 
1,500 lb (680 kg), (the catch rate per DAS). For example, a vessel with 
a 10,000-lb (4,536-kg) compensation trip remaining in Closed Area II 
would be allocated 3 additional open area DAS in that same fishing year 
(0.450 times 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/1,500 lb (680 kg) per day).
    (iii) For each remaining complete trip in the Nantucket Lightship 
Access Area, a vessel may fish an additional 4.9 DAS in open areas 
during the same fishing year. A complete trip is deemed to be a trip 
that is not subject to a reduced possession limit under the broken trip 
provision in Sec.  648.60(c). For example, a full-time scallop vessel 
with two complete trips remaining in Nantucket Lightship Access Area 
would be allocated 9.8 additional open area DAS (2 x 4.9 = 9.8 DAS) if 
the TAC for yellowtail flounder allocated to the scallop fishery is 
harvested in that area. Vessels allocated compensation trips as 
specified in Sec.  648.60(c) that cannot be made because the yellowtail 
TAC in Nantucket Lightship Access Area allocated to the scallop fishery 
is harvested shall be allocated 0.408 additional DAS for each unused 
DAS in the affected access area. Unused DAS shall be calculated by 
dividing the compensation trip possession limit by 1,500 lb (680 kg), 
(the catch rate per DAS). For example, a vessel with a 10,000-lb 
(4,536-kg) compensation trip remaining in Nantucket Lightship Access 
Area would be allocated 2.7 additional open area DAS in that same 
fishing year (0.458 times 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)/1,500 lb (680 kg) per 
day).
    (5) DAS allocations and other management measures are specified for 
each scallop fishing year, which begins on March 1 and ends on February 
28 (or February 29), unless otherwise noted. For example, the 2006 
fishing year refers to the period March 1, 2006, through February 28, 
2007.
    (c) DAS used in excess of 2006 DAS allocations. Limited access 
vessels that use more open area DAS in the 2006 fishing year than 
specified in this section shall have the DAS used in excess of the 2006 
DAS allocation specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section deducted 
from their 2007 open area DAS allocation specified in paragraph (b)(2).
    (d) Adjustments in annual DAS allocations. Annual DAS allocations 
shall be established for 2 fishing years through biennial framework 
adjustments as specified in Sec.  648.55. If a biennial framework 
action is not undertaken by the Council and implemented by NMFS, the 
DAS allocations and Access Area trip allocations from the most recent 
fishing year will remain in effect for the next fishing year. The 
Council may also recommend adjustments to DAS allocations through a 
framework action at any time.
* * * * *
    (h) DAS set-asides--(1) DAS set-aside for observer coverage. As 
specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, to help defray the cost 
of carrying an observer, 1 percent of the total DAS will be set aside 
from the total DAS available for allocation, to be used by vessels that 
are assigned to take an at-sea observer on a trip other than an Area 
Access Program trip. The DAS set-aside for observer coverage for the 
2006 and 2007 fishing years is 165 DAS for each fishing year. Vessels 
carrying an observer will be compensated with reduced DAS accrual rates 
for each trip on which the vessel carries an observer. For each DAS 
that a vessel fishes for scallops with an

[[Page 16103]]

observer on board, the DAS will accrue at a reduced rate based on an 
adjustment factor determined by the Regional Administrator on an annual 
basis, dependent on the cost of observers, catch rates, and amount of 
available DAS set-aside. The Regional Administrator shall notify vessel 
owners of the cost of observers and the DAS adjustment factor through a 
permit holder letter issued prior to the start of each fishing year. 
The number of DAS that are deducted from each trip based on the 
adjustment factor will be deducted from the observer DAS set-aside 
amount in the applicable fishing year. Utilization of the DAS set-aside 
will be on a first-come, first-served basis. When the DAS set-aside for 
observer coverage has been utilized, vessel owners will be notified 
that no additional DAS remain available to offset the cost of carrying 
observers. The obligation to carry an observer will not be waived due 
to the absence of additional DAS allocation.
    (2) DAS set-aside for research. As specified in paragraph (b)(3) of 
this section, to help support the activities of vessels participating 
in certain research, as specified in Sec.  648.56; the DAS set-aside 
for research for the 2006 and 2007 fishing years is 330 DAS for each 
fishing year. Vessels participating in approved research will be 
authorized to use additional DAS in the applicable fishing year. 
Notification of allocated additional DAS will be provided through a 
letter of authorization, or Exempted Fishing Permit issued by NMFS, or 
will be added to a participating vessel's open are DAS allocation, as 
appropriate.
    10. In Sec.  648.54, paragraphs (a) and (b) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.54  State waters exemption.

    (a) * * *
    (1) DAS requirements. Any vessel issued a limited access scallop 
permit is exempt from the DAS requirements specified in Sec.  648.53(b) 
while fishing exclusively landward of the outer boundary of a state's 
waters, provided the vessel complies with paragraphs (d) through (g) of 
this section, and the notification requirements of Sec.  648.10(e).
    (2) Gear and possession limit restrictions. Any vessel issued a 
limited access scallop permit that is exempt from the DAS requirements 
of Sec.  648.53(b) under paragraph (a) of this section, and has 
complied with the notification requirements of Sec.  648.10(e), is also 
exempt from the gear restrictions specified in Sec.  648.51(a), (b), 
(e)(1) and (e)(2), and the possession restrictions specified in Sec.  
648.52(a), while fishing exclusively landward of the outer boundary of 
the waters of a state that has been deemed by the Regional 
Administrator under paragraph (c) of this section to have a scallop 
fishery and a scallop conservation program that does not jeopardize the 
biomass and fishing mortality/effort limit objectives of the Scallop 
FMP, provided the vessel complies with paragraphs (d) through (g) of 
this section.
    (b) General scallop vessel gear and possession limit restrictions. 
Any vessel issued a general scallop permit is exempt from the gear 
restrictions specified in Sec.  648.51(a), (b), (e)(1) and (e)(2), and 
the possession limit specified in Sec.  648.52(a), while fishing 
exclusively landward of the outer boundary of the waters of a state 
that has been determined by the Regional Administrator under paragraph 
(b)(3) of this section to have a scallop fishery and a scallop 
conservation program that does not jeopardize the biomass and fishing 
mortality/effort limit objectives of the Scallop FMP, provided the 
vessel complies with paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section. 
Vessels issued a VMS general scallop permit must be declared out of the 
general category scallop fishery as described in Sec.  648.10(e).
* * * * *
    11. In Sec.  648.55, paragraph (b) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.55  Framework adjustments to management measures.

* * * * *
    (b) The preparation of the SAFE Report shall begin on or about June 
1of the year preceding the fishing year in which measures will be 
adjusted. If the biennial framework action is not undertaken by the 
Council, or if a final rule resulting from a biennial framework is not 
published in the Federal Register with an effective date of March 1, in 
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, the measures from the 
most recent fishing year shall continue, beginning March 1 of each 
fishing year.
* * * * *
    12. Section 648.58 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.58  Rotational Closed Areas.

    (a) Elephant Trunk Closed Area. Through December 31, 2006, no 
vessel may fish for scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the 
area known as the Elephant Trunk Closed Area. No vessel may possess 
scallops in the Elephant Trunk Closed Area, unless such vessel is only 
transiting the area as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. The 
Elephant Trunk Closed Area is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ET1                                               38[deg]50'  74[deg]20'
                                                          N.          W.
ET2                                               38[deg]10'  74[deg]20'
                                                          N.          W.
ET3                                               38[deg]10'  73[deg]30'
                                                          N.          W.
ET4                                               38[deg]50'  73[deg]30'
                                                          N.          W.
ET1                                               38[deg]50'  74[deg]20'
                                                          N.          W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Delmarva Closed Area. From January 1, 2007, through February 
28, 2010, no vessel may fish for scallops in, or possess or land 
scallops from, the area known as the Delmarva Closed Area. No vessel 
may possess scallops in the Delmarva Closed Area, unless such vessel is 
only transiting the area as provided in paragraph (b) of this section. 
The Delmarva Closed Area is defined by straight lines connecting the 
following points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this 
area are available from the Regional Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DMV1                                            38[deg]10'N  74[deg]50'W
                                                          .            .
DMV2                                            38[deg]10'N  74[deg]00'W
                                                          .            .
DMV3                                            37[deg]15'N  74[deg]00'W
                                                          .            .
DMV4                                            37[deg]15'N  74[deg]50'W
                                                          .            .
DMV1                                            38[deg]10'N  74[deg]50'W
                                                          .            .
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Transiting. No vessel possessing scallops may enter or be in 
the area(s) specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section unless 
the vessel is transiting the area and the vessel's fishing gear is 
unavailable for immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.23(b), or there 
is a compelling safety reason to be in such areas without all such gear 
being unavailable for immediate use.
    (d) Vessels fishing for species other than scallops. A vessel may 
fish for species other than scallops within the closed areas specified 
in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section as allowed in this part 
provided the vessel does not fish for, catch, or retain scallops or 
intend to fish for, catch, or retain scallops. Declaration through VMS 
that the vessel is fishing in the general category scallop fishery is 
deemed to be an intent to fish for, catch, or retain scallops.
    13. Section 648.59 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.59  Sea Scallop Access Areas.

    (a) Hudson Canyon Sea Scallop Access Area. (1) Through February 29, 
2008, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may fish for, 
possess, and land scallops in or from, the area known as the Hudson 
Canyon Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section, only if the vessel is participating in, and complies with

[[Page 16104]]

the requirements of, the area access program described in Sec.  648.60, 
and provided the vessel did not complete all of its allocated trips 
during the 2005 fishing year, as described in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i)(E). 
A vessel issued a general scallop permit may fish in the Hudson Canyon 
Sea Scallop Access Area in 2006 and 2007 provided it complies with the 
trip declaration requirements specified in Sec.  648.10(b)(4) and 
possession restrictions specified in Sec.  648.52.
    (2) The Hudson Canyon Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H1                                              39[deg]30'N  73[deg]10'W
                                                          .            .
H2                                              39[deg]30'N  72[deg]30'W
                                                          .            .
H3                                              38[deg]30'N  73[deg]30'W
                                                          .            .
H4/ET4                                          38[deg]50'N  73[deg]30'W
                                                          .            .
H5                                              38[deg]50'N  73[deg]42'W
                                                          .            .
H1                                              39[deg]30'N  73[deg]10'W
                                                          .            .
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Number of trips. Based on its permit category, a vessel issued 
a limited access scallop permit may fish any remaining Hudson Canyon 
Access Area trips allocated for the 2005 fishing year in the Hudson 
Canyon Access Area, as specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i)(C), plus any 
additional Hudson Canyon Access Area trips acquired through an 
authorized one-for-one exchange as specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(ii). 
A vessel with unutilized compensation trips for Sea Scallop Access Area 
trips terminated early during the 2005 fishing year, pursuant to Sec.  
648.60(c), may take such compensation trips in the 2006 and/or 2007 
fishing year in the Hudson Canyon Access Area. A vessel owner may 
exchange complete unutilized trips carried forward to the 2006 and 2007 
fishing years with another vessel owner as specified in Sec.  
648.60(a)(3)(ii). Compensation trips for prior trips terminated early 
that are carried forward from the 2005 fishing year as specified in 
this paragraph may not be exchanged.
    (b) Closed Area I Access Area. This area shall be managed on a 3-
year cycle, with a one-year closure, followed by a two-year Area Access 
Program as follows:
    (1) Through February 28, 2007, and every third fishing year 
thereafter (i.e., March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010, etc.) 
vessels issued scallop permits, except vessels issued a NE Multispecies 
permit and a general category scallop permit and fishing in an approved 
SAP under Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS, may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as the Closed Area 
I Access Area, described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section.
    (2) Beginning March 1, 2007, through February 28, 2009, and for 
every 2-year period after the year-long closure described in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section (i.e., March 1, 2010 through February 29, 2012, 
etc.), and subject to the seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph 
(b)(4) of this section, a vessel issued a scallop permit may fish for, 
possess, and land scallops in or from, the area known as the Closed 
Area I Access Area, described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, only 
if the vessel is participating in, and complies with the requirements 
of, the area access program described in Sec.  648.60.
    (3) The Closed Area I Access Area is defined by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated (copies of a chart 
depicting this area are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIA1                                           41[deg]26'N  68[deg]30'W
                                                          .            .
CAIA2                                           41[deg]09'N  68[deg]30'W
                                                          .            .
                  CAIA3                         41[deg]4.54  69[deg]0.9'
                                                        'N.           W.
CAIA1                                           41[deg]26'N  68[deg]30'W
                                                          .            .
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as the Closed Area 
I Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (b)(3) of this 
section, except during the period June 15 through January 31 of each 
year the Closed Area I Sea Scallop Access Area is open to scallop 
vessels.
    (5) Number of trips--(i) Limited access vessels. Based on its 
permit category, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may 
fish no more than the maximum number of trips in 2007 in the Closed 
Area I Access Area as specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i), unless the 
vessel owner has made an exchange with another vessel owner whereby the 
vessel gains a Closed Area I Access Area trip and gives up a trip into 
another Sea Scallop Access Area, as specified in Sec.  
648.60(a)(3)(ii), or unless the vessel is taking a compensation trip 
for a prior Closed Area I Access Area trip that was terminated early, 
as specified in Sec.  648.60(c).
    (ii) General category vessels. (A) Except as provided in paragraph 
(b)(5)(ii)(B) of this section, subject to the possession limit 
specified in Sec. Sec.  648.52(a) and (b) and 648.60(g), and subject to 
the seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this 
section, a vessel issued a general category scallop permit, may not 
enter in, or fish for, possess, or land sea scallops in or from the 
Closed Area I Access Area once the Regional Administrator has provided 
notification in the Federal Register, in accordance with Sec.  
648.60(g)(4), that 216 trips in the 2007 fishing year have been taken, 
in total, by all general category scallop vessels. The Regional 
Administrator shall notify all general category scallop vessels of the 
date when the maximum number of allowed trips have been, or are 
projected to be, taken for the 2007 fishing year.
    (B) A vessel issued a NE Multispecies permit and a general category 
scallop permit that is fishing in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 
under multispecies DAS may fish in the Scallop Access Areas without 
being subject to the restrictions of paragraph (b)(5)(ii)(A) of this 
section provided that it has not enrolled in the Scallop Area Access 
program. Such vessel is prohibited from possessing scallops.
    (c) Closed Area II Access Area. This area shall be managed on a 3-
year cycle, with a one-year closure, followed by a two-year Area Access 
Program as follows:
    (1) From March 1, 2007, through February 29, 2008, and every third 
fishing year thereafter, (i.e., March 1, 2010, through February 28, 
2011, etc.) vessels issued scallop permits, except vessels issued a NE 
Multispecies permit and a general category scallop permit and fishing 
in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS, may 
not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from, the area known as 
the Closed Area II Access Area, described in paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section.
    (2) Through February 28, 2007, and for every 2-year period after 
the year-long closure described in paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
(i.e., March 1, 2008, through February 28, 2010, etc.) and subject to 
the seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this 
section, a vessel issued a scallop permit may fish for, possess, or 
land scallops in or from, the area known as the Closed Area II Sea 
Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, 
only if the vessel is participating in, and complies with the 
requirements of, the area access program described in Sec.  648.60.
    (3) The Closed Area II Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIIA1                                          41[deg]00'N  67[deg]20'W
                                                          .            .

[[Page 16105]]

 
CAIIA2                                          41[deg]00'N  66[deg]35.8
                                                          .          'W.
CAIIA3                                          41[deg]18.6  66[deg]24.8
                                                        'N.          'W.
CAIIA4                                          41[deg]36'N  66[deg]34.8
                                                          .          'W.
CAIIA5                                          41[deg]30'N  67[deg]20'W
                                                          .            .
CAIIA1                                          41[deg]00'N  67[deg]20'W
                                                          .            .
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Closed Area 
II Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (c)(3) of this 
section, except during the period June 15 through January 31 of each 
year the Closed Area II Access Area is open to scallop vessels.
    (5) Number of trips--(i) Limited access vessels. Based on its 
permit category, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may 
fish no more than the maximum number of trips in 2006 in the Closed 
Area II Access Area as specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i), unless the 
vessel owner has made an exchange with another vessel owner whereby the 
vessel gains a Closed Area II Access Area trip and gives up a trip into 
another Sea Scallop Access Area, as specified in Sec.  
648.60(a)(3)(ii), or unless the vessel is taking a compensation trip 
for a prior Closed Area II Access Area trip that was terminated early, 
as specified in Sec.  648.60(c).
    (ii) General category vessels. (A) Except as provided in paragraph 
(c)(5)(ii)(B) of this section, subject to the possession limits 
specified in Sec. Sec.  648.52(a) and (b) and 648.60(g), and subject to 
the seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph (c)(4) of this 
section, a vessel issued a general category scallop permit, may not 
enter in, or fish for, possess, or land sea scallops in or from the 
Closed Area II Access Area once the Regional Administrator has provided 
notification in the Federal Register, in accordance with Sec.  
648.60(g)(4), that 865 trips in the 2006 fishing year have been taken, 
in total, by all general category scallop vessels. The Regional 
Administrator shall notify all general category scallop vessels of the 
date when the maximum number of allowed trips have been, or are 
projected to be, taken for the 2006 fishing year.
    (B) A vessel issued a NE Multispecies permit and a general category 
scallop permit that is fishing in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 
under multispecies DAS may fish in the Scallop Access Areas without 
being subject to the restrictions of paragraph (c)(5)(ii)(A) of this 
section provided that it has not enrolled in the Scallop Area Access 
program. Such vessel is prohibited from possessing scallops.
    (d) Nantucket Lightship Access Area. (1) From March 1, 2008, 
through February 28, 2009, and every third fishing year thereafter 
(i.e., March 1, 2011, through February 29, 2012 2014, etc.) vessels 
issued scallop permits, except vessels issued a NE Multispecies permit 
and a general category scallop permit and fishing in an approved SAP 
under Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS, may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Nantucket 
Lightship Access Area, described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section.
    (2) Through February 29, 2008, and for every 2-year period after 
each the year-long closure described in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section (i.e., March 1, 2009, through February 28, 2011, etc.) and 
subject to the seasonal restrictions specified in paragraph (d)(4) of 
this section, a vessel issued a scallop permit may fish for, possess, 
or land scallops in or from, the area known as the Nantucket Lightship 
Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, 
only if the vessel is participating in, and complies with the 
requirements of, the area access program described in Sec.  648.60.
    (3) The Nantucket Lightship Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLSA1                                           40[deg]50'N  69[deg]00'W
                                                          .            .
NLSA2                                           40[deg]30'N  69[deg]00'W
                                                          .            .
NLSA3                                           40[deg]30'N  69[deg]14.5
                                                          .          'W.
NLSA4                                           40[deg]50'N  69[deg]29.5
                                                          .          'W.
NLAS1                                           40[deg]50'N  69[deg]00'W
                                                          .            .
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Nantucket 
Lightship Sea Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (d)(3) of 
this section, except during the period June 15 through January 31 of 
each year the Nantucket Lightship Access Area is open to scallop 
fishing.
    (5) Number of trips--(i) Limited access vessels. Based on its 
permit category, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may 
fish no more than the maximum number of trips in 2006 and 2007 in the 
Nantucket Lightship Access Area as specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i), 
unless the vessel owner has made an exchange with another vessel owner 
whereby the vessel gains a Nantucket Lightship Access Area trip and 
gives up a trip into another Sea Scallop Access Area, as specified in 
Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(ii), or unless the vessel is taking a compensation 
trip for a prior Nantucket Lightship Closed Area Access Area trip that 
was terminated early, as specified in Sec.  648.60(c).
    (ii) General category vessels. (A) Except as provided in paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii)(B) of this section, subject to the possession limits 
specified in Sec. Sec.  648.52(a) and (b) and 648.60(g), a vessel 
issued a general category scallop permit, may not enter in, or fish 
for, possess, or land sea scallops in or from the Nantucket Lightship 
Access Area once the Regional Administrator has provided notification 
in the Federal Register, in accordance with Sec.  648.60(g)(4), that 
577 trips in the 2006 fishing year, and 394 trips in the 2007 fishing 
year, have been taken, in total, by all general category scallop 
vessels. The Regional Administrator shall notify all general category 
scallop vessels of the date when the maximum number of allowed trips 
have been, or are projected to be, taken for the 2006 and 2007 fishing 
years.
    (B) A vessel issued a NE Multispecies permit and a general category 
scallop permit that is fishing in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 
under multispecies DAS may fish in the Scallop Access Areas without 
being subject to the restrictions of paragraph (d)(5)(ii)(A) of this 
section provided that it has not enrolled in the Scallop Area Access 
program. Such vessel is prohibited from possessing scallops.
    (e) Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop Access Area. (1) From January 1, 
2007, through February 29, 2012, and subject to the seasonal 
restrictions specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this section, a vessel 
issued a scallop permit may fish for, possess, or land scallops in or 
from, the area known as the Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop Access Area, 
described in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, only if the vessel is 
participating in, and complies with the requirements of, the area 
access program described in Sec.  648.60.
    (2) The Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop Access Area is defined by 
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated 
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional 
Administrator upon request):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Point                        Latitude    Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETAA1                                           38[deg]50'N  74[deg]20'W
                                                          .            .
ETAA2                                           38[deg]10'N  74[deg]20'W
                                                          .            .
ETAA3                                           38[deg]10'N  73[deg]30'W
                                                          .            .
                  ETAA4                         38[deg]50'N  73[deg]30'W
                                                          .            .
ETAA1                                           38[deg]50'N  74[deg]20'W
                                                          .            .
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land

[[Page 16106]]

scallops in or from the area known as the Elephant Trunk Sea Scallop 
Access Area, described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section from 
September 1 through October 31 of each year the Elephant Trunk Access 
Area is open to scallop fishing as a Sea Scallop Access Area.
    (4) Number of trips--(i) Limited access vessels. Based on its 
permit category, a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may 
fish no more than the maximum number of trips in the Elephant Trunk Sea 
Scallop Access Area between January 1, 2007, and February 29, 2008, as 
specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i), or as adjusted as specified in 
Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i)(F), unless the vessel owner has made an exchange 
with another vessel owner whereby the vessel gains an Elephant Trunk 
Sea Scallop Access Area trip and gives up a trip into another Sea 
Scallop Access Area, as specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(ii), or unless 
the vessel is taking a compensation trip for a prior Elephant Trunk 
Access Area trip that was terminated early, as specified in Sec.  
648.60(c).
    (ii) General category vessels. Subject to the possession limits 
specified in Sec. Sec.  648.52(a) and (b) and 648.60(g), a vessel 
issued a general category scallop permit, may not enter in, or fish 
for, possess, or land sea scallops in or from the Elephant Trunk Sea 
Scallop Access Area once the Regional Administrator has provided 
notification in the Federal Register, in accordance with Sec.  
648.60(g)(4), that 1,360 trips allocated for the period January 1, 
2007, through February 29, 2008, unless adjusted as specified in Sec.  
648.60(a)(3)(i)(F), have been taken, in total, by all general category 
scallop vessels. The Regional Administrator shall notify all general 
category scallop vessels of the date when the maximum number of allowed 
trips have been, or are projected to be, taken for the period January 
1, 2007 through February 29, 2008.
    (f) Transiting. A sea scallop vessel that has not declared a trip 
into the Sea Scallop Area Access Program may enter the Sea Scallop 
Access Areas described in paragraphs (a), (b), (d), and (e), of this 
section, and possess scallops not caught in the Sea Scallop Access 
Areas, for transiting purposes only provided the vessel's fishing gear 
is stowed in accordance with Sec.  648.23(b), or there is a compelling 
safety reason to be in such areas without such gear being stowed. A 
scallop vessel that has declared a trip into the Sea Scallop Area 
Access Program may transit a Scallop Access Area while steaming to or 
from another Scallop Access Area, provided the vessel's fishing gear is 
stowed in accordance with Sec.  648.23(b), or there is a compelling 
safety reason to be in such areas without such gear being stowed. A 
vessel may only transit the Closed Area II Access Area, as described in 
paragraph (c) of this section, if there is a compelling safety reason 
for transiting the area and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed in 
accordance with Sec.  648.23(b).
    14. Section 648.60 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.60  Sea scallop area access program requirements.

    (a) A vessel issued a limited access scallop permit may only fish 
in the Sea Scallop Access Areas specified in Sec.  648.59, subject to 
the seasonal restrictions specified in Sec.  648.59, when fishing under 
a scallop DAS, provided the vessel complies with the requirements 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(9) and (b) through (f) of 
this section. A general category scallop vessel may fish in the Sea 
Scallop Access Areas specified in Sec.  648.59, subject to the seasonal 
restrictions specified in Sec.  648.59, provided the vessel complies 
with the requirements specified in paragraphs (g) of this section.
    (1) VMS. Each vessel participating in the Sea Scallop Access Area 
Program must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets 
the minimum performance criteria specified in Sec.  Sec.  648.9 and 
648.10, and paragraph (e) of this section.
    (2) Declaration. (i) Vessels participating in the Sea Scallop 
Access Area Program must comply with the trip declaration requirements 
specified in Sec.  648.10(b)(4).
    (ii) To fish in a Sea Scallop Access Area, each participating 
vessel owner or operator shall declare a Sea Scallop Access Area trip 
via VMS less than one hour prior to the vessel leaving port, in 
accordance with instructions to be provided by the Regional 
Administrator.
    (3) Number of Sea Scallop Access Area trips.--(i) Limited Access 
Vessel trips. (A) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, 
and unless the number of trips is adjusted for the Elephant Trunk 
Access Area as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F) of this section, 
paragraphs (a)(3)(i)(B) through (E) specify the total number of trips 
that limited access scallop vessels may take into Sea Scallop Access 
Areas during applicable seasons specified in Sec.  648.59. The number 
of trips per vessel in any one Sea Scallop Access Area may not exceed 
the maximum number of trips allocated for such Sea Scallop Access Area 
as specified in Sec.  648.59, unless the vessel owner has exchanged a 
trip with another vessel owner for an additional Sea Scallop Access 
Area trip, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section, been 
allocated a compensation trip pursuant to paragraph (c) of this 
section, or unless the Elephant Trunk Access Area trip allocations are 
adjusted as specified in Sec.  648.60(a)(3)(i)(F).
    (B) Full-time scallop vessels. In the 2006 fishing year, a full 
time scallop vessel may take 3 trips in the Closed Area II Access Area, 
and 2 trips in the Nantucket Lightship Access Area. In the 2007 fishing 
year, full time scallop vessels may take 1 trip in the Closed Area I 
Access Area, 1 trip in the Nantucket Lightship Access Area, and 5 trips 
in the Elephant Trunk Access Area, unless adjusted as specified in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F) of this section.
    (C) Part-time scallop vessels. In the 2006 fishing year, a part-
time scallop vessel may take 1 trip in the Closed Area II Access Area 
and 1 trip in the Nantucket Lightship Access Area; or 2 trips in the 
Closed Area II Access Area; or 2 trips in the Nantucket Lightship 
Access Area. In the 2007 fishing year, a part-time scallop vessel may 
take one trip in the Closed Area I Access Area, one trip in the 
Nantucket Lightship Access Area, and one trip in the Elephant Trunk 
Access Area; or one trip in the Closed Area I Access Area and 2 trips 
in the Elephant Trunk Access Area; or one trip in the Nantucket 
Lightship Access Area and 2 trips in the Elephant Trunk Access Area; or 
3 trips in the Elephant Trunk Access Area unless adjusted as specified 
in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F) of this section.
    (D) Occasional scallop vessels. Occasional scallop vessels may take 
one trip in the 2006 fishing year and one trip in the 2007 fishing year 
into any of the Access Areas described in Sec.  648.59 that is open 
during the specified fishing years.
    (E) Hudson Canyon Access Area trips. In addition to the number of 
trips specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B) through (C) of this sections, 
vessels may fish remaining Hudson Canyon Access Area trips allocated 
for the 2005 fishing year in the Hudson Canyon Access Area in the 2006 
and/or 2007 fishing year as specified in Sec.  648.59(a)(3). The 
maximum number of trips that a vessel could take in the Hudson Canyon 
Access Area in the 2005 fishing year was 3 trips, unless a vessel 
acquired additional trips through an authorized one-for-one exchange as 
specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section. Full-time scallop 
vessels were allocated 3 trips into the Hudson Canyon Access Area. 
Part-time vessels were allocated 2 trips that could be distributed 
among Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and the Hudson Canyon Access 
Areas, not to exceed one trip in the Closed Area I or

[[Page 16107]]

Closed Area II Access Areas. Occasional vessels were allocated 1 trip 
that could be taken in any Access Area that was open in the 2005 
fishing year.
    (F) Procedure for adjusting the number of 2007 fishing year trips 
in the Elephant Trunk Access Area. (1) The Regional Administrator shall 
reduce the number of Elephant Trunk Access Area trips using the table 
in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(F)(2) provided that an updated biomass 
projection is available with sufficient time to announce such an 
adjustment through publication of a final rule in the Federal Register, 
pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, on or about December 1, 
2006. If information is not available in time for NMFS to publish a 
final rule on or about December 1, 2006, no adjustment may be made. The 
adjustment of the 2007 Elephant Trunk Access Area trip allocations 
shall be based on all available scientific surveys of scallops within 
the Elephant Trunk Access Area. Survey data must be available with 
sufficient time for review and incorporation in the biomass estimate. 
If NMFS determines that a survey is not scientifically sound and 
unbiased, those results shall not be used to estimate biomass. If no 
other surveys are available, the annual NOAA scallop resource survey 
shall be used alone to estimate exploitable scallop biomass for the 
Elephant Trunk Access Area.
    (2) Table of total allowable catch and trip allocation adjustments 
based on exploitable biomass estimates and revised target total 
allowable catch levels. The following table specifies the adjustments 
that would be made through the procedure specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(i)(F)(1) of this section under various biomass estimates and 
adjusted 2007 target total allowable catch (TAC) estimates:

    Updated Estimates of Elephant Trunk Access Area Biomass In Metric Tons (mt) and Millions of Pounds (mlb)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            22,920        28,651
                                                           Below 22,920    28,650 mt     34,380 mt      Above
                                                             mt (50.5     (50.5 63.1    (63.2 75.7    34,381 mt
                                                               mlb)          mlb)          mlb)       (75.8 mlb)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted 2007 Target Total Allowable Catch                    5,234 mt      7,851 mt     10,468 mt    13,085 mt
                                                            (11.5 mlb)    (17.3 mlb)   (23.08 mlb)   (28.8 mlb)
Adjusted 2007 TAC for Research and General Category             103 mt        157 mt        209 mt       262 mt
 Fishery                                                   (0.228 mlb)   (0.346 mlb)   (0.461 mlb)   (0.578 mlb)
Adjusted 2007 Observer TAC                                 52 mt (0.114  78 mt (0.173       105 mt       131 mt
                                                                  mlb)          mlb)   (0.231 mlb)   (0.289 mlb)
Maximum Number of Limited Access Trips per Vessel                    2             3             4           No
                                                                                                     adjustment
General Category Trips                                             570           865         1,154           No
                                                                                                     adjustment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) One-for-one area access trip exchanges. (A) If the total 
number of trips allocated to a vessel into all Sea Scallop Access Areas 
combined is more than one, the owner of a vessel issued a limited 
access scallop permit may exchange, on a one-for-one basis, unutilized 
trips into one access area for another vessel's unutilized trips into 
another Sea Scallop Access Area. One-for-one exchanges may be made only 
between vessels with the same permit category. For example, a full-time 
vessel may not exchange trips with a part-time vessel and vice versa. 
Vessel owners must request the exchange of trips by submitting a 
completed Trip Exchange Form at least 15 days before the date on which 
the applicant desires the exchange to be effective. Trip exchange forms 
are available by request from the Regional Administrator. Each vessel 
involved in an exchange is required to submit a completed Trip Exchange 
Form. The Regional Administrator shall review the records for each 
vessel to confirm that each vessel has unutilized trips remaining to 
exchange. The exchange is not effective until the vessel owner(s) 
receive a confirmation in writing from the Regional Administrator that 
the trip exchange has been made effective. A vessel owner may exchange 
trips between two or more vessels under his/her ownership. A vessel 
owner holding a Confirmation of Permit History is not eligible to 
exchange trips between another vessel and the vessel for which a 
Confirmation of Permit History has been issued.
    (B) The owner of a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit 
may exchange, on a one-for-one basis, unutilized Closed Area I and 
Nantucket Lightship Access Area trips allocated for the 2006 fishing 
year as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section for Elephant 
Trunk Access Area trips allocated for the 2007 fishing year as 
specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section. If Elephant Trunk 
Access Area allocations are reduced as specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(i)(F), vessels that have exchanged 2006 Closed Area I and/or 
Nantucket Lightship Access Area trips for 2007 Elephant Trunk Access 
Area trips will have excess Elephant Trunk Access Area trips acquired 
through the exchange deducted from their available 2007 Elephant Trunk 
Access Area trip allocation.
    (4) Area fished. While on a Sea Scallop Access Area trip, a vessel 
may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from areas outside 
the Sea Scallop Access Area in which the vessel operator has declared 
the vessel will fish during that trip, and may not enter or exit the 
specific declared Sea Scallop Access Area more than once per trip. A 
vessel on a Sea Scallop Access Area trip may not enter or be in another 
Sea Scallop Access Area on the same trip except such vessel may transit 
another Sea Scallop Access Area provided its gear is stowed in 
accordance with Sec.  648.23(b).
    (i) Reallocation of trips into open areas. If the yellowtail 
flounder TAC allocated for a Scallop Access Area specified in Sec.  
648.59(b) through (d) has been harvested and such area has been closed, 
a vessel with trips remaining to be taken in such Access Areas may fish 
the remaining DAS associated with the unused trip(s) in Open Areas, up 
to the maximum DAS specified in Sec.  648.53(b)(4)(i) through (iii).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (5) Possession and landing limits--(i) Scallop possession limits. 
Unless

[[Page 16108]]

authorized by the Regional Administrator as specified in paragraphs (c) 
and (d) of this section, after declaring a trip into a Sea Scallop 
Access Area, a vessel owner or operator of a limited access scallop 
vessel may fish for, possess, and land, per trip, scallops, up to the 
maximum amounts specified in the table in this paragraph (a)(5). No 
vessel fishing in the Sea Scallop Access Area may possess shoreward of 
the VMS demarcation line or land, more than 50 bu (17.6 hl) of in-shell 
scallops.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          Possession Limit
                Fishing Year                           Access Area         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Full-time                 Part-time                Occasional
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2006                                                                     Closed18,000 lb (8,165 kg)      18,000 lb (8,165 kg)       7,500 lb (3,402 kg)
                                                      Nantucket Lightship   ........................  ........................  ........................
2007                                                                     Closed18,000 lb (8,165 kg)      16,800 lb (7,620 kg)       7,500 lb (3,402 kg)
                                                      Nantucket Lightship   ........................  ........................  ........................
                                                           Elephant Trunk   ........................  ........................  ........................
2006 and 2007                                                     Hudson Canyon18,000 lb (8,165 kg)      18,000 lb (8,165 kg)       7,500 lb (3,402 kg)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) NE multispecies possession limits and yellowtail flounder TAC. 
Subject to the seasonal restriction established under the Sea Scallop 
Area Access Program and specified in 648.59(b)(4), (c)(4), and (d)(4), 
and provided the vessel has been issued a scallop multispecies 
possession limit permit as specified in Sec.  648.4(a)(1)(ii), after 
declaring a trip into a Sea Scallop Access Area and fishing within the 
Access Areas described in Sec.  648.59(b) through (d), and provided the 
vessel has been issued a Scallop NE Multispecies Possession Limit 
permit as specified in Sec.  648.4(a)(1)(ii), a vessel owner or 
operator of a limited access scallop vessel may fish for, possess, and 
land, per trip, up to a maximum of 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of all NE 
multispecies combined, subject to the minimum commercial fish size 
restrictions specified in Sec.  648.83(a)(2), and the additional 
restrictions for Atlantic cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder 
specified in paragraphs (a)(5)(ii)(A) through (C) of this section.
    (A) Atlantic Cod. Such vessels may bring onboard and possess only 
up to 100 lb (45.4 kg) of Atlantic cod per trip, provided such fish is 
intended for personal use only and cannot be not sold, traded, or 
bartered.
    (B) Haddock. Such vessels may possess and land haddock up to the 
overall possession limit of all NE multispecies combined, as specified 
in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section except that such vessels are 
prohibited from possessing or landing haddock from January 1 through 
June 30.
    (C) Yellowtail flounder--(1) Yellowtail flounder TACs. Such vessels 
may catch yellowtail flounder up to the TACs specified in Sec.  
648.85(c) for the Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and Nantucket 
Lightship Access Scallop Areas. The Regional Administrator shall 
publish notification in the Federal Register in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act, to notify scallop vessel owners that the 
scallop fishery portion of the TAC for a yellowtail flounder stock has 
been or is projected to be harvested by scallop vessels in any Access 
Area. Upon notification in the Federal Register that a TAC has been or 
is projected to be harvested, scallop vessels are prohibited from 
declaring and initiating a trip within the Access Area(s), where the 
TAC applies, for the remainder of the fishing year. The yellowtail 
flounder TACs allocated to scallop vessels may be increased by the 
Regional Administrator after December 1 of each year pursuant to Sec.  
648.85(c)(2).
    (2) SNE/MA yellowtail flounder possession limit. Such vessels 
fishing within the Nantucket Lightship Access Area described in Sec.  
648.59(d), may fish for, possess, and land yellowtail flounder up to 
the overall possession limit of all NE multispecies combined as 
specified in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section, except that such 
vessels may not fish for, possess, and land more than 250 lb (113.6 kg) 
per trip of yellowtail flounder between June 15 and June 30, provided 
the yellowtail flounder TAC as specified in Sec.  648.85(c)(i) has not 
been harvested.
    (3) GB yellowtail flounder possession limit. After declaring a trip 
into and fishing within the Closed Area I or Closed Area II Access Area 
described in Sec.  648.59(b) and (c), the vessel owner or operator of a 
limited access scallop vessel may fish for, possess, and land up to 
1,000 lb (453.6 kg) per trip of yellowtail flounder subject to the 
amount of other NE multispecies onboard, provided the yellowtail 
flounder TAC specified in Sec.  648.85(c) has not been harvested. If 
the yellowtail flounder TAC established for the Eastern U.S./Canada 
Area pursuant to Sec.  648.85(a)(2) has been or is projected to be 
harvested, as described in Sec.  648.85(a)(3)(iv)(C)(3), scallop 
vessels are prohibited from harvesting, possessing, or landing 
yellowtail flounder in or from the Closed Area I and Closed Area II 
Access Areas.
    (iii) [Reserved]
    (6) Gear restrictions. (i) The minimum ring size for dredge gear 
used by a vessel fishing on a Sea Scallop Access Area trip is 4 inches 
(10.2 cm) in diameter. Dredge or trawl gear used by a vessel fishing on 
a Sea Scallop Access Area trip must be in accordance with the 
restrictions specified in Sec.  648.51(a) and (b).
    (ii) Vessels fishing in the Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and 
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area Sea Scallop Access Areas described in 
Sec.  648.59(b) through (d) are prohibited from fishing with trawl gear 
as specified in Sec.  648.51(f)(1).
    (7) Transiting. While outside a Sea Scallop Access Area on a Sea 
Scallop Access Area trip, the vessel must have all fishing gear stowed 
in accordance with Sec.  648.23(b), unless there is a compelling safety 
reason to be transiting the area without gear stowed.
    (8) Off-loading restrictions. The vessel may not off-load its catch 
from a Sea Scallop Access Area trip at more than one location per trip
    (9) Reporting. The owner or operator must submit reports through 
the VMS, in accordance with instructions to be provided by the Regional 
Administrator, for each day fished when declared in the Sea Scallop 
Area Access Program, including trips accompanied by a NMFS-approved 
observer. The reports must be submitted in 24-hour intervals, for each 
day beginning at 0000 hours and ending at 2400 hours. The reports must 
be submitted by 0900 hours of the following day and must include the 
following information:
    (i) Total pounds/kilograms of scallop meats kept, total number of 
tows and the Fishing Vessel Trip Report log page number.
    (ii) Total pounds/kilograms of yellowtail flounder kept and total 
pounds/kilograms of yellowtail flounder discarded.

[[Page 16109]]

    (b) [Reserved]
    (c) Compensation for Sea Scallop Access Area trips terminated 
early. If a Sea Scallop Access Area trip is terminated before catching 
the allowed possession limit, the vessel may be authorized to fish an 
additional trip in the same Sea Scallop Access Area based on the 
conditions and requirements of paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this 
section.
    (1) The vessel owner/operator has determined that the Sea Scallop 
Access Area trip should be terminated early for reasons deemed 
appropriate by the operator of the vessel;
    (2) The amount of scallops landed by the vessel for the trip must 
be less than the maximum possession limit specified in paragraph (a)(5) 
of this section.
    (3) The vessel owner/operator must report the termination of the 
trip prior to leaving the Sea Scallop Access Area by VMS email 
messaging, with the following information: Vessel name, vessel owner, 
vessel operator, time of trip termination, reason for terminating the 
trip (for NMFS recordkeeping purposes), expected date and time of 
return to port, and amount of scallops on board in pounds.
    (4) The vessel owners/operator must request that the Regional 
Administrator authorize an additional trip as compensation for the 
terminated trip by submitting a written request to the Regional 
Administrator within 30 days of the vessel's return to port from the 
terminated trip.
    (5) The Regional Administrator shall authorize the vessel to take 
an additional trip and shall specify the amount of scallops that the 
vessel may land on such trip pursuant to the calculation specified in 
paragraph (c)(5)(i) of this section. Such authorization shall be made 
within 10 days of receipt of the formal written request for 
compensation.
    (i) The amount of scallops that can be landed on an authorized 
additional Sea Scallop Access Area trip shall equal the possession 
limit specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section minus the amount of 
scallops landed on the terminated trip. For example, if the possession 
limit for a full-time vessel is 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) per trip, and the 
vessel lands 6,500 lb (2,948.4 kg) of scallops and requests 
compensation for the terminated trip, the possession limit for the 
additional trip is 11,500 lb (5,216.3 kg) or 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) minus 
6,500 lb (2,948.4 kg)).
    (ii) If a vessel is authorized more than one additional trip for 
compensation into any Sea Scallop Access Area as the result of more 
than one terminated trip in the same Access Area, the possession limits 
for the authorized trips may be combined, provided the total possession 
limit on a combined compensation trip does not exceed the possession 
limit for a trip as specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section. For 
example, a vessel that has two broken trips with corresponding 
compensation trip authorizations of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) and 8,000 lb 
(3,629 kg) may combine the authorizations to allow one compensation 
trip with a possession limit of 18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
    (iii) A vessel operator must comply with all notification 
requirements prior to taking a compensation trip, and for each 
compensation trip, must enter a trip identification number by entering 
the number in the VMS for each compensation trip. The trip 
identification number will be included in the Regional Administrator's 
authorization for each compensation trip. If a vessel operator is 
combining compensation trips, the trip identification numbers from each 
authorization must be entered into VMS.
    (iv) Unutilized 2005 Hudson Canyon Compensation Trips. A vessel 
that terminated a 2005 Hudson Canyon Access Area trip shall be issued 
authorization to take an additional trip as compensation for the trip 
terminated early pursuant to paragraphs (c)(5) of this section. Such 
additional trips may be taken at any time during the 2006 or 2007 
fishing years, as specified in Sec.  648.59(a)(3).
    (v) Compensation trip carryover. If an Access Area trip conducted 
during the last 60 days of the open period or season for the Access 
Area is terminated before catching the allowed possession limit, and 
the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section are met, the vessel 
operator shall be authorized to fish an additional trip as compensation 
for the terminated trip in the following fishing year. The vessel 
owner/operator must take such compensation trips, complying with the 
trip notification procedures specified in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this 
section, within the first 60 days of that fishing year the Access Area 
first opens in the subsequent fishing year. For example, a vessel that 
terminates a Nantucket Lightship Access Area trip on December 10, 2006, 
must declare that it is beginning its compensation trip during the 
first 60 days that the Access Area is open (June 15, 2007, through 
August 15, 2007). If an Access Area is not open in the subsequent 
fishing year, then the compensation trip authorization would expire at 
the end of the Access Area Season in which the trip was broken. For 
example, a vessel that terminates a Closed Area II trip on December 10, 
2006, may not carry its compensation trip into the 2007 fishing year 
because Closed Area II is not open during the 2007 fishing year, and 
must complete any compensation trip by January 31, 2007.
    (d) Possession limit to defray costs of observers--(1) Observer 
set-aside limits by area--(i) Hudson Canyon Access Area. For 2006 and 
2007 combined, the observer set-aside for the Hudson Canyon Access Area 
is 149,562 lb (67.8 mt).
    (ii) Closed Area I Access Area. For the 2007 fishing year, the 
observer set-aside for the Closed Area I Access Area is 43,207 lb (20 
mt).
    (iii) Closed Area II Access Area. For the 2006 fishing year, the 
observer set-aside for the Closed Area II Access Area is 173,085 lb (79 
mt).
    (iv) Nantucket Lightship Access Area. For the 2006 and 2007 fishing 
years, the observer set-asides for the Nantucket Lightship Access Area 
are 115,390 lb (52 mt) and 78,727 lb (36 mt), respectively.
    (v) Elephant Trunk Access Area. From January 1, 2007, through 
February 29, 2008, the observer set-aside for the Elephant Trunk Access 
Area is 272,000 lb (123 mt), unless adjusted as specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(i)(F) of this section.
    (2) Increase in the possession limit to defray the costs of 
observers. The Regional Administrator may increase the sea scallop 
possession limit specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section to 
defray costs of at-sea observers deployed on area access trips subject 
to the limits specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section. Owners of 
scallop vessels shall be notified of the increase in the possession 
limit through a permit holder letter issued by the Regional 
Administrator. If the observer set-aside is fully utilized prior to the 
end of the fishing year, the Regional Administrator shall notify owners 
of scallop vessels that, effective on a specified date, the possession 
limit will be decreased to the level specified in paragraph (a)(5) of 
this section. Unless otherwise notified by the Regional Administrator, 
vessel owners shall be responsible for paying the cost of the observer, 
regardless of whether the vessel lands or sells sea scallops on that 
trip, and regardless of the availability of set-aside for an increased 
possession limit.
    (e) Possession limits and/or number of trips to defray the costs of 
sea scallop research--(1) Research set-aside limits and number of trips 
by area--(i) Hudson Canyon Access Area. For the 2006 and 2007 fishing 
years combined, the research set-aside for the Hudson Canyon Access 
Area is 299,123 (135.7 mt).

[[Page 16110]]

    (ii) Closed Area I Access Area. For the 2007 fishing year, the 
research set-aside for the Closed Area I Access Area is 84,414 lb (38 
mt).
    (iii) Closed Area II Access Area. For the 2006 fishing year, the 
research set-aside for the Closed Area II Access Area is 346,170 lb 
(157 mt).
    (iv) Nantucket Lightship Access Area. For the 2006 and 2007 fishing 
years, the research set-asides for the Nantucket Lightship Access Area 
are 230,780 lb (105 mt) and 157,454 lb (71 mt), respectively.
    (v) Elephant Trunk Access Area. From January 1, 2007, through 
February 29, 2008, the research set-aside for the Elephant Trunk Access 
Area is 544,000 lb (247 mt), unless adjusted as specified in 
(a)(3)(i)(E) of this section.
    (2) Increase of possession limit to defray the costs of sea scallop 
research. The Regional Administrator may increase the sea scallop 
possession limit specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section or allow 
additional trips into a Sea Scallop Access Area to defray costs for 
approved sea scallop research up to the amount specified in paragraph 
(e)(1) of this section.
    (3) Yellowtail flounder research TAC set-aside. Vessels conducting 
research approved under the process described in Sec.  648.56, and in 
the Access Areas specified in Sec.  648.59(b) through (d) may harvest 
yellowtail flounder up to an amount that equals 0.2 percent of the 
yellowtail flounder TACs established annually, according to the 
specification procedure described in Sec.  648.85(a)(2), and subject to 
the possession limits specified in paragraph (a)(5)(ii)(C) of this 
section. If vessels participating in approved scallop research harvest 
an amount of yellowtail flounder equal to 0.2 percent of the yellowtail 
flounder TACs established annually, according to the specification 
procedure described in Sec.  648.85(a)(2), research may no longer be 
authorized in the applicable Access Area and participating vessels may 
harvest scallops in open areas, under open area DAS. The amount of open 
area DAS authorized if the 0.2 percent of the yellowtail flounder TAC 
is harvested shall be determined by multiplying the DAS ratio described 
in Sec.  648.53(b)(4)(i), (ii), or (iii), by the amount of scallop 
pounds authorized in the applicable access area, divided by 1,500 lb 
(680 kg) per day.
    (f) VMS polling. For the duration of the Sea Scallop Area Access 
Program, as described in this section, all sea scallop vessels equipped 
with a VMS unit shall be polled at a minimum of twice per hour, 
regardless of whether the vessel is enrolled in the Sea Scallop Area 
Access Program. Vessel owners shall be responsible for paying the costs 
of polling twice per hour.
    (g) General category scallop vessels. (1) A vessel issued a general 
category scallop permit, except a vessel issued a NE Multispecies 
permit and a general category scallop permit that is fishing in an 
approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 under multispecies DAS that has not 
enrolled in the general category Access Area fishery, may only fish in 
the Closed Area I, Closed Area II, and Nantucket Lightship Sea Scallop 
Access Areas specified in Sec.  648.59(b) through (d), subject to the 
seasonal restrictions specified in Sec.  648.59(b)(4), (c)(4), and 
(d)(4), and subject to the possession limit specified in Sec.  
648.52(a), and provided the vessel complies with the requirements 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(6) through (a)(9), (d), 
(e), (f), and (g) of this section, and Sec.  648.85(c)(3)(ii). A vessel 
issued a NE Multispecies permit and a general category scallop permit 
that is fishing in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 under 
multispecies DAS that has not enrolled in the Sea Scallop Area Access 
program as specified in paragraph (a)(2) is not subject to the 
restrictions and requirements specified in Sec.  648.59(b)(5)(ii), 
(c)(5)(ii), (d)(5)(ii), and this paragraph (g), and is prohibited from 
retaining scallops on such trips.
    (2) Gear restrictions. General category vessels fishing in the 
Access Areas specified in Sec.  648.59(b) through (d) must fish with 
dredge gear only. The combined dredge width in use by, or in possession 
on board, general category scallop vessels fishing in the Access Areas 
described in Sec.  648.59(b) through (d) may not exceed 10.5 ft (3.2 
m), measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge.
    (3) Scallop TAC. General category vessels fishing in the Access 
Areas specified in Sec.  648.59(b) through (d) are authorized to land 
scallops, subject to the possession limit specified in Sec.  648.52(a), 
up to the amount allocated to the scallop TACs for each Access Area 
specified below. If the scallop TAC for a specified Access Area has 
been, or is projected to be harvested, the Regional Administrator shall 
publish notification in the Federal Register, in accordance with the 
Administrative Procedure Act, to notify general category vessels that 
they may no longer fish within the specified Access Area.
    (i) Closed Area I Access Area. 86,414 (38 mt) in 2007.
    (ii) Closed Area II Access Area. 346,170 (157 mt) in 2006.
    (iii) Nantucket Lightship Access Area. 230,780 lb (105 mt) in 2006, 
and 157,454 lb (71 mt).
    (iv) Elephant Trunk Access Area. 544,000 lb (247 mt) from January 
1, 2007 through February 29, 2008, unless adjusted as specified in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i)(E) of this section.
    (v) Possession Limits--(A) Scallops. A vessel issued a NE 
Multispecies permit and a general category scallop permit that is 
fishing in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 under multispecies DAS 
that has not enrolled in the general category Access Area fishery is 
prohibited from possessing scallops. General category scallop vessels 
fishing in the Access Areas specified in Sec.  648.59(b) through (e) 
may possess scallops up to the possession limit specified in Sec.  
648.52(b), subject to a limit on the total number of trips that can be 
taken by all such vessels into the Access Areas, as specified in Sec.  
648.59(b)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(ii), (d)(5)(ii), and (e)(4)(ii). If the number 
of trips allowed have been or are projected to be taken, the Regional 
Administrator shall publish notification in the Federal Register, in 
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, to notify general 
category vessels that they may no longer fish within the specified 
Access Area.
    (B) Other species. Except for vessels issued a general category 
scallop permit and fishing under an approved NE multispecies SAP under 
NE multispecies DAS, general category vessels fishing in the Access 
Areas specified in Sec.  648.59(b) through (d) are prohibited from 
possessing any species of fish other than scallops.
    (4) Number of trips. General category scallop vessels may not fish 
for, possess, or land scallops in or from the Access Areas specified in 
Sec.  648.59(b) through (e) after the effective date of the 
notification published in the Federal Register, stating that the total 
number of trips specified in Sec.  648.59(b)(5)(ii), (c)(5)(ii), 
(d)(5)(ii), and (e)(4)(ii) have been, or are projected to be, taken by 
general category scallop vessels.
* * * * *
    13. In Sec.  648.85, paragraph (c)(1) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.85  Special management programs.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) Yellowtail flounder bycatch TAC allocation. An amount of 
yellowtail flounder equal to 10 percent of the total yellowtail 
flounder TAC for each of the stock area specified in paragraphs 
(c)(1)(i) and (c)(1)(ii) of this section may be harvested by scallop 
vessels subject to the restrictions of this paragraph. Limited access 
scallop vessels enrolled in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program and 
fishing within the Area Access

[[Page 16111]]

areas defined at Sec.  648.59(b) through (d) may harvest yellowtail 
flounder up to 9.8 percent of the applicable yellowtail flounder TAC. 
Scallop vessels participating in approved research under the process 
described in Sec.  648.56, and fishing in the Access Areas specified in 
Sec.  648.59(b) through (d), may harvest 0.2 percent of the applicable 
yellowtail flounder TAC. The amount of yellowtail flounder that may be 
harvested in each fishing year under this section shall be specified in 
a small entity compliance guide.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 06-3039 Filed 3-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S