[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 16, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54533-54549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19465]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No. 160126052-6052-01]
RIN 0648-BF72


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop 
Fishery; Amendment 19

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to approve and implement through regulations 
measures included in Amendment 19 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery 
Management Plan, which the New England Fishery Management Council 
adopted and submitted to NMFS for approval. Amendment 19 would 
establish a specifications process outside of the current framework 
adjustment process to implement management measures that are typically 
adjusted on an annual or biennial basis and change the start of the 
scallop fishing year from March 1 to April 1. This amendment is 
intended to streamline the development and implementation of annual 
specifications and reduce the administrative burden.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: The Council developed an environmental assessment (EA) for 
this action that describes the proposed measures and other considered 
alternatives and provides a thorough analysis of the impacts of the 
proposed measures and alternatives. Copies of the Amendment, the EA, 
and the Regulatory Impact Review (RIR) are available upon request from 
Thomas A. Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management 
Council, 50 Water Street, Newburyport, MA 01950.
    You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-
2016-0028, by either of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0028, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, 
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope, ``Comments on 
Scallop Amendment 19 Proposed Rule.''
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Travis Ford, Fishery Policy Analyst, 
978-281-9233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The scallop fishery's management unit ranges from the shorelines of 
Maine through North Carolina to the outer boundary of the Exclusive 
Economic Zone. The Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), 
established in 1982, includes a number of amendments and framework 
adjustments that have revised and refined the fishery's management. The 
Council has had to rely on the framework adjustment process to set 
scallop fishery measures, often referred to as specifications, that 
occur annually or biennially. Typically, these specifications include 
annual catch limits, days-at-sea (DAS), rotational area management, 
possession limits, access area trip allocations, individual fishing 
quota (IFQ) allocations, and allocations for vessels with Northern Gulf 
of Maine permits. These framework adjustments often include other 
management measures to the FMP and are often implemented 2 to 3 months 
after the March 1 start of the scallop fishing year (March 1 through 
February 28/29).
    Amendment 4 to the Scallop FMP (59 FR 2757, January 19, 1994), was 
a major

[[Page 54534]]

shift in scallop fishery management. It established a limited access 
permit and effort control program and the new permits and effort 
control became effective on March 1, 1994. Framework Adjustment 1 (59 
FR 36720, July 19, 1994) formally adopted March 1 as the start of the 
scallop fishing year. There was no biological or economic rationale for 
originally selecting this date as the start of the fishing year: 
Framework 1 codified the March 1 Amendment 4 effective date as the 
start of the fishing year so that allocations for 1994 spanned a 12-
month period in order to ensure a reduction in fishing effort the first 
year of the DAS effort-control program. This fishing year has remained 
in place since that time, even though specifications have become 
increasingly more complicated with the development of the scallop 
access area rotation program in 2004 and IFQ fishery in 2010.
    In the last 16 years following Framework 11, there have been 12 
actions that set annual scallop specifications. Four of those actions 
set specifications for 2 years, which ensured that the second year's 
specifications for each of those actions were implemented on March 1. 
Aside from these biennial frameworks, we have only been able to set 
specifications by March 1 on two occasions, both involving special 
circumstances (i.e., the proposed rule was waived for one framework 
action and Council took final action 2 months earlier than usual for 
the other action).
    Typically, the Council begins developing a specifications-setting 
framework in June. Scallop biomass estimates are provided through 
scallop surveys conducted by NMFS and other research institutions in 
the spring and summer. These estimates are not generally available for 
consideration until the early fall, at which point the Scallop Plan 
Development Team (PDT) develops and analyzes fishery allocation 
alternatives for Council consideration. In order to incorporate the 
most recent available scallop survey information into these 
alternatives, which has proved essential in setting appropriate access 
area catch levels, the Council has been taking final action in November 
and NMFS has typically implemented allocations in May or June.
    In 2013, the Council began developing specifications on an annual 
basis via frameworks at the request of the industry to avoid biennial 
specifications that resulted in the second year specifications being 
out of sync with what the most recent annual surveys indicate should be 
harvested in a given area. However, this meant that the annual 
specifications were likely to be late every year due to availability of 
relevant data. To address this problem, the Council has been specifying 
``default'' specifications for the year after annual specifications are 
set to fill the gap between the end of the fishing year and the setting 
of new specifications for the next fishing year. Implementing these 
``default'' specifications every year is an administrative burden to 
NMFS staff and can result in complex inseason changes in fishery 
specifications. In addition, default specifications lead to confusion 
and uncertainty for the fleet, as well as potentially negative impacts 
on the resource and fishery if effort shifts into areas or seasons that 
are less desirable as a result of delayed measures.
    The Council initiated Amendment 19 to develop an alternative to the 
framework adjustment process to implement specifications closer to the 
start of the scallop fishing year. To address these timing issues while 
still supporting the current timeline for integrating the best 
available science into the management process, Amendment 19 proposes 
to:
     Establish a more timely and less complicated specification 
process that is limited in the types of measures that can be 
implemented and is not bound by the procedural requirements of the 
amendment and framework processes; and
     Adjust the scallop fishing year to April 1 through March 
31.
    These proposed measures are further described below.

Proposed Measures

Establish a New Specification Process

    Establishing a separate process for implementing specifications in 
the Scallop FMP instead of a framework process would help ensure that 
such specifications go into place on or about the start of the scallop 
fishing year, in part because the Council would not be required to 
discuss measures over the course of two Council meetings, as is 
required under a framework. In addition, by limiting the specifications 
process to implementing only certain types of measures, other types of 
management measures that typically get added to specifications 
frameworks would not be included, thereby simplifying the development 
and rulemaking for specifications.
    The Scallop PDT would meet at least every two years to assess the 
status of the scallop resource and to develop and recommend 
specifications for up to 2 years, as well as second or third-year 
default measures, for the Atlantic Sea Scallop Oversight Committee and 
the Council to consider. The types of measures that could be 
implemented through the specifications process are limited to the 
following: Overfishing limit (OFL); overall annual biological catch 
(ABC)/annual catch limit (ACL); sub-ACLs; sub-annual catch targets 
(ACTs); DAS open area allocations; possession limits; modifications to 
rotational area management (e.g., schedule, rotational closures and 
openings, seasonal restrictions, modifications to boundaries, etc.); 
access area limited access poundage allocations and Limited Access 
General Category (LAGC) Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) fleet-wide trip 
allocations; annual incidental catch target total allowable catch 
(TAC); and Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) TAC.
    The Council would review these recommendations and, after 
considering public comments, recommend appropriate specifications for 1 
or 2 years, as well as second or third-year default measures, to NMFS. 
NMFS would approve, disapprove, or partially approve the specifications 
recommended by the Council and publish the approved specifications in 
the Federal Register.
    In addition, the PDT would update the Stock Assessment and Fishery 
Evaluation Report at least every 2 years that provides the information 
and analysis needed to evaluate potential management adjustments.
    The PDT would meet at least once during the interim years to review 
the status of the stock relative to the overfishing definition if 
information is available to do so. If the Council determines that the 
approved specifications should be adjusted during the 2-year time 
period, it can do so through the specifications process.
    The Council could set scallop allocations through a specifications 
action in conjunction with a framework to develop more robust 
management measures, but the more complicated an action is and the more 
management measures under consideration generally means the action will 
take longer to complete, be approved, and be effective.

Changing the Start of the Fishing Year to April 1

    Although developing a specifications action would save some time in 
the development of allocations, it would not guarantee allocations 
would be in place by March 1 of each year because of the timing of data 
becoming available that are necessary to set the specifications. It is 
more likely that allocations could be implemented on April 1, a month 
after

[[Page 54535]]

the current start of the fishing year. Therefore, the Council is also 
recommending that the fishing year be changed to April 1 through March 
31. Pushing the fishing year back 1 month would increase the likelihood 
that NMFS would be able to implement simple specifications actions at 
the start of the scallop fishing year on a more consistent basis and 
not need to implement default measures at all.
    To give the industry time to account for this change in its 
business planning, the Council recommends and NMFS proposes that this 
measure not be effective until fishing year 2018. Because the current 
fishing year began on March 1, 2016, fishing year 2016 would be 
unaffected by this change. Fishing year 2017 would need to be 13 months 
long, running from March 1, 2017, through March 31, 2018. The Council 
intends to prorate allocations appropriately for 2017 to account for 
this additional month. On April 1, 2018, the scallop fishing year would 
officially change for fishing year 2018 and beyond.
    Amendment 19 would also adjust the scallop permit year so that it 
continues to match the official fishing year (i.e., scallop permits 
would need to be renewed by April 1 of each year). This change would 
also be effective beginning in fishing year 2018.
    In addition, NMFS and Council staff discussed other, non-regulatory 
streamlining initiatives that will result in time-savings in 
implementing final allocations. These include preparing a decision 
draft of an EA immediately following the Council's final action on a 
framework and publishing a proposed rule prior to NMFS' formal review 
of the EA. These measures will assist in implementing simple, non-
controversial specifications actions on a quicker timeline than typical 
frameworks.
    The Council adopted Amendment 19 on December 3, 2015, and submitted 
it to NMFS on July 14, 2016, for review and approval. The Council has 
reviewed the Amendment 19 proposed rule regulations as drafted by NMFS 
and deemed them to be necessary and appropriate as specified in section 
303(c) of the MSA. A Notice of Availability (NOA) for Amendment 19 was 
published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2016 (81 FR 47152). The 
comment period on Amendment 19 NOA ends on September 19, 2016. Comments 
submitted on the NOA and/or this proposed rule prior to September 19, 
2016, will be considered in NMFS's decision to approve, partially 
approve, or disapprove Amendment 19. NMFS will consider comments 
received by the end of the comment period for this proposed rule 
September 15, 2016 in its decision regarding measures to be 
implemented. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), NMFS is required to publish 
proposed rules for comment after preliminarily determining whether they 
are consistent with applicable law. The Magnuson-Stevens Act permits 
NMFS to approve, partially approve, or disapprove measures proposed by 
the Council based only on whether the measures are consistent with the 
fishery management plan, plan amendment, the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
its National Standards, and other applicable law.

Regulatory Adjustments and Corrections Under Regional Administrator 
Authority

    NMFS removed the annual specifications from the regulatory text and 
reorganized the layout of the regulations to help streamline the 
approval of future specifications actions. As a result, this proposed 
rule includes revisions to the regulatory text that would reorganize 
and condense references to annual scallop allocations and possession 
limits. These adjustments do not make any substantive changes to the 
implications of the current regulations and would allow future 
specifications-setting actions to be implemented sooner by avoiding the 
need to make extensive regulatory changes for each specifications-
setting action. In addition to saving time during rulemaking, this 
adjustment also avoids the need to develop follow-up correcting 
amendments when NMFS inadvertently and incorrectly updates regulations. 
NMFS proposes these changes consistent with section 305(d) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, which provides that the Secretary of Commerce may 
promulgate regulations necessary to ensure that amendments to an FMP 
are carried out in accordance with the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens 
Act.
    To accommodate the specifications process and simplify the scallop 
regulations NMFS proposes the following changes to regulatory text: 
Revising the definitions in section 648.2 to remove the unnecessary 
distinction between Rotational Closed Areas and Scallop Access Areas; 
consolidating all of the allocations into a single table in section 
648.53; condensing the explanations of OFL, ABC, and ACL into section 
648.53 which creates a single section dedicated to all of the catch 
limits (the current regulations have this information repeated again at 
Sec.  648.55 which we removed); removing sections 648.57 and 648.58 and 
integrating them into sections 648.59 and 648.60 to describe the 
scallop access area program and remove the unnecessary distinction 
between Rotational Closed Areas and Scallop Access Areas; and moving 
access area program requirements currently in Sec.  648.60 to Sec.  
648.59 to provide a dedicated section to access area program 
requirements (Sec.  648.59) and a dedicated section to listing all of 
the scallop access areas (Sec.  648.60).
    Under this same section 305(d) authority, this action also proposes 
the following revisions to the regulatory text, unrelated to the 
addition of a specifications process, to address text that is 
unnecessary, outdated, unclear, or NMFS could otherwise improve: 
Revising Sec. Sec.  648.14(i)(2)(vi)(B) and 648.14(i)(3)(v)(E) to 
clarify in the prohibitions a requirement currently in Sec.  648.58(e) 
that vessels cannot transit the Closed Area II Rotational Area, the 
Closed Area II Extension Rotational Area, or the Elephant Trunk Closed 
Area unless there is a compelling safety reason for transiting the 
area; adding back in text, at Sec.  648.53(c), regarding limited access 
accountability measures that was unintentionally removed during 
Framework Adjustment 27 to the Scallop FMP (81 FR 26727, May 4, 2016); 
updating a reference in section Sec.  648.54 regarding the state waters 
exemption program that was unintentionally overlooked in Framework 
Adjustment 26 to the Scallop FMP (80 FR 22119, April 21, 2015); 
revising Sec.  648.56(f) to reflect a change that scallop research set-
aside (RSA) can be harvested to accommodate the proposed change in 
fishing year (changing from May 31 to June 30 of the fishing year 
subsequent to the fishing year in which the set-aside is awarded); 
revising Sec.  648.62(c) to clarify that NGOM vessels must declare 
either a Federal NGOM trip or a state-waters NGOM trip on their VMS 
units when declaring a scallop trip.
    Finally, due to the extensive regulatory changes in this action we 
are updating references throughout the scallop regulations that will 
change based on the proposed regulatory adjustments. We have included a 
summary of all of the proposed regulatory changes in this proposed rule 
in Table 1.

[[Page 54536]]



                       Table 1--Summary of Proposed Regulatory Changes to 50 CFR Part 648
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Section             Current title        Proposed title      Type of changes       Summary of changes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
648.2...................  Definitions........  Same...............  Amendment 19 &       Changes address the new
                                                                     Regulatory           scallop fishing year
                                                                     Streamlining.        and remove the
                                                                                          unnecessary
                                                                                          distinction between
                                                                                          Rotational Closed
                                                                                          Areas and Scallop
                                                                                          Access Areas.
648.10..................  VMS and DAS          Same...............  Regulatory           Changes update
                           requirements for                          Streamlining.        references that will
                           vessel owners/                                                 change based on
                           operators.                                                     proposed regulatory
                                                                                          adjustments to other
                                                                                          sections.
648.14..................  Prohibitions.......  Same...............  Regulatory           Changes update
                                                                     Streamlining &       references that will
                                                                     Corrections.         change based on
                                                                                          proposed regulatory
                                                                                          adjustments to other
                                                                                          sections.
                                                                                          Clarification that
                                                                                          vessels cannot transit
                                                                                          the Closed Area II
                                                                                          Rotational Area, the
                                                                                          Closed Area II
                                                                                          Extension Rotational
                                                                                          Area, or the Elephant
                                                                                          Trunk Closed Area.
648.51..................  Gear and crew        Same...............  Regulatory           Changes update
                           restrictions.                             Streamlining.        references that will
                                                                                          change based on
                                                                                          proposed regulatory
                                                                                          adjustments to other
                                                                                          sections.
648.52..................  Possession and       Same...............  Regulatory           Changes update
                           landing limits.                           Streamlining.        references that will
                                                                                          change based on
                                                                                          proposed regulatory
                                                                                          adjustments to other
                                                                                          sections.
648.53..................  Acceptable           Overfishing limit,   Amendment 19,        Changes address
                           biological catch,    acceptable           Regulatory           Amendment 19
                           annual catch         biological catch,    Streamlining, &      specifications
                           limits, annual       annual catch         Corrections.         process, condense
                           catch targets, DAS   limits, annual                            allocations into a
                           allocations, and     catch targets, DAS                        single table, and
                           individual fishing   allocations, and                          condense the
                           quotas.              individual fishing                        explanations of OFL,
                                                quotas.                                   ABC, and ACL into a
                                                                                          single section. The
                                                                                          current regulations
                                                                                          have this information
                                                                                          repeated again at Sec.
                                                                                            648.55. Also, we add
                                                                                          back in text, at Sec.
                                                                                           648.53(c), regarding
                                                                                          limited access
                                                                                          accountability
                                                                                          measures that was
                                                                                          unintentionally
                                                                                          removed during scallop
                                                                                          Framework Adjustment
                                                                                          27.
648.54..................  State waters         Same...............  Corrections........  The change to this
                           exemption.                                                     section updates an old
                                                                                          reference that should
                                                                                          have occurred during
                                                                                          scallop Framework
                                                                                          Adjustment 26
                                                                                          rulemaking but was
                                                                                          inadvertently
                                                                                          overlooked.
648.55..................  Framework            Specifications and   Amendment 19 &       Changes to this section
                           adjustments to       framework            Regulatory           address Amendment 19
                           management           adjustments to       Streamlining.        changes, but also fine-
                           measures.            management                                tune previous
                                                measures.                                 regulations and remove
                                                                                          repetitive regulations
                                                                                          that are now
                                                                                          consolidated into Sec.
                                                                                            648.53, specifically
                                                                                          the explanation of
                                                                                          OFL, ABC, and ACL.
648.56..................  Scallop research...  Same...............  Amendment 19 &       Changes update
                                                                     Regulatory           references that will
                                                                     Streamlining.        change based on other
                                                                                          proposed regulatory
                                                                                          adjustments and
                                                                                          support the Amendment
                                                                                          19 alternative to
                                                                                          change the fishing
                                                                                          year to April 1.
                                                                                          Changes would push
                                                                                          back the 90-day RSA
                                                                                          carryover timeframe by
                                                                                          a month (from May 31
                                                                                          to June 30) to
                                                                                          accommodate the change
                                                                                          in fishing year.
648.57..................  Sea scallop area     Reserved...........  Amendment 19 &       Changes remove
                           rotation program.                         Regulatory           unnecessary
                                                                     Streamlining.        distinction between
                                                                                          rotational closed
                                                                                          areas and scallop
                                                                                          access areas,
                                                                                          clarifying that
                                                                                          rotational areas can
                                                                                          be open or closed as
                                                                                          determined through the
                                                                                          specifications or
                                                                                          framework process.
                                                                                          Consolidates the
                                                                                          regulations formerly
                                                                                          in this section into
                                                                                          Sec.   648.59.
648.58..................  Rotational Closed    Reserved...........  Amendment 19 &       Changes remove
                           Areas.                                    Regulatory           unnecessary
                                                                     Streamlining.        distinction between
                                                                                          rotational closed
                                                                                          areas and scallop
                                                                                          access areas
                                                                                          clarifying that
                                                                                          rotational areas can
                                                                                          be open or closed, as
                                                                                          determined through the
                                                                                          specifications or
                                                                                          framework process.
                                                                                          Consolidating the
                                                                                          regulations formerly
                                                                                          in this section into
                                                                                          Sec.  Sec.   648.59
                                                                                          and 648.60.
648.59..................  Sea Scallop Access   Sea scallop          Amendment 19 &       There are no
                           Areas.               rotational area      Regulatory           substantial changes to
                                                management program   Streamlining.        current regulatory
                                                and access area                           text in this section;
                                                program                                   portions of this
                                                requirements.                             section are
                                                                                          reorganized to
                                                                                          incorporate
                                                                                          regulations formerly
                                                                                          in Sec.  Sec.   648.57
                                                                                          and 648.58. Also, the
                                                                                          access area program
                                                                                          requirements were
                                                                                          moved to this section
                                                                                          from Sec.   648.60 for
                                                                                          clarity.

[[Page 54537]]

 
648.60..................  Sea scallop access   Sea scallop          Amendment 19 &       There are no
                           area program         rotational areas.    Regulatory           substantial changes to
                           requirements.                             Streamlining.        current regulatory
                                                                                          text in this section;
                                                                                          portions of this
                                                                                          section are
                                                                                          reorganized to
                                                                                          incorporate
                                                                                          regulations formerly
                                                                                          in Sec.   648.58.
                                                                                          Also, the access area
                                                                                          program requirements
                                                                                          were moved from this
                                                                                          section to Sec.
                                                                                          648.59 for clarity.
648.62..................  Northern Gulf of     Same...............  Amendment 19,        Changes to this section
                           Maine (NGOM)                              Regulatory           support the
                           Management Program.                       Streamlining, &      specifications process
                                                                     Corrections.         and update references
                                                                                          that will change based
                                                                                          on other proposed
                                                                                          regulatory
                                                                                          adjustments. Also,
                                                                                          changes clarify that
                                                                                          NGOM vessels must
                                                                                          declare either a
                                                                                          Federal NGOM trip or a
                                                                                          state-waters NGOM
                                                                                          trip.
648.63..................  General category     Same...............  Regulatory           Changes update
                           Sectors and                               Streamlining.        references that will
                           harvesting                                                     change based on
                           cooperatives.                                                  proposed regulatory
                                                                                          adjustments to other
                                                                                          sections.
648.64..................  Yellowtail flounder  Same...............  Amendment 19.......  Changes to this section
                           sub-ACLs and AMs                                               are proposed to
                           for the scallop                                                support the Amendment
                           fishery.                                                       19 alternative to
                                                                                          change the fishing
                                                                                          year to April 1.
648.65..................  Windowpane flounder  Same...............  Amendment 19.......  Changes to this section
                           sub-ACL and AM for                                             are proposed to
                           the scallop                                                    support the Amendment
                           fishery.                                                       19 alternative to
                                                                                          change the fishing
                                                                                          year to April 1.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has made a preliminary determination that 
this proposed rule is consistent with the FMP, other provisions of the 
MSA, and other applicable law. In making the final determination, NMFS 
will consider the data, views, and comments received during the public 
comment period.
    This proposed rule does not contain policies with Federalism or 
``takings'' implications as those terms are defined in E.O. 13132 and 
E.O. 12630, respectively.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Chief Council for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Council for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    On December 29, 2015, NMFS issued a final rule establishing a small 
business size standard of $11 million in annual gross receipts for all 
businesses primarily engaged in the commercial fishing industry (NAICS 
11411) for Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) compliance purposes only 
(80 FR 81194, December 29, 2015). The $11 million standard became 
effective on July 1, 2016, and is to be used in place of the U.S. Small 
Business Administration's (SBA) current standards of $20.5 million, 
$5.5 million, and $7.5 million for the finfish (NAICS 114111), 
shellfish (NAICS 114112), and other marine fishing (NAICS 114119) 
sectors of the U.S. commercial fishing industry in all NMFS rules 
subject to the RFA after July 1, 2016. Id at 81194.
    The Council conducted an evaluation of the potential impacts of the 
proposed measures in conjunction with this EA. There were 313 vessels 
that obtained full-time limited access permits in 2015, including 250 
dredge, 52 small-dredge, and 11 scallop trawl permits. In the same 
year, there were also 34 part-time limited access permits in the sea 
scallop fishery. No vessels were issued occasional scallop permits. 
NMFS issued 220 limited access general category (LAGC) IFQ permits in 
2014 and 128 of these vessels actively fished for scallops that year 
(the remaining permits likely leased out scallop IFQ allocations with 
their permits in Confirmation of Permit History).
    Individually-permitted vessels may hold permits for several 
fisheries, harvesting species of fish that are regulated by several 
different fishery management plans, even beyond those affected by the 
proposed action. Furthermore, multiple permitted vessels and/or permits 
may be owned by entities with various personal and business 
affiliations. For the purposes of this analysis, ``ownership entities'' 
are defined as those entities with common ownership as listed on the 
permit application. Only permits with identical ownership are 
categorized as an ``ownership entity.'' For example, if five permits 
have the same seven persons listed as co-owners on their permit 
applications, those seven persons would form one ``ownership entity'' 
that holds those five permits. If two of those seven owners also co-own 
additional vessels, that ownership arrangement would be considered a 
separate ``ownership entity'' for the purpose of this analysis.
    On June 1 of each year, ownership entities are identified based on 
a list of all permits for the most recent complete calendar year. The 
current ownership dataset is based on the calendar year 2014 permits 
and contains average gross sales associated with those permits for 
calendar years 2012 through 2014. When adjusted for calendar year, 
there were 166 distinct ownership entities for the limited access fleet 
and 106 distinct ownership entities for the LAGC IFQ fleet in 2014. All 
of the entities directly regulated by this regulatory action are 
shellfish commercial fishing businesses. Under the NMFS size standards, 
159 of the limited access distinct ownership entities and 104 of the 
LAGC IFQ entities were categorized as small. The remaining 7 of the 
limited access and 2 of the LAGC IFQ entities were categorized as large 
entities.
    Amendment 19 proposes to establish a specification process so that 
allocations would not be tied only to actions that tend to have longer 
development and implementation timelines (i.e., frameworks or 
amendments) and change the start of the fishing year from March 1 to 
April 1. Developing a specifications process would eliminate the need 
for a framework adjustment to set annual allocations for the scallop 
fishery. This will reduce the delays in implementation and make it 
possible to integrate the updated survey data into allocation 
estimates. Similarly, changing the start of the fishing year from March 
1 to April l would reduce the time lag

[[Page 54538]]

between the fishing year and the time when the survey data become 
available. This would improve accuracy of catch limits for the access 
areas, and align the implementation time better with the fishing year, 
thus reducing the uncertainties for the small businesses in the scallop 
fishery in making their business plans for the fishing year.
    Adjusting the fishing year back 1 month will, however, require a 
change in the business plans of the scallop fishermen. Currently, the 
fishing year begins on March 1, at a time when meat-weight of scallops 
begins to increase and a higher yield per unit effort could be obtained 
from scallop fishing. If the landings are postponed to the following 
March (i.e., the last month of the fishing year, under this 
alternative) because of the change in the start of the fishing year to 
April 1, and if the resource and market conditions turn out to be less 
favorable than they were expected a year ago--for example, because of a 
decline scallop prices or a decline catch per-unit effort-- the scallop 
fishermen will incur a loss from not using them in earlier months. This 
loss is not expected to be high, however, taking into consideration 
that some of the effort normally occurred in March could be shifted to 
other months when meat weights are even higher.
    For example, starting the fishing year in April could lead to 
increased effort in this month if fishermen would want to postpone a 
smaller proportion of their allocations to the following March due to 
uncertainties. However, an increase in scallop landings in April 
(compared to the earlier years when the start of the fishing year was 
in March) could also have some beneficial impacts compared to No Action 
because meat weights are larger in April compared to March. Although 
the average price of scallops could decline somewhat with increased 
landings in April, the higher prices associated with larger size 
scallops are expected to outweigh negative impacts on average prices 
and revenues.
    In addition, present regulations allow a vessel to carry over 10 
days-at-sea to the next fishing year, and this provision could be used 
if it turns out that the market conditions are not optimal or if there 
are vessel breakdowns in the following year in March. Other factors, 
such as constraints on labor due to some crew members working on 
multiple boats with the reduced landings, especially in the last couple 
of years, also help spread the effort throughout the fishing year.
    In summary, starting the fishing year a month later will require 
some change in business planning and will create some risks due to 
reduced predictability of the resource and market conditions in March, 
a month when yields start improving. Negative impacts associated with 
this change are expected to be minimal and also are expected to decline 
over time as the vessel-owners gain experience with the new fishing 
year and learn to adjust their business plans more efficiently to the 
new conditions. The proposed measures are expected to result in 
positive economic impacts on regulated entities by improving scallop 
yield over the long-term, increase revenues, and reduce the business 
costs associated with constantly changing regulations outweighing any 
negative impacts associated with the change in fishing year.
    Because this rulemaking will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities, an initial regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required and none has been prepared.
    There are no new reporting or recordkeeping requirements contained 
in any of the alternatives considered for this action.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: August 10, 2016.
Paul Doremus,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Operations, 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

0
1. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

0
2. Amend Sec.  648.2 by:
0
a. Revising the definitions of ``Fishing year'', ``Open areas'', and 
``Permit year'';
0
b. Removing the definitions for ````Rotational Closed Area'' and ``Sea 
Scallop Access Area''; and
0
c. Adding definitions for ``Sea Scallop Access Area, Scallop Access 
Area, or Access Area'' and ``Sea Scallop Rotational Area, Scallop 
Rotational Area, or Rotational Area'' in alphabetical order.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  648.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Fishing year means:
    (1) For the Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery, from March 1 
through the last day of February of the following year.
    (2) Beginning in 2018, for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, from 
April 1 through March 31 of the following year (for 2017, the Atlantic 
sea scallop fishing year will be from March 1, 2017, through March 31, 
2018).
    (3) For the NE multispecies, monkfish and skate fisheries, from May 
1 through April 30 of the following year.
    (4) For the tilefish fishery, from November 1 through October 31 of 
the following year.
    (5) For all other fisheries in this part, from January 1 through 
December 31.
* * * * *
    Open areas, with respect to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, means 
any area that is not subject to restrictions of the Sea Scallop 
Rotational Areas specified in Sec. Sec.  648.59 and 648.60, EFH Closed 
Areas specified in Sec.  648.61, or the Northern Gulf of Maine 
Management Area specified in Sec.  648.62.
* * * * *
    Permit year means:
    (1) For the Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery, from March 1 
through the last day of February of the following year;
    (2) Beginning in 2018, for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, from 
April 1 through the last day of March of the following year (for 2017, 
the Atlantic sea scallop permit year will be from March 1, 2017, 
through March 31, 2018);
    (3) For all other fisheries in this part, from May 1 through April 
30 of the following year.
* * * * *
    Sea Scallop Access Area, Scallop Access Area, or Access Area, with 
respect to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, means an area that has 
been designated under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan 
as a sea scallop rotational area that is open to the scallop fishery in 
a given fishing year.
* * * * *
    Sea Scallop Rotational Area, Scallop Rotational Area, or Rotational 
Area, with respect to the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, means an area 
that has been designated under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery 
Management Plan as part of the Sea Scallop Rotational Management 
Program. A rotational area may be closed or open to the scallop fishery 
in a given fishing year. A rotational area open to the scallop fishery 
is termed a Sea Scallop Access Area and has area-specific management 
measures that are designed to control fishing effort and mortality on 
only the portion of the scallop resource within the area. Such measures 
are not applicable in Open Areas defined above.
* * * * *

[[Page 54539]]

0
3. In Sec.  648.10, paragraph (b)(2), the first sentence to the 
introductory text of paragraph (f)(4)(i), the introductory text to 
paragraph (h), and paragraph (h)(8)(ii) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.10  VMS and DAS requirements for vessel owners/operators.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) A scallop vessel issued an Occasional limited access permit 
when fishing under the Sea Scallop Area Access Program specified under 
Sec.  648.59;
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) The owner or operator of a limited access or LAGC IFQ vessel 
that fishes for, possesses, or retains scallops, and is not fishing 
under a NE Multispecies DAS or sector allocation, must submit reports 
through the VMS, in accordance with instructions to be provided by the 
Regional Administrator, for each day fished, including open area trips, 
access area trips as described in Sec.  648.59(b)(9), and trips 
accompanied by a NMFS-approved observer. * * *
* * * * *
    (h) Call-in notification. The owner of a vessel issued a limited 
access monkfish permit who is participating in a DAS program and who is 
not required to provide notification using a VMS, and a scallop vessel 
qualifying for a DAS allocation under the occasional category that has 
not elected to fish under the VMS notification requirements of 
paragraph (e) of this section and is not participating in the Sea 
Scallop Area Access program as specified in Sec.  648.59, and any 
vessel that may be required by the Regional Administrator to use the 
call-in program under paragraph (i) of this section, are subject to the 
following requirements:
* * * * *
    (8) * * *
    (ii) A vessel issued a limited access scallop and LAGC IFQ scallop 
permit that possesses or lands more than 600 lb (272.2 kg) of scallops, 
unless otherwise specified in Sec.  648.59(d)(2);
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  648.14 by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs (i)(1)(vi), (i)(2)(ii)(B)(7), (i)(2)(iii)(B), 
(i)(2)(iii)(C), (i)(2)(iv)(B), the introductory text to (i)(2)(vi), and 
paragraph (i)(2)(vi)(A);
0
b. Add paragraph (i)(2)(vi)(B); and
0
c. Revise paragraphs (i)(2)(vi)(D), (i)(3)(iv)(A), (i)(3)(v), and 
(i)(4)(i)(A).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (vi) Closed area requirements--(A) EFH Closed Areas. (1) Fish for 
scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the EFH Closed Areas 
specified in Sec.  648.61.
    (2) Transit or enter the EFH Closure Areas specified in Sec.  
648.61, except as provided by Sec.  648.61(b).
    (B) Scallop Rotational Areas. (1) Fish for scallops in, or possess 
or land scallops from, the Scallop Rotational Areas closed to the 
scallop fishery through the specifications or framework adjustment 
processes specified in Sec.  648.55.
    (2) Transit or enter the Scallop Rotational Areas, except as 
provided by Sec.  648.59(a) or (b).
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) * * *
    (7) Fish in a Sea Scallop Access Area, as described in Sec.  
648.60, with more persons on board the vessel than the number specified 
in Sec.  648.51(c) or Sec.  648.51(e)(3)(i), unless otherwise 
authorized by the Regional Administrator.
* * * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (B) Fish for, possess, or land more than 50 bu (17.62 hL) of in-
shell scallops once inside the VMS Demarcation Line on or by a vessel 
that, at any time during the trip, fished in or transited any area 
south of 42[deg]20' N. lat; or fished in any Sea Scallop Area Access 
Program specified in Sec.  648.59, except as provided in the state 
waters exemption, as specified in Sec.  648.54.
    (C) Fish for, possess, or land per trip, at any time, scallops in 
excess of any sea scallop possession and landing limit set by the 
Regional Administrator in accordance with Sec.  648.59(b)(3) when 
properly declared into the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as described 
in Sec.  648.59.
* * * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (B) Combine, transfer, or consolidate DAS allocations, except as 
allowed for one-for-one Access Area trip exchanges as specified in 
Sec.  648.59(b)(3)(ii).
* * * * *
    (vi) Scallop rotational area management program and scallop access 
area program requirements. (A) Fail to comply with any of the 
provisions and specifications of Sec.  648.59.
    (B) Transit the Closed Area II Rotational Area or the Closed Area 
II Extension Rotational Area, as defined Sec.  648.60(d) and (e), 
respectively, or the Elephant Trunk Closed Area, as defined in Sec.  
648.60(b), unless there is a compelling safety reason for transiting 
the area and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2.
* * * * *
    (D) Possess more than 50 bu (17.6 hL) of in-shell scallops outside 
the boundaries of a Sea Scallop Access Area by a vessel that is 
declared into the Area Access Program as specified in Sec.  648.59.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (A) Fail to comply with any of the VMS requirements specified in 
Sec. Sec.  648.10, 648.59, or 648.62.
* * * * *
    (v) Scallop rotational area management program and scallop access 
area program requirements. (A) Fail to comply with any of the 
requirements specified in Sec.  648.59.
    (B) Declare into or leave port for an area specified in Sec.  
648.60 after the effective date of a notification published in the 
Federal Register stating that the number of LAGC trips have been taken, 
as specified in Sec.  648.59.
    (C) Fish for or land per trip, or possess in excess of 40 lb (18.1 
kg) of shucked scallops at any time in or from any Sea Scallop Access 
Area specified at Sec.  648.60, unless declared into the Sea Scallop 
Access Area Program.
    (D) Fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from any Sea Scallop 
Access Area without an observer on board, unless the vessel owner, 
operator, or manager has received a waiver to carry an observer for the 
specified trip and area fished.
    (E) Transit the Closed Area II Rotational Area or the Closed Area 
II Extension Rotational Area, as defined Sec.  648.60(d) and (e), 
respectively, or the Elephant Trunk Closed Area, as defined in Sec.  
648.60(b), unless there is a compelling safety reason for transiting 
the area and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2.
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) Fish for or land per trip, or possess at any time, in excess of 
600 lb (272.2 kg) of shucked, or 75 bu (26.4 hL) of in-shell scallops 
per trip, or 100 bu (35.2 hL) in-shell scallops seaward of the VMS 
Demarcation Line, unless the vessel is carrying an observer as 
specified in Sec.  648.11 and an increase in the possession limit is 
authorized by the Regional Administrator and not exceeded by the 
vessel, as specified in Sec. Sec.  648.52(g) and 648.59(d).
* * * * *

[[Page 54540]]

0
5. In Sec.  648.51, paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(3)(i), the introductory text 
to paragraph (c), and paragraph (f)(1) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.51  Gear and crew restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) Maximum dredge width. The combined dredge width in use by or in 
possession on board such vessels shall not exceed 31 ft (9.4 m), 
measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge, except as 
provided under paragraph (e) of this section, in Sec.  648.59(g)(2), 
and the scallop dredge exemption areas specified in Sec.  648.80. 
However, component parts may be on board the vessel such that they do 
not conform with the definition of ``dredge or dredge gear'' in Sec.  
648.2, i.e., the metal ring bag and the mouth frame, or bail, of the 
dredge are not attached, and such that no more than one complete spare 
dredge could be made from these component's parts.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) Unless otherwise required under the Sea Scallop Area Access 
program specified in Sec.  648.59(b)(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).
* * * * *
    (c) Crew restrictions. A limited access vessel participating in or 
subject to the scallop DAS allocation program may have no more than 
seven people aboard, including the operator, and a limited access 
vessel participating in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as 
specified in Sec.  648.59 may have no more than eight people aboard, 
including the operator, when not docked or moored in port, except as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (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 a trawl net, 
unless such vessel has been issued a limited access trawl vessel permit 
that endorses the vessel to fish for scallops with a trawl net. A 
limited access scallop vessel issued a trawl vessel permit that 
endorses the vessel to fish for scallops with a trawl net and general 
category scallop vessels enrolled in the Area Access Program as 
specified in Sec.  648.59, may not fish for scallops with a trawl net 
in the Closed Area 1, Closed Area II, Closed Area II Extension, and 
Nantucket Lightship Rotational Areas specified in Sec.  648.60.
* * * * *
0
6. In Sec.  648.52, paragraphs (d), (f), and (g) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.52  Possession and landing limits.

* * * * *
    (d) Owners or operators of vessels with a limited access scallop 
permit that have properly declared into the Sea Scallop Area Access 
Program as described in Sec.  648.59 are prohibited from fishing for or 
landing per trip, or possessing at any time, scallops in excess of any 
sea scallop possession and landing limit set by the Regional 
Administrator in accordance with Sec.  648.59(b)(5).
* * * * *
    (f) A limited access vessel or an LAGC vessel that is declared into 
the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as described in Sec.  648.59, may 
not possess more than 50 bu (17.6 hL) or 75 bu (26.4 hL), respectively, 
of in-shell scallops outside of the Access Areas described in Sec.  
648.60.
    (g) Possession limit to defray the cost of observers for LAGC IFQ 
vessels. An LAGC IFQ vessel with an observer on board may retain, per 
observed trip, up to 1 day's allowance of the possession limit 
allocated to limited access vessels, as established by the Regional 
Administrator in accordance with Sec.  648.59(d), provided the observer 
set-aside specified in Sec.  648.59(d)(1) has not been fully utilized. 
For example, if the limited access vessel daily possession limit to 
defray the cost of an observer is 180 lb (82 kg), the LAGC IFQ 
possession limit to defray the cost of an observer would be 180 lb (82 
kg) per trip, regardless of trip length.
0
7. In Sec.  648.53, the section heading and paragraphs (a), (b), (c), 
(d), (e), (g)(1), the introductory text to (h)(2), paragraphs 
(h)(2)(i), (h)(2)(v)(B), (h)(3)(i), (h)(3)(ii)(A), (h)(5)(i), and 
(h)(5)(ii)(A) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.53  Overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch 
(ABC), annual catch limits (ACL), annual catch targets (ACT), DAS 
allocations, and individual fishing quotas (IFQ).

    (a) The following determinations and allocations for the sea 
scallop rotational areas are defined as follows and shall be 
established through the specifications or framework adjustment process:
    (1) OFL. OFL shall be based on an updated scallop resource and 
fishery assessment provided by either the Scallop PDT or a formal stock 
assessment. OFL shall include all sources of scallop mortality and 
shall include an upward adjustment to account for catch of scallops in 
state waters by vessels not issued Federal scallop permits. The fishing 
mortality rate (F) associated with OFL shall be the threshold F, above 
which overfishing is occurring in the scallop fishery. The F associated 
with OFL shall be used to derive specifications for ABC, ACL, and ACT, 
as defined in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (2) The specification of ABC, ACL, and ACT shall be based upon the 
following overfishing definition: The F shall be set so that in access 
areas, averaged for all years combined over the period of time that the 
area is closed and open to scallop fishing as an access area, it does 
not exceed the established F threshold for the scallop fishery; in open 
areas it shall not exceed the F threshold for the scallop fishery; and 
for access and open areas combined, it is set at a level that has a 75-
percent probability of remaining below the F associated with ABC, as 
defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, taking into account all 
sources of fishing mortality in the limited access and LAGC fleets of 
the scallop fishery.
    (3) Overall ABC/ACL. The overall ABC for sea scallop fishery shall 
be the catch level that has an associated F that has a 75-percent 
probability of remaining below the F associated with OFL. The overall 
ACL shall be equal to the ABC for the scallop fishery, minus discards 
(an estimate of both incidental and discard mortality). The ABC/ACL, 
after the discards and deductions specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section are removed, shall be divided as sub-ACLs between limited 
access vessels, limited access vessels that are fishing under a LAGC 
permit, and LAGC vessels as defined in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of 
this section, after the deductions outlined in paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section.
    (4) Deductions from ABC/ACL. Incidental catch, as defined in 
paragraph (a)(7) of this section, shall be removed from ABC/ACL. One 
percent of ABC/ACL shall be removed from ABC/ACL for observer set-
aside. Scallop catch equal to the value specified in Sec.  648.56(d) 
shall be removed from ABC/ACL for research set-aside. These deductions 
for incidental catch, observer set-aside, and research set-aside, shall 
be made prior to establishing sub-ACLs for the limited access and LAGC 
fleets, as specified in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section.
    (5) Limited access fleet sub-ACL and sub-ACT--(i) Limited access 
fleet sub-ACL. After applying the deductions as specified in paragraph 
(a)(4) of this section, the limited access scallop fleet shall be 
allocated a sub-ACL equal to 94.5 percent of the ABC/ACL.
    (ii) Limited access fleet sub-ACT. The ACT for the limited access 
fishery shall

[[Page 54541]]

be set at a level that has an associated F with a 75-percent 
probability of remaining below the F associated with ABC/ACL.
    (6) LAGC IFQ fleet sub-ACL and sub-ACT--(i) LAGC IFQ fleet sub-ACL. 
After applying the deductions as specified in paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section, the LAGC IFQ fleet shall be allocated a sub-ACL equal to 5.5 
percent of the ABC/ACL, so that 5 percent of ABC/ACL is allocated to 
the LAGC fleet of vessels that do not also have a limited access 
scallop permit, and 0.5 percent of the ABC/ACL is allocated to the LAGC 
fleet of vessels that have limited access scallop permits. This 
specification of sub-ACLs shall not account for catch reductions 
associated with the application of AMs or adjustment of the sub-ACL as 
a result of the limited access AM exception as specified in paragraph 
(c)(1) of this section.
    (ii) LAGC IFQ fleet sub-ACT. The LAGC IFQ fishery sub-ACT shall be 
equal to the LAGC IFQ fishery's sub-ACL. The sub-ACT for the LAGC IFQ 
fishery for vessels issued only a LAGC IFQ scallop permit shall be 
equal to 5 percent of the ABC/ACL specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section, after applying the deductions as specified in paragraph (a)(4) 
of this section. The sub-ACT for the LAGC IFQ fishery for vessels 
issued both a LAGC IFQ scallop permit and a limited access scallop 
permit shall be 0.5 percent of the ACL specified in paragraph (a)(3) of 
this section, after applying the deductions as specified in paragraph 
(a)(4) of this section.
    (7) Scallop incidental catch target TAC. The annual incidental 
catch target TAC is the catch available for harvest for vessels with 
incidental catch scallop permits. This incidental catch target will be 
removed from the ABC/ACL defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section 
prior to establishing the limited access and LAGC IFQ sub-ACLs and sub-
ACTs defined in paragraphs (a)(5) and (6) of this section.
    (8) The following catch limits will be effective for the 2016 and 
2017 fishing years:

                      Scallop Fishery Catch Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          2016     2017
                     Catch limits                         (mt)    (mt) *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overfishing Limit.....................................   68,418   68,418
Acceptable Biological Catch/ACL (discards removed)....   37,852   37,852
Incidental Catch......................................       23       23
Research Set-Aside (RSA)..............................      567      567
Observer Set-Aside....................................      379      379
ACL for fishery.......................................   36,884   36,884
Limited Access ACL....................................   34,855   34,855
LAGC ACL..............................................    2,029    2,029
LAGC IFQ..............................................    1,845    1,845
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ..........................      184      184
Limited Access ACT....................................   18,290   18,290
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The catch limits for the 2017 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment.

    (b) DAS specifications and allocations. DAS specifications and 
allocations for limited access scallop trips in open areas are defined 
as follows and shall be specified through the specifications or 
framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  648.55, as follows:
    (1) DAS allocations. DAS allocations shall be determined by 
distributing the portion of the limited access ACT defined in paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section, as reduced by access area allocations defined 
in Sec.  648.59, and dividing that amount among vessels in the form of 
DAS calculated by applying estimates of open area landings per unit 
effort (LPUE) projected through the specifications or framework 
adjustment processes used to set annual allocations.
    (2) Assignment to DAS categories--(i) Limited access vessels shall 
be categorized as full-time, part-time, or occasional. Allocations for 
part-time and occasional scallop vessels shall be 40 percent and 8.33 
percent of the full-time DAS allocations, respectively.
    (ii) Subject to the vessel permit application requirements 
specified in Sec.  648.4, for each fishing year, each vessel issued a 
limited access scallop permit shall be assigned to the DAS category 
(full-time, part-time, or occasional) it was assigned to in the 
preceding year, except as provided under the small dredge program 
specified in Sec.  648.51(e).
    (3) The DAS allocations for limited access scallop vessels for 
fishing years 2016 and 2017 are as follows:

                    Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Permit category                       2016    2017 *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time.............................................    34.55    34.55
Part-Time.............................................    13.82    13.82
Occasional............................................     2.88     2.88
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The DAS allocations for the 2017 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment.

    (c) Accountability measures (AM) for limited access vessels. Unless 
the limited access AM exception is implemented in accordance with the 
provision specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, if the limited 
access sub-ACL defined in paragraph (a)(5) of this section is exceeded 
for the applicable fishing year, the DAS for each limited access vessel 
shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of landings in excess 
of the sub-ACL divided by the applicable LPUE for the fishing year in 
which the AM will apply as projected by the specifications or framework 
adjustment process specified in Sec.  648.55, then divided by the 
number of scallop vessels eligible to be issued a full-time limited 
access scallop permit. For example, assuming a 300,000-lb (136-mt) 
overage of the limited access fishery's sub-ACL in 2011, an open area 
LPUE of 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) per DAS in 2012, and 313 full-time vessels, 
each full-time vessel's DAS for 2012 would be reduced by 0.38 DAS 
(300,000 lb (136 mt)/2,500 lb (1.13 mt) per DAS = 120 lb (0.05 mt) per 
DAS/313 vessels = 0.38 DAS per vessel). Deductions in DAS for part-time 
and occasional scallop vessels shall be 40 percent and 8.33 percent of 
the full-time DAS deduction, respectively, as calculated pursuant to 
paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The AM shall take effect in the 
fishing year following the fishing year in which the overage occurred. 
For example, landings in excess of the limited access fishery's sub-ACL 
in fishing year 2011 would result in the DAS reduction AM in fishing 
year 2012. If the AM takes effect, and a limited access vessel uses 
more open area DAS in the fishing year in which the AM is applied, the 
vessel shall have the DAS used in excess of the allocation after 
applying the AM deducted from its open area DAS allocation in the 
subsequent fishing year. For example, a vessel initially allocated 32 
DAS in 2011 uses all 32 DAS prior to application of the AM. If, after 
application of the AM, the vessel's DAS allocation is reduced to 31 
DAS, the vessel's DAS in 2012 would be reduced by 1 DAS.
    (1) Limited access AM exception. If NMFS determines that the 
fishing mortality rate associated with the limited access fleet's 
landings in a fishing year is less than 0.34, the AM specified in 
paragraph (c) of this section shall not take effect. The fishing 
mortality rate of 0.34 is the fishing mortality rate that is one 
standard deviation below the fishing mortality rate for the scallop 
fishery ACL, currently estimated at 0.38.
    (2) Limited access fleet AM and exception provision timing. The 
Regional Administrator shall determine whether the limited access fleet

[[Page 54542]]

exceeded its sub-ACL defined in paragraph (a)(5) of this section by 
July of the fishing year following the year for which landings are 
being evaluated. On or about July 1, the Regional Administrator shall 
notify the New England Fishery Management Council of the determination 
of whether or not the sub-ACL for the limited access fleet was 
exceeded, and the amount of landings in excess of the sub-ACL. Upon 
this notification, the Scallop Plan Development Team (PDT) shall 
evaluate the overage and determine if the fishing mortality rate 
associated with total landings by the limited access scallop fleet is 
less than 0.34. On or about September 1 of each year, the Scallop PDT 
shall notify the Council of its determination, and the Council, on or 
about September 30, shall make a recommendation, based on the Scallop 
PDT findings, concerning whether to invoke the limited access AM 
exception. If NMFS concurs with the Scallop PDT's recommendation to 
invoke the limited access AM exception, in accordance with the APA, the 
limited access AM shall not be implemented. If NMFS does not concur, in 
accordance with the APA, the limited access AM shall be implemented as 
soon as possible after September 30 each year.
    (d) End-of-year carry-over for open area DAS. With the exception of 
vessels that held a Confirmation of Permit History as described in 
Sec.  648.4(a)(2)(i)(J) for the entire fishing year preceding the 
carry-over year, limited access vessels that have unused open area DAS 
on the last day of February of any year may carry over a maximum of 10 
DAS, not to exceed the total open area DAS allocation by permit 
category, into the next year. DAS carried over into the next fishing 
year may only be used in open areas. Carry-over DAS are accounted for 
in setting the sub-ACT for the limited access fleet, as defined in 
paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section. Therefore, if carry-over DAS 
result or contribute to an overage of the ACL, the limited access fleet 
AM specified in paragraph (c) of this section would still apply, 
provided the AM exception specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this section 
is not invoked.
    (e) Accrual of DAS. All DAS fished shall be charged to the nearest 
minute. A vessel carrying an observer and authorized to be charged 
fewer DAS in Open Areas based on the total available DAS set aside 
under paragraph (g) of this section shall be charged at a reduced rate 
as specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) To help defray the cost of carrying an observer, 1 percent of 
the ABC/ACL defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall be set 
aside to be used by vessels that are assigned to take an at-sea 
observer on a trip. This observer set-aside is specified through the 
specifications or framework adjustment process defined in Sec.  648.55.
* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (2) Calculation of IFQ. The ACL allocated to IFQ scallop vessels, 
and the ACL allocated to limited access scallop vessels issued IFQ 
scallop permits, as defined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, shall 
be used to determine the IFQ of each vessel issued an IFQ scallop 
permit. Each fishing year, the Regional Administrator shall provide the 
owner of a vessel issued an IFQ scallop permit issued pursuant to Sec.  
648.4(a)(2)(ii) with the scallop IFQ for the vessel for the upcoming 
fishing year.
    (i) Individual fishing quota. The IFQ for an IFQ scallop vessel 
shall be the vessel's contribution percentage as specified in paragraph 
(h)(2)(iii) of this section and determined using the steps specified in 
paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this section, multiplied by the ACL allocated 
to the IFQ scallop fishery, or limited access vessels issued an IFQ 
scallop permit, as defined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
* * * * *
    (v) * * *
    (B) For accounting purposes, the combined total of all vessels' IFQ 
carry-over shall be added to the LAGC IFQ fleet's applicable sub-ACL 
for the carry-over year. Any IFQ carried over that is landed in the 
carry-over fishing year shall be counted against the sub-ACL defined in 
paragraph (a)(6) of this section, as increased by the total carry-over 
for all LAGC IFQ vessels, as specified in this paragraph (h)(2)(v)(B). 
IFQ carry-over shall not be applicable to the calculation of the IFQ 
cap specified in paragraph (h)(3)(i) of this section and the ownership 
cap specified in paragraph (h)(3)(ii) of this section.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) IFQ scallop vessel IFQ cap. (A) Unless otherwise specified in 
paragraphs (h)(3)(i)(B) and (C) of this section, a vessel issued an IFQ 
scallop permit or confirmation of permit history shall not be issued 
more than 2.5 percent of the sub-ACL allocated to the IFQ scallop 
vessels as described in paragraph (a)(6) of this section.
    (B) A vessel may be initially issued more than 2.5 percent of the 
sub-ACL allocated to the IFQ scallop vessels as described in paragraph 
(a)(6) of this section, if the initial determination of its 
contribution factor specified in accordance with Sec.  
648.4(a)(2)(ii)(E) and paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this section, results in 
an IFQ that exceeds 2.5 percent of the sub-ACL allocated to the IFQ 
scallop vessels as described in paragraph (a)(6) of this section. A 
vessel that is allocated an IFQ that exceeds 2.5 percent of the sub-ACL 
allocated to the IFQ scallop vessels as described in paragraph (a)(6) 
of this section, in accordance with this paragraph (h)(3)(i)(B), may 
not receive IFQ through an IFQ transfer, as specified in paragraph 
(h)(5) of this section. All scallops that have been allocated as part 
of the original IFQ allocation or transferred to a vessel during a 
given fishing year shall be counted towards the vessel cap.
    (C) A vessel initially issued a 2008 IFQ scallop permit or 
confirmation of permit history, or that was issued or renewed a limited 
access scallop permit or confirmation of permit history for a vessel in 
2009 and thereafter, in compliance with the ownership restrictions in 
paragraph (h)(3)(i)(A) of this section, is eligible to renew such 
permit(s) and/or confirmation(s) of permit history, regardless of 
whether the renewal of the permit or confirmations of permit history 
will result in the 2.5-percent IFQ cap restriction being exceeded.
    (ii) * * *
    (A) For any vessel acquired after June 1, 2008, a vessel owner is 
not eligible to be issued an IFQ scallop permit for the vessel, and/or 
a confirmation of permit history, and is not eligible to transfer IFQ 
to the vessel, if, as a result of the issuance of the permit and/or 
confirmation of permit history, or IFQ transfer, the vessel owner, or 
any other person who is a shareholder or partner of the vessel owner, 
will have an ownership interest in more than 5 percent of the sub-ACL 
allocated to the IFQ scallop vessels as described in paragraph (a)(6) 
of this section.
* * * * *
    (5) * * *
    (i) Temporary IFQ transfers. Subject to the restrictions in 
paragraph (h)(5)(iii) of this section, the owner of an IFQ scallop 
vessel (and/or IFQ scallop permit in confirmation of permit history) 
not issued a limited access scallop permit may temporarily transfer 
(e.g., lease) its entire IFQ allocation, or a portion of its IFQ 
allocation, to another IFQ scallop vessel. Temporary IFQ transfers 
shall be effective only for the fishing year in which the temporary 
transfer is requested and processed. IFQ, once temporarily transferred, 
cannot be

[[Page 54543]]

temporarily transferred again to another vessel. IFQ can be temporarily 
transferred more than once (i.e., re-transferred). For example, if a 
vessel temporarily transfers IFQ to a vessel, the transferee vessel may 
re-transfer any portion of that IFQ to another vessel. There is no 
limit on how many times IFQ can be re-transferred in a fishing year. 
The Regional Administrator has final approval authority for all 
temporary IFQ transfer requests.
    (ii) * * *
    (A) Subject to the restrictions in paragraph (h)(5)(iii) of this 
section, the owner of an IFQ scallop vessel (and/or IFQ scallop permit 
in confirmation of permit history) not issued a limited access scallop 
permit may transfer IFQ permanently to or from another IFQ scallop 
vessel. Any such transfer cannot be limited in duration and is 
permanent as to the transferee, unless the IFQ is subsequently 
permanently transferred to another IFQ scallop vessel. IFQ may be 
permanently transferred to a vessel and then be re-transferred 
(temporarily transferred (i.e., leased) or permanently transferred) by 
such vessel to another vessel in the same fishing year. There is no 
limit on how many times IFQ can be re-transferred in a fishing year.
* * * * *
0
8. In Sec.  648.54, paragraph (e) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.54  State waters exemption.

* * * * *
    (e) Notification requirements. Vessels fishing under the exemptions 
specified in paragraph (b), (c), and/or (d) of this section must notify 
the Regional Administrator in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  
648.10(f).
* * * * *
0
9. Amend Sec.  648.55 by:
0
a. Revising the section heading and paragraph (a);
0
b. Removing and reserving paragraph (b);
0
c. Revising paragraph (c);
0
d. Removing and reserving paragraph (e);
0
e. Revising the introductory text to paragraph (f) and paragraph 
(f)(38).
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  648.55  Specifications and framework adjustments to management 
measures.

    (a) Specifications. (1) The Scallop Plan Development Team (PDT) 
shall meet at least every two years to assess the status of the scallop 
resource and to develop and recommend the following specifications for 
a period of up to 2 years, as well as second or third-year default 
measures, for consideration by the New England Fishery Management 
Council's Atlantic Sea Scallop Oversight Committee and Advisory Panel: 
OFL, overall ABC/ACL, sub-ACLs, sub-ACTs, DAS open area allocations, 
possession limits, modifications to rotational area management (e.g., 
schedule, rotational closures and openings, seasonal restrictions, 
modifications to boundaries, etc.), access area limited access poundage 
allocations and LAGC IFQ fleet-wide trip allocations, annual incidental 
catch target TAC, and NGOM TAC.
    (2) Based on the PDT recommendations and any public comments 
received, the Atlantic Sea Scallop Oversight Committee shall recommend 
appropriate specifications to the New England Fishery Management 
Council.
    (3) The Council shall review these recommendations and, after 
considering public comments, shall recommend appropriate specifications 
for up to 2 years, as well as second or third-year default measures, to 
NMFS. NMFS shall approve, disapprove, or partially approve the 
specifications recommended by the Council and publish the approved 
specifications in the Federal Register in accordance with the APA.
    (4) The PDT shall prepare a Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation 
(SAFE) Report at least every two years that provides the information 
and analysis needed to evaluate potential management adjustments. The 
preparation of the SAFE Report shall begin on or about June 1 of the 
year preceding the fishing year in which measures will be adjusted.
    (5) The PDT will meet at least once during the interim years to 
review the status of the stock relative to the overfishing definition 
if information is available to do so. If the Council determines, based 
on information provided by the PDT or other stock-related information, 
that the approved specifications should be adjusted during the 2-year 
time period, it can do so through the same process outlined in 
paragraphs (a)(2) through (4) of this section during the interim year.
    (6) Rotational area management guidelines. The Council's 
development of rotational area management adjustments shall take into 
account at least the following factors: General rotation policy; 
boundaries and distribution of rotational closures; number of closures; 
minimum closure size; maximum closure extent; enforceability of 
rotational closed and re-opened areas; monitoring through resource 
surveys; and re-opening criteria. Rotational closures should be 
considered where projected annual change in scallop biomass is greater 
than 30 percent. Areas should be considered for Sea Scallop Rotational 
Areas where the projected annual change in scallop biomass is less than 
15 percent.
    (7) Second and third-year default specifications. The 
specifications action shall include default specifications that shall 
be effective in the second year after 1-year specifications and the 
third year after the 2-year specifications expire until replaced by the 
measures included in the next specifications action. If the 
specifications action is not published in the Federal Register with an 
effective date on or before April 1, the following year's default 
specifications shall be effective beginning April 1 of each fishing 
year until any new specifications action is implemented and made 
effective during the second or third year, or for the entire fishing 
year if the specifications action is not completed or is not 
implemented by NMFS during the following year. The specifications 
action shall specify the measures necessary to address inconsistencies 
between specifications and default allocations for the period after 
April 1 but before the specifications action is implemented for that 
year. The default specifications, if implemented, shall remain in 
effect until they are revised through a subsequent specifications 
action.
* * * * *
    (c) OFL, overall ABC/ACL, sub-ACLs, and sub-ACTs. The Council shall 
specify OFL, ABC, ACL, and ACT, as defined in Sec.  648.53, for each 
year covered under the specifications.
* * * * *
    (f) Framework adjustments. The Council may at any time initiate a 
framework adjustment to add or adjust management measures within the 
Scallop FMP if it finds that action is necessary to meet or be 
consistent with the goals and objectives of the FMP. The Council shall 
develop and analyze appropriate management actions over the span of at 
least two Council meetings. To address interactions between the scallop 
fishery and sea turtles and other protected species, such adjustments 
may include proactive measures including, but not limited to, the 
timing of Sea Scallop Access Area openings, seasonal closures, gear 
modifications, increased observer coverage, and additional research. 
The Council shall provide the public with advance notice of the 
availability of both the proposals and the analyses, and opportunity to 
comment on them prior to and at the second Council meeting. The 
Council's recommendation on adjustments or additions to management

[[Page 54544]]

measures may include specifications measures specified in paragraph (a) 
of this section, which must satisfy the criteria set forth Sec.  
648.53(a) in order to prevent overfishing of the available biomass of 
scallops and ensure that OY is achieved on a continuing basis. Other 
measures that may be changed or implemented through framework action 
include:
* * * * *
    (38) Adjustments to aspects of ACL management, including 
accountability measures;
* * * * *
0
10. In Sec.  648.56, paragraphs (a), (d), (f), and (g) are revised to 
read as follows:


Sec.  648.56  Scallop research.

    (a) At least biennially, in association with the biennial framework 
process, the Council and NMFS shall prepare and issue an announcement 
of Federal Funding Opportunity (FFO) that identifies research 
priorities for projects to be conducted by vessels using research set-
aside as specified in paragraph (d) of this section and Sec.  
648.59(e), provides requirements and instructions for applying for 
funding of a proposed RSA project, and specifies the date by which 
applications must be received. The FFO shall be published as soon as 
possible by NMFS and shall provide the opportunity for applicants to 
apply for projects to be awarded for 1 or 2 years by allowing 
applicants to apply for RSA funding for the first year, second year, or 
both.
* * * * *
    (d) Available RSA allocation shall be 1.25 million lb (567 mt) 
annually, which shall be deducted from the ABC/ACL specified in Sec.  
648.53(a) prior to setting ACLs for the limited access and LAGC fleets, 
as specified in Sec.  648.53(a)(3) and (4), respectively. Approved RSA 
projects shall be allocated an amount of scallop pounds that can be 
harvested in open areas and available access areas. The specific access 
areas that are open to RSA harvest shall be specified through the 
framework process as identified in Sec.  648.59(e)(1). In a year in 
which a framework adjustment is under review by the Council and/or 
NMFS, NMFS shall make RSA awards prior to approval of the framework, if 
practicable, based on total scallop pounds needed to fund each research 
project. Recipients may begin compensation fishing in open areas prior 
to approval of the framework, or wait until NMFS approval of the 
framework to begin compensation fishing within approved access areas
* * * * *
    (f) If all RSA pounds awarded to a project cannot be harvested 
during the applicable fishing year, RSA TAC awarded to that project may 
be harvested through June 30 of the fishing year subsequent to the 
fishing year in which the set-aside is awarded.
    (g) Vessels conducting research under an approved RSA project may 
be exempt from crew restrictions specified in Sec.  648.51, seasonal 
closures of access areas specified in Sec.  648.60, and the restriction 
on fishing in only one access area during a trip specified in Sec.  
648.59(b)(4). The RSA project proposal must list which of these 
measures for which an exemption is required. An exemption shall be 
provided by Letter of Authorization issued by the Regional 
Administrator. RSA compensation fishing trips and combined compensation 
and research trips are not eligible for these exemptions.
* * * * *


Sec.  648.57   [Removed and reserved]

0
11. Remove and reserve Sec.  648.57.


Sec.  648.58   [Removed and reserved]

0
12. Remove and reserve Sec.  648.58.
0
13. Revise Sec.  648.59 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.59  Sea Scallop Rotational Area Management Program and Access 
Area Program requirements.

    (a) The Sea Scallop Rotational Area Management Program consists of 
Scallop Rotational Areas, as defined in Sec.  648.2. Guidelines for 
this area rotation program (i.e., when to close an area and reopen it 
to scallop fishing) are provided in Sec.  648.55(a)(6). Whether a 
rotational area is open or closed to scallop fishing in a given year, 
and the appropriate level of access by limited access and LAGC IFQ 
vessels, are specified through the specifications or framework 
adjustment processes defined in Sec.  648.55. When a rotational area is 
open to the scallop fishery, it is called an Access Area and scallop 
vessels fishing in the area are subject to the Access Area Program 
Requirements specified in this section. Areas not defined as Scallop 
Rotational Areas specified in Sec.  648.60, EFH Closed Areas specified 
in Sec.  648.61, or areas closed to scallop fishing under other FMPs, 
are governed by other management measures and restrictions in this part 
and are referred to as Open Areas.
    (1) When a Scallop Rotational Area is closed to scallop fishing, a 
vessel issued any scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land 
scallops in or from the area unless the vessel is transiting pursuant 
to paragraph (a)(2) of this section. A vessel may fish for species 
other than scallops within the rotational closed areas, provided the 
vessel does not fish for, catch, or retain scallops or intend to fish 
for, catch, or retain scallops. When a Scallop Rotational Area is open 
to scallop fishing (henceforth referred to as an Access Area), a 
scallop vessel may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from 
the area unless it is participating in, and complies with the 
requirements of, the Scallop Access Area Program Requirements defined 
in paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section or the vessel is 
transiting pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
    (2) Transiting a Closed Scallop Rotational Area. No vessel 
possessing scallops may enter or be in the area(s) specified in this 
section when those areas are closed, as specified through the 
specifications or framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  
648.55, unless the vessel is transiting the area and the vessel's 
fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined 
in Sec.  648.2, 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 Scallop Rotational Area or the Closed Area II Extension 
Scallop Rotational Area, as defined Sec.  648.60(d) and (e), 
respectively, or the Elephant Trunk Closed Area, as defined in Sec.  
648.60(b), if there is a compelling safety reason for transiting the 
area and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2.
    (3) Transiting a Scallop Access Area. Any sea scallop vessel that 
has not declared a trip into the Scallop Area Access Program may enter 
a Scallop Access Area, and possess scallops not caught in the Scallop 
Access Areas, for transiting purposes only, provided the vessel's 
fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined 
in Sec.  648.2. Any scallop vessel that has declared a trip into the 
Scallop Area Access Program may not enter or be in another Scallop 
Access Area on the same trip except such vessel may transit another 
Scallop Access Area provided its gear is stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2, 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 Scallop Rotational Area or 
the Closed Area II Extension Scallop Rotational Area, as defined in 
Sec.  648.60(d) and (e), respectively, or the Elephant Trunk Closed 
Area, as defined in Sec.  648.60(b) if there is a compelling safety 
reason for transiting the area and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed 
and not available for immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2.

[[Page 54545]]

    (b) A limited access scallop vessel may only fish in the Scallop 
Rotational Areas, defined in Sec.  648.60, when the areas are open 
(i.e., Access Areas), as specified through the specifications or 
framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  648.55, subject to any 
additional restrictions specified in Sec.  648.60, provided the vessel 
complies with the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through 
(b)(9), and (c) through (f) of this section. An LAGC scallop vessel may 
fish in the Scallop Rotational Areas, defined in Sec.  648.60, when the 
areas are open (i.e., Access Areas), as specified through the 
specifications or framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  
648.55, subject to any additional requirements specified in Sec.  
648.60, provided the vessel complies with the requirements specified in 
paragraph (g) of this section.
    (1) VMS. Each vessel participating in the 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 paragraphs (b)(9) and (f) of this section.
    (2) Vessels participating in the Scallop Access Area Program must 
comply with the trip declaration requirements specified in Sec.  
648.10(f) and vessel notification requirements specified in Sec.  
648.11(g) for observer deployment.
    (3) Scallop Access Area Allocations--(i) Limited access vessel 
allocations and possession limits. (A) Except as provided in paragraph 
(c) of this section, the specifications or framework adjustment 
processes defined in Sec.  648.55 determine the total amount of 
scallops, in weight, that a limited access scallop vessel may harvest 
from Scallop Access Areas during applicable seasons specified in Sec.  
648.60. A vessel may not possess or land in excess of its scallop 
allocation assigned to specific Scallop Access Areas, unless authorized 
by the Regional Administrator, as specified in paragraph (d) of this 
section, unless the vessel owner has exchanged an area-specific scallop 
allocation with another vessel owner for additional scallop allocation 
in that area, as specified in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section. A 
vessel may harvest its scallop allocation on any number of trips in a 
given fishing year, provided that no single trip exceeds the possession 
limits specified in the specifications or framework adjustment 
processes defined in Sec.  648.55, unless authorized by the Regional 
Administrator, as specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section. 
No vessel declared into the Scallop Access Areas may possess more than 
50 bu (17.62 hL) of in-shell scallops outside of the Scallop Rotational 
Area boundaries defined in Sec.  648.60.
    (B) The following access area allocations and possession limits for 
limited access vessels will be effective for the 2016 and 2017 fishing 
years:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Permit category
 Fishing year      Access area                        ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Full-time           Part-time          Occasional
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016.........  Mid-Atlantic        Allocation........  51,000 lb (23,133   20,400 lb (9,253    4,250 lb (1,928
                Access Area.       Possession limit..   kg).                kg).                kg).
                                                       17,000 lb (57,711   10,200 lb (4,627    1,420 lb (644
                                                        kg).                kg).                kg).
2017 *.......  Mid-Atlantic        Allocation........  17,000 lb (57,711   10,200 lb (4,627    1,420 lb (644
                Access Area.       Possession limit..   kg).                kg).                kg).
                                                       17,000 lb (57,711   10,200 lb (4,627    1,420 lb (644
                                                        kg).                kg).                kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The limited access fishery's access area allocations and possession limits for the 2017 fishing year are
  subject to change through a future specifications action or framework adjustment.

    (ii) Limited access vessels' one-for-one area access allocation 
exchanges. The owner of a vessel issued a limited access scallop permit 
may exchange unharvested scallop pounds allocated into one access area 
for another vessel's unharvested scallop pounds allocated into another 
Scallop Access Area. These exchanges may only be made for the amount of 
the current trip possession limit, as specified in paragraph 
(b)(3)(i)(B) of this section. For example, if the access area trip 
possession limit for full-time vessels is 17,000 lb (7,711 kg), a full-
time vessel may exchange no less than 17,000 lb (7,711 kg), from one 
access area for no more or less than 17,000 lb (7,711 kg) allocated to 
another vessel for another access area. In addition, these exchanges 
may be made only between vessels with the same permit category: A full-
time vessel may not exchange allocations with a part-time vessel, and 
vice versa. Vessel owners must request these exchanges by submitting a 
completed Access Area Allocation Exchange Form at least 15 days before 
the date on which the applicant desires the exchange to be effective. 
Exchange forms are available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request. Each vessel owner involved in an exchange is required to 
submit a completed Access Area Allocation Form. The Regional 
Administrator shall review the records for each vessel to confirm that 
each vessel has enough unharvested allocation remaining in a given 
access area to exchange. The exchange is not effective until the vessel 
owner(s) receive a confirmation in writing from the Regional 
Administrator that the allocation exchange has been made effective. A 
vessel owner may exchange equal allocations up to the current 
possession limit between two or more vessels under his/her ownership. A 
vessel owner holding a Confirmation of Permit History is not eligible 
to exchange allocations between another vessel and the vessel for which 
a Confirmation of Permit History has been issued.
    (4) Area fished. While on a Scallop Access Area trip, a vessel may 
not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from areas outside the 
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 Scallop Access Area more than once per trip. A vessel 
on a Scallop Access Area trip may not enter or be in another Scallop 
Access Area on the same trip except such vessel may transit another 
Scallop Access Area as provided for under paragraph (a)(3) of this 
section.
    (5) NE multispecies possession limits--(i) Maximum possession limit 
of NE multispecies combined. A vessel owner or operator of a limited 
access scallop vessel issued a valid NE multispecies permit as 
specified in Sec.  648.4(a)(1), that has declared into a Scallop Access 
Area and fishes within the open Scallop Rotational Area boundaries 
defined in Sec.  648.60, may fish for, possess, and land, per trip, up 
to a maximum of 1,000 lb (453.6 kg) of all NE multispecies combined, 
excluding yellowtail flounder, subject to the minimum commercial fish 
size restrictions specified in Sec.  648.83(a)(1), and the additional 
restrictions for Atlantic cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder 
specified in paragraphs (b)(5)(ii) through (iv) of this section.
    (ii) Atlantic cod. Such vessel may bring onboard and possess only 
up to 100 lb (45.4 kg) of Atlantic cod per trip, provided such fish is 
intended for

[[Page 54546]]

personal use only and cannot be not sold, traded, or bartered.
    (iii) Haddock. Such vessel may possess and land haddock up to the 
overall possession limit of all NE multispecies combined, as specified 
in paragraph (b)(5)(ii) of this section, except that such vessel are 
prohibited from possessing or landing haddock from January 1 through 
June 30.
    (iv) Yellowtail flounder. Such vessel is prohibited from fishing 
for, possessing, or landing yellowtail flounder.
    (6) Gear restrictions. (i) The minimum ring size for dredge gear 
used by a vessel fishing on a Scallop Access Area trip is 4 inches 
(10.2 cm) in diameter. Dredge or trawl gear used by a vessel fishing on 
a 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, Closed 
Area II Extension, and Nantucket Lightship Scallop Rotational Areas 
defined in Sec.  648.60 are prohibited from fishing with trawl gear as 
specified in Sec.  648.51(f)(1).
    (7) Transiting. While outside a Sea Scallop Access Area (i.e., in 
open areas) on a Scallop Access Area trip, the vessel must have all 
fishing gear stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in 
Sec.  648.2, unless there is a compelling safety reason to be 
transiting open areas without gear stowed. Regulations pertaining to 
transiting Scallop Rotational Areas are provided for under paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section.
    (8) Off-loading restrictions. The vessel may not offload its catch 
from a Scallop Access Area trip at more than one location per trip.
    (9) Reporting. The owner or operator must submit scallop catch 
reports through the VMS, as specified in Sec.  648.10(f)(4)(i), and 
limited access scallop access area pre-landing notification forms, as 
specified in Sec.  648.10(f)(4)(iii).
    (c) Scallop Access Area scallop allocation carryover. With the 
exception of vessels that held a Confirmation of Permit History as 
described in Sec.  648.4(a)(2)(i)(J) for the entire fishing year 
preceding the carry-over year, a limited access scallop vessel operator 
may fish any unharvested Scallop Access Area allocation from a given 
fishing year within the first 60 days of the subsequent fishing year if 
the Scallop Access Area is open, unless otherwise specified in this 
section. For example, if a full-time vessel has 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) 
remaining in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area at the end of fishing year 
2016, that vessel may harvest 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) from its 2017 fishing 
year scallop access area allocation during the first 60 days that the 
Mid-Atlantic Access Area is open in fishing year 2017 (March 1, 2017, 
through April 29, 2018). Unless otherwise specified through the 
specifications or framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  
648.55, if a Scallop Access Area is not open in the subsequent fishing 
year, then the unharvested scallop allocation would expire at the end 
of the fishing year that the scallops were allocated.
    (d) Increase in possession limit to defray costs of observers--The 
Regional Administrator may increase the sea scallop possession limit 
through the specifications or framework adjustment processes defined in 
Sec.  648.55 to defray costs of at-sea observers deployed on area 
access trips subject to the limits specified Sec.  648.53(g). An owner 
of a scallop vessel 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 increase in 
the possession limit is no longer available to offset the cost of 
observers. 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) Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Harvest in Scallop Access 
Areas.--Unless otherwise specified, RSA may be harvested in any access 
area that is open in a given fishing year, as specified through a 
specifications action or framework adjustment and pursuant to Sec.  
648.56. The amount of scallops that can be harvested in each access 
area by vessels participating in approved RSA projects shall be 
determined through the RSA application review and approval process.
    (f) VMS polling. For the duration of the Sea Scallop Area Access 
Program, as defined 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) Limited Access General Category vessels. (1) An LAGC scallop 
vessel may only fish in the scallop rotational areas specified in Sec.  
648.60 or in paragraph (g)(3)(iv) of this section, subject to any 
additional restrictions specified in Sec.  648.60, subject to the 
possession limit and access area schedule specified in the 
specifications or framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  
648.55, provided the vessel complies with the requirements specified in 
paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(6) through (9), (d), (e), (f), and (g) 
of this section. A vessel issued both a NE multispecies permit and an 
LAGC scallop permit may fish in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 and 
under multispecies DAS in the Closed Area I, Closed Area II, Closed 
Area II Extension, and Nantucket Lightship Scallop Rotational Areas 
specified in Sec.  648.60, when open, provided the vessel complies with 
the requirements specified in Sec.  648.59 and this paragraph (g), but 
may not fish for, possess, or land scallops on such trips.
    (2) Limited Access General Category Gear restrictions. An LAGC IFQ 
scallop vessel authorized to fish in the Scallop Rotational Areas 
specified in Sec.  648.60 must fish with dredge gear only. The combined 
dredge width in use by, or in possession on board of, an LAGC scallop 
vessel fishing in Closed Area I, Closed Area II, Closed Area II 
Extension, and Nantucket Lightship Access Areas may not exceed 10.5 ft 
(3.2 m). The combined dredge width in use by, or in possession on board 
of, an LAGC scallop vessel fishing in the remaining Scallop Rotational 
Areas defined in Sec.  648.60 may not exceed 31 ft (9.4 m). Dredge 
width is measured at the widest point in the bail of the dredge.
    (3) LAGC IFQ Access Area trips. (i) An LAGC scallop vessel 
authorized to fish in the Scallop Rotational Areas specified in Sec.  
648.60 or in paragraph (g)(3)(iv) of this section may land scallops, 
subject to the possession limit specified in Sec.  648.52(a), unless 
the Regional Administrator has issued a notice that the number of LAGC 
IFQ access area trips have been or are projected to be taken. All LAGC 
IFQ access area trips must be taken in the fishing year that they are 
allocated (i.e., there are no carryover trips). The total number of 
LAGC IFQ trips in an Access Area is specified in the specifications or 
framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  648.55.
    (ii) Scallops landed by each LAGC IFQ vessel on an access area trip 
shall count against the vessel's IFQ.
    (iii) Upon a determination from the Regional Administrator that the 
total number of LAGC IFQ trips in a specified Access Area have been or 
are projected to be taken, the Regional Administrator shall publish 
notification of this determination in the Federal Register, in 
accordance with the Administrative

[[Page 54547]]

Procedure Act. Once this determination has been made, an LAGC IFQ 
scallop vessel may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from 
the specified Access Area after the effective date of the notification 
published in the Federal Register.
    (iv) Nantucket Lightship North Sea Scallop Access Area. (A) From 
March 1, 2016, through February 28, 2018 (i.e., fishing years 2016 and 
2017), a vessel issued an LAGC IFQ scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Nantucket 
Lightship North Access Area, defined in paragraph (g)(3)(iv)(B) of this 
section, unless the vessel is participating in, and complying with the 
requirements of, the area access program defined in this section or the 
vessel is transiting pursuant to Sec.  648.59(a)(3).
    (B) The Nantucket Lightship North 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLNAA1...........................  40[deg]50' N.       69[deg]00' W.
NLNAA2...........................  40[deg]30' N.       69[deg]00' W.
NLNAA3...........................  40[deg]30' N.       69[deg]30' W.
NLNAA4...........................  40[deg]50' N.       69[deg]30' W.
NLNAA1...........................  40[deg]50' N.       69[deg]00' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (v) The following LAGC IFQ access area allocations will be 
effective for the 2016 and 2017 fishing years:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Scallop rotational area                   2016    2017 *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic Access Area..............................    2,068      602
Nantucket Lightship North.............................      485        0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The LAGC IFQ access area trip allocations for the 2017 fishing year
  are subject to change through a future specifications action or
  framework adjustment.

    (4) Possession limits--(i) 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, 
and that has not declared into the Scallop Access Area Program, is 
prohibited from possessing scallops. An LAGC scallop vessel authorized 
to fish in the Scallop Rotational Areas specified in Sec.  648.60 may 
possess scallops up to the possession limit specified in Sec.  
648.52(a).
    (ii) Other species. Unless issued an LAGC scallop permit and 
fishing under an approved NE multispecies SAP under NE multispecies 
DAS, an LAGC IFQ vessel fishing in the Closed Area I, Closed Area II, 
Closed Area II Extension, and Nantucket Lightship Rotational Areas 
specified in Sec.  648.60, and the Nantucket Lightship North Sea 
Scallop Access Area specified in paragraph (g)(3)(iv) of this section 
is prohibited from possessing any species of fish other than scallops 
and monkfish, as specified in Sec.  648.94(c)(8)(i). Such a vessel may 
fish in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS 
in the scallop access area, provided that it has not declared into the 
Scallop Access Area Program. Such a vessel is prohibited from fishing 
for, possessing, or landing scallops.
0
14. Revise Sec.  648.60 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.60  Sea Scallop Rotational Areas.

    (a) Mid-Atlantic Scallop Rotational Area. (1) The Mid-Atlantic 
Scallop Rotational Area is comprised of the following scallop access 
areas: The Delmarva Scallop Rotational Area, as defined in paragraph 
(a)(2) of this section; the Elephant Trunk Scallop Rotational Area, as 
defined in paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and the Hudson Canyon 
Scallop Rotational Area, as defined in paragraph (a)(4) of this 
section.
    (2) Delmarva Scallop Rotational Area. The Delmarva Scallop 
Rotational 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Elephant Trunk Scallop Rotational Area. The Elephant Trunk 
Scallop Rotational 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]30' N.       74[deg]20' W.
ETAA2............................  38[deg]30' N.       73[deg]50' W.
ETAA3............................  38[deg]40' N.       73[deg]50' W.
ETAA4............................  38[deg]40' N.       73[deg]40' W.
ETAA5............................  38[deg]50' N.       73[deg]40' W.
ETAA6............................  38[deg]50' N.       73[deg]30' W.
ETAA7............................  38[deg]10' N.       73[deg]30' W.
ETAA8............................  38[deg]10' N.       74[deg]20' W.
ETAA1............................  38[deg]30' N.       74[deg]20' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Hudson Canyon Scallop Rotational Area. The Hudson Canyon 
Scallop Rotational 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...............................  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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Elephant Trunk Closed Area. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETCA 1...........................  38[deg]50' N.       74[deg]20' W.
ETCA 2...........................  38[deg]50' N.       73[deg]40' W.
ETCA 3...........................  38[deg]40' N.       73[deg]40' W.
ETCA 4...........................  38[deg]40' N.       73[deg]50' W.
ETCA 5...........................  38[deg]30' N.       73[deg]50' W.
ETCA 6...........................  38[deg]30' N.       74[deg]20' W.
ETCA 1...........................  38[deg]50' N.       74[deg]20' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Closed Area I Scallop Rotational Area. (1) The Closed Area I 
Scallop Rotational 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), and 
so that the line connecting points CAIA3 and CAIA4 is the same as the 
portion of the western boundary line of Closed Area I, defined in Sec.  
648.81(a)(1), that lies between points CAIA3 and CAIA4:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                          Latitude                  Longitude                  Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIA1................................  41[deg]26' N.             68[deg]30' W.             .....................
CAIA2................................  40[deg]58' N.             68[deg]30' W.             .....................
CAIA3................................  40[deg]54.95' N.          68[deg]53.37' W.          (\1\)
CAIA4................................  41[deg]04' N.             69[deg]01' W.             (\1\)

[[Page 54548]]

 
CAIA1................................  41[deg]26' N.             68[deg]30' W.             .....................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ From Point CAIA3 to Point CAIA4 along the western boundary of Closed Area I, defined in Sec.   648.81(a)(1).

    (d) Closed Area II Scallop Rotational Area. (1) The Closed Area II 
Scallop Rotational Area is defined by straight lines, except where 
noted, 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                  Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIIA1...............................  41[deg]00' N.             67[deg]20' W.             .....................
CAIIA2...............................  41[deg]00' N.             66[deg]35.8' W.           .....................
CAIIA3...............................  41[deg]18.45' N.          (\1\)                     (\2\)
CAIIA4...............................  41[deg]30' N.             (\3\)                     (\2\)
CAIIA5...............................  41[deg]30' N.             67[deg]20' W.             .....................
CAIIA1...............................  41[deg]00' N.             67[deg]20' W.             .....................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]18.45'
  N. lat. and 66[deg]24.89' W. long.
\2\ From Point CAIIA3 connected to Point CAIIA4 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.
\3\ The intersection of 41[deg]30' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]30' N.
  lat., 66[deg]34.73' W. long.

    (2) 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 Rotational Area, defined in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, during the period of August 15 through November 15 of each 
year the Closed Area II Access Area is open to scallop vessels, unless 
transiting pursuant to Sec.  648.59(a).
    (e) Closed Area II Extension Scallop Rotational Area. The Closed 
Area II Extension Rotational Area is defined by straight lines, except 
where noted, 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                  Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIIE1...............................  40[deg]30' N.             67[deg]20' W.             .....................
CAIIE2...............................  41[deg]00' N.             67[deg]20' W.             .....................
CAIIE3...............................  41[deg]00' N.             66[deg]35.8' W.           .....................
CAIIE4...............................  41[deg]18.45' N.          (\1\)                     (\2\)
CAIIE5...............................  40[deg]30' N.             (\3\)                     (\2\)
CAIIE1...............................  40[deg]30' N.             67[deg]20' W.             .....................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]18.45'
  N. lat. and 66[deg]24.89' W. long.
\2\ From Point CAIIE4 to Point CAIIE5 following the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.
\3\ The intersection of 40[deg]30' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately, 65[deg]44.34'
  W. long.

    (f) Nantucket Lightship Scallop Rotational Area. (1) The Nantucket 
Lightship Scallop Rotational 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLAA1............................  40[deg]50' N.       69[deg]30' W.
NLAA2............................  40[deg]50' N.       69[deg]00' W.
NLAA3............................  40[deg]33' N.       69[deg]00' W.
NLAA4............................  40[deg]33' N.       68[deg]48' W.
NLAA5............................  40[deg]20' N.       68[deg]48' W.
NLAA6............................  40[deg]20' N.       69[deg]30' W.
NLAA1............................  40[deg]50' N.       69[deg]30' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
15. In Sec.  648.62, paragraphs (a)(3), the introductory text to 
paragraph (b), paragraph (b)(3), and (c) are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.62  Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Management Program.

    (a)* * *
    (3) Scallop landings by all vessels issued LAGC IFQ scallop permits 
and fishing in the NGOM scallop management area shall be deducted from 
the NGOM scallop total allowable catch specified in the specifications 
or framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  648.55. Scallop 
landings by IFQ scallop vessels fishing in the NGOM scallop management 
area shall be deducted from their respective scallop IFQs. Landings by 
incidental catch scallop vessels and limited access scallop vessels 
fishing under the scallop DAS program shall not be deducted from the 
NGOM total allowable catch specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
* * * * *
    (b) Total allowable catch. The total allowable catch for the NGOM 
scallop management area shall be specified through the framework 
adjustment process. The total allowable catch for the NGOM scallop 
management area shall be based on the Federal portion of the scallop 
resource in the NGOM. The total allowable catch shall be determined by 
historical landings until additional information on the NGOM scallop 
resource is available, for example through an NGOM resource survey and 
assessment. The ABC/ACL as defined in Sec.  648.53(a) shall not include 
the total allowable catch for the NGOM scallop management area, and 
landings from the NGOM scallop management area shall not be counted 
against the ABC/ACL defined in Sec.  648.53(a).
* * * * *
    (3) If the annual NGOM TAC is exceeded, the amount of NGOM scallop 
landings in excess of the TAC specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section shall be deducted from the NGOM TAC for the subsequent fishing 
year, as soon as practicable, once scallop landings data for the NGOM 
fishery is available.
    (c) VMS requirements. Except scallop vessels issued a limited 
access scallop permit pursuant to Sec.  648.4(a)(2)(i) that have 
declared a trip under the scallop DAS program, a vessel issued a 
scallop permit pursuant to Sec.  648.4(a)(2) that intends to fish for 
scallops in the NGOM

[[Page 54549]]

scallop management area or fishes for, possesses, or lands scallops in 
or from the NGOM scallop management area, must declare a NGOM scallop 
management area trip and report scallop catch through the vessel's VMS 
unit, as required in Sec.  648.10. If the vessel has a NGOM permit, the 
vessel must declare either a Federal NGOM trip or a state-waters NGOM 
trip. If a vessel intends to fish any part of a NGOM trip in Federal 
NGOM waters, it may not declare into the state water NGOM fishery.
* * * * *
0
16. In Sec.  648.63, paragraph (b)(2)(iii) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.63  General category Sectors and harvesting cooperatives.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) A sector shall not be allocated more than 20 percent of the 
ACL for IFQ vessels defined in Sec.  648.53(a)(4).
* * * * *
0
17. In Sec.  648.64, paragraph (e) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.64  Yellowtail flounder sub-ACLs and AMs for the scallop 
fishery.

* * * * *
    (e) Process for implementing the AM--(1) If reliable information is 
available to make a mid-year determination: On or about January 15 of 
each year, based upon catch and other information available to NMFS, 
the Regional Administrator shall determine whether a yellowtail 
flounder sub-ACL was exceeded, or is projected to be exceeded, by 
scallop vessels prior to the end of the scallop fishing year. The 
determination shall include the amount of the overage or projected 
amount of the overage, specified as a percentage of the overall sub-ACL 
for the applicable yellowtail flounder stock, in accordance with the 
values specified in paragraph (a) of this section. Based on this 
initial projection in mid-January, the Regional Administrator shall 
implement the AM in accordance with the APA and notify owners of 
limited access and LAGC scallop vessels by letter identifying the 
length of the closure and a summary of the yellowtail flounder catch, 
overage, and projection that resulted in the closure.
    (2) If reliable information is not available to make a mid-year 
determination: Once NMFS has compiled the necessary information (e.g., 
when the previous fishing year's observer and catch data are fully 
available), the Regional Administrator shall determine whether a 
yellowtail flounder sub-ACL was exceeded by scallop vessels following 
the end of the scallop fishing year. The determination shall include 
the amount of the overage, specified as a percentage of the overall 
sub-ACL for the applicable yellowtail flounder stock, in accordance 
with the values specified in paragraph (a) of this section. Based on 
this information, the Regional Administrator shall implement the AM in 
accordance with the APA in Year 3 (e.g., an accountability measure 
would be implemented in fishing year 2016 for an overage that occurred 
in fishing year 2014) and notify owners of limited access and LAGC 
scallop vessels by letter identifying the length of the closure and a 
summary of the yellowtail flounder catch and overage information.
* * * * *
0
18. In Sec.  648.65, paragraph (c) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.65  Windowpane flounder sub-ACL and AM for the scallop 
fishery.

* * * * *
    (c) Process for implementing the AM--(1) If reliable information is 
available to make a mid-year determination: On or about January 15 of 
each year, based upon catch and other information available to NMFS, 
the Regional Administrator shall determine whether the SNE/MA 
windowpane flounder sub-ACL was exceeded, or is projected to be 
exceeded, and if an accountability measure was triggered as described 
in Sec.  648.90(a)(5)(iv), by scallop vessels prior to the end of the 
scallop fishing year. The determination shall include the amount of the 
overage or projected amount of the overage, specified as a percentage 
of the overall sub-ACL for the SNE/MA windowpane flounder stock, in 
accordance with the values specified in paragraph (a) of this section. 
Based on this initial determination in mid-January, the Regional 
Administrator shall implement the AM in the following fishing year in 
accordance with the APA and attempt to notify owners of limited access 
and LAGC scallop vessels by letter identifying the length of the gear 
restricted area and a summary of the SNE/MA windowpane flounder catch, 
overage, and projection that resulted in the gear restricted area.
    (2) If reliable information is not available to make a mid-year 
determination: Once NMFS has compiled the necessary information (e.g., 
when the previous fishing year's observer and catch data are fully 
available), the Regional Administrator shall determine whether the SNE/
MA windowpane flounder sub-ACL was exceeded and if an accountability 
measure was triggered as described in Sec.  648.90(a)(5)(iv), by 
scallop vessels following the end of the scallop fishing year. The 
determination shall include the amount of the overage, specified as a 
percentage of the overall sub-ACL for the SNE/MA windowpane flounder 
stock, in accordance with the values specified in paragraph (a) of this 
section. Based on this information, the Regional Administrator shall 
implement the AM in accordance with the APA in Year 3 (e.g., an 
accountability measure would be implemented in fishing year 2016 for an 
overage that occurred in fishing year 2014) and attempt to notify 
owners of limited access and LAGC scallop vessels by letter identifying 
the length of the gear restricted area and a summary of the SNE/MA 
windowpane flounder catch and overage information.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2016-19465 Filed 8-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P