[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 57 (Monday, March 27, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15155-15164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06002]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No.: 161118999-7280-02]
RIN 0648-BG46


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop 
Fishery; Framework Adjustment 28

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS approves and implements through regulations the measures 
included in Framework Adjustment 28 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery 
Management Plan, which the New England Fishery Management Council 
adopted and submitted to NMFS for approval. The purpose of Framework 28 
is to prevent overfishing, improve yield-per-recruit, and improve the 
overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. Framework 28: 
Sets specifications for the scallop fishery for fishing year 2017; 
revises the way we allocate catch to the limited access general 
category individual fishing quota fleet to reflect the spatial 
management of the scallop fishery; and implements a 50-bushel shell 
stock possession limit for limited access vessels inshore of the days-
at-sea demarcation line north of 42[deg] 20' N. lat.

DATES: Effective March 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The Council developed an environmental assessment (EA) for 
this action that describes the action and other considered alternatives 
and provides a thorough analysis of the impacts of these measures. 
Copies of the Framework, the EA, and the Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (IRFA), are available upon request from Thomas A. Nies, 
Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water 
Street, Newburyport, MA 01950. The EA/IRFA is also accessible via the 
Internet at: http://www.nefmc.org/scallops/index.html.
    Copies of the small entity compliance guide are available from John 
K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional 
Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, 
or available on the internet at: http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/species/scallop/.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Council adopted Framework 28 on November 17, 2016, and 
submitted a draft of the framework to NMFS on December 21, 2016, that 
presented Council recommended measures, rationale, impacts for review, 
and a draft EA. NMFS published a proposed rule, including a reference 
on how to obtain the framework and the draft final EA, for approving 
and implementing Framework 28 on January 19, 2017 (82 FR 6472). The 
proposed rule included a 15-day public comment period that closed on 
February 7, 2017. The Council submitted a final EA to NMFS on March 10, 
2017, for approval. This annual action includes catch, effort, and 
quota allocations and adjustments to the rotational area management 
program for fishing year 2017. Framework 28 specifies measures for 
fishing year 2017, and includes fishing year 2018 measures that will go 
into place as a default should the next specifications-setting 
framework be delayed beyond the start of fishing year 2018. NMFS has 
approved all of the measures recommended by the Council and described 
below. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(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, the Magnuson-
Stevens Act and its National Standards, and other applicable law. We 
must defer to the Council's policy choices unless there is a clear 
inconsistency with the law or the FMP. Details concerning the 
development of these measures were contained in the preamble of the 
proposed rule and are not repeated here.

Specification of Scallop Overfishing Limit (OFL), Acceptable Biological 
Catch (ABC), Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), Annual Catch Targets (ACTs), 
Annual Projected Landings (APLs) and Set-Asides for the 2017 Fishing 
Year and Default Specifications for Fishing Year 2018

    Table 1 outlines the scallop fishery catch limits derived from the 
ABC values and the projected landings of the fleet.

[[Page 15156]]



 Table 1--Scallop Catch Limits (mt) for Fishing Years 2017 and 2018 for
                 the Limited Access and LAGC IFQ Fleets
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Catch limits                  2017  (mt)      2018  (mt)*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overfishing Limit.......................          75,485          69,678
Acceptable Biological Catch/ACL                   46,737          43,142
 (discards removed).....................
Incidental Catch........................              23              23
Research Set-Aside (RSA)................             567             567
Observer Set-Aside......................             467             431
ACL for fishery.........................          45,680          42,121
Limited Access ACL......................          43,167          39,804
LAGC Total ACL..........................           2,512           2,317
LAGC IFQ ACL (5% of ACL)................           2,284           2,106
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ ACL (0.5%               228             211
 of ACL)................................
Limited Access ACT......................          38,623          35,614
APL.....................................          20,516               *
Limited Access Projected Landings (94.5%          19,388               *
 of APL)................................
Total IFQ Annual Allocation (5.5% of               1,129          ** 846
 APL)...................................
LAGC IFQ Annual Allocation (5% of APL)..           1,026          ** 769
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ Annual                  103           ** 77
 Allocation (0.5% of APL)...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The catch limits for the 2018 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. This
  includes the setting of an APL for 2018 that will be based on the 2017
  annual scallop surveys.
** As a precautionary measure, the 2018 IFQ annual allocations are set
  at 75% of the 2017 IFQ Annual Allocations.

    This action deducts 1.25 million lb (567 mt) of scallops annually 
for 2017 and 2018 from the ABC and sets it aside as the Scallop RSA to 
fund scallop research and to compensate participating vessels through 
the sale of scallops harvested under RSA projects. As of March 1, 2017, 
this set-aside has been available for harvest by RSA-funded project in 
the open area. Framework 28 allows RSA to be harvested from the Mid-
Atlantic Access Area (MAAA), but would prevent RSA harvesting from 
access areas under 2018 default measures. Framework 28 also clarifies 
that RSA cannot be harvested from the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) 
management area. Of this 1.25 million lb (567 mt) allocation, NMFS has 
already allocated 63,204 lb (28.7 mt) to previously-funded multi-year 
projects as part of the 2016 RSA awards process. NMFS reviewed 
proposals submitted for consideration of 2017 RSA awards and announced 
project selections on March 17, 2017. Details on the 2017 RSA awards 
can be found on our Web site here: http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/coopresearch/news/scallop-rsa-2017-18/.
    This action also sets aside 1 percent of the ABC for the industry-
funded observer program to help defray the cost to scallop vessels that 
carry an observer. The observer set-asides for fishing years 2017 and 
2018 are 467 mt and 431 mt, respectively. In fishing year 2017, the 
compensation rates for limited access vessels in open areas fishing 
under days-at-sea (DAS) is 0.12 DAS per DAS fished. For access area 
trips, the compensation rate is 200 lb (91 kg), in addition to the 
vessel's possession limit for the trip for each day or part of a day an 
observer is onboard. LAGC IFQ vessels may possess an additional 200 lb 
(91 kg) per trip in open areas when carrying an observer. NMFS may 
adjust the compensation rate throughout the fishing year, depending on 
how quickly the fleets are using the set aside. The Council may adjust 
the 2018 observer set-aside through its development non-default 
measures for 2018.

Open Area DAS Allocations

    This action implements vessel-specific DAS allocations for each of 
the three limited access scallop DAS permit categories (i.e., full-
time, part-time, and occasional) for 2017 and 2018 (Table 2). Framework 
28 sets 2018 DAS allocations at 75 percent of fishing year 2017 DAS 
allocations as a precautionary measure. This is to avoid over-
allocating DAS to the fleet in the event that the 2018 specifications 
action, if delayed past the start of the 2018 fishing year, estimates 
that DAS should be less than currently projected. The allocations in 
Table 2 exclude any DAS deductions that are required if the limited 
access scallop fleet exceeded its 2016 sub-ACL. In addition, these DAS 
values take into account a 0.14-DAS reduction necessary to compensate 
for a measure implemented in Framework Adjustment 26 to the FMP (80 FR 
22119; April 21, 2015) that allows vessels to transit to ports south of 
39[deg] N. lat. while not on DAS. The DAS also include a 4.7 percent 
increase because the 2017 fishing year will be 13 months long to 
account for the change in the start of the fishing year (from March 1 
to April 1) implemented through Amendment 19 to the Scallop FMP (81 FR 
76516; November 3, 2016).

      Table 2--Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations for 2017 and 2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               2018
             Permit category                   2017          (default)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time...............................           30.41           21.75
Part-Time...............................           12.16            8.69
Occasional..............................            2.54            1.91
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 15157]]

Limited Access Allocations and Trip Possession Limits for Scallop 
Access Areas

    For fishing year 2017, Framework 28 keeps the MAAA open as an 
access area and also opens the Nantucket Lightship Access Area (NLS) 
and Closed Area 2 Access Area (CA2). In addition, this action opens the 
Elephant Trunk Closed Area and allows full-time vessels to choose to 
fish up to 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) in the Elephant Trunk area or they may 
choose to fish this allocation in the MAAA. Because of the flexible 
trip option for the Elephant Trunk area, this action renames the area 
the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area (ETFA) for 2017. Framework 28 also 
implements a seasonal closure of the ETFA, from July 1 through 
September 30, to help reduce the discard mortality of small scallops 
during the warmest months of the year. For the 2018 fishing year, full-
time limited access vessels will be allocated 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) in 
the MAAA only with a trip possession limit of 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) per 
trip.
    Table 3 outlines the limited access full-time allocations for all 
of the access areas, which could be taken in as many trips as needed, 
so long as the vessels do not exceed the possession limit (also in 
Table 3) on each trip.

             Table 3--Scallop Access Area Full-Time Limited Access Vessel Poundage Allocations and Trip Possession Limits for 2017 and 2018
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Rotational access area            Scallop trip possession limit              2017 Scallop allocation           2018 Scallop allocation  (default)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area 2....................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)..................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)..................  0 lb (0 kg).
Nantucket Lightship..............  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)..................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)..................  0 lb (0 kg).
Mid-Atlantic.....................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)..................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)..................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
Elephant Trunk Flex..............  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)..................  * 18,000 lb (8,165 kg)................  0 lb (0 kg).
    Total........................  ......................................  72,000 lb (32,660 kg).................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* ETFA allocation can be landed from either the ETFA or the MAAA.

    For the 2017 fishing year only, a part-time limited access vessel 
is allocated a total of 28,800 lb (13,064 kg) with a trip possession 
limit of 14,400 lb per trip (6,532 kg per trip). Of the 28,800-lb 
(13,064-kg) allocation, 14,400 lb (6,532 kg) is allocated exclusively 
to the MAAA. The remaining 14,400 lb (6,532 kg) may be harvested and 
landed either from the MAAA or any one other available access area, 
(CA2, NLS, or ETFA). However, if a vessel chooses to harvest and land 
the remaining 14,400 lb (6,532 kg) from the ETFA and does not harvest 
up to the full allocation on a trip, it is only allowed to land the 
remaining pounds either from the ETFA or the MAAA. For the 2018 fishing 
year, part-time limited access vessels will be allocated 14,400 lb 
(6,532 kg) in the MAAA only with a trip possession limit of 14,400 lb 
per trip (6,532 kg per trip).
    For the 2017 fishing year only, an occasional limited access vessel 
is allocated 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) with a trip possession limit of 6,000 
lb per trip (2,722 kg per trip). Occasional vessels are able to harvest 
6,000 lb (2,722 kg) allocation from only one available access area 
(CA2, NLS, MAAA, or ETFA). For the 2018 fishing year, occasional 
limited access vessels are allocated 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) in the MAAA 
only with a trip possession limit of 6,000 lb per trip (2,722 kg per 
trip).

Limited Access Vessels' One-for-One Area Access Allocation Exchanges

    This action clarifies that 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 access area. These exchanges may only be made 
for the amount of the current trip possession limit (full-time: 18,000-
lb (8,165-kg) and part-time: 14,400 lb (6,532 kg)). 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.
    In fishing year 2017, each limited access full-time vessel will be 
allocated 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) that may be landed from either the ETFA 
or the MAAA (flex allocation). Such flex allocation may be exchanged in 
full only for another access area allocation, but only the flex 
allocation could be landed from the ETFA. For example, if a Vessel A 
exchanges 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) of flex allocation for 18,000 lb (8,165 
kg) of MAAA allocation with Vessel B, Vessel A would no longer be 
allowed to land allocation from the ETFA based on its MAAA allocation, 
but Vessel B could land up to 36,000 lb (16,330 kg) from the ETFA and/
or the MAAA, combined.

Prohibition on Possessing Greater Than 50 Bushels of Shell Stock for 
Limited Access Vessels Inshore of the DAS Demarcation Line North of 
42[deg] 20' N. Lat.

    This action extends the existing prohibition on possessing greater 
than 50-bushels of shell stock inshore of the DAS demarcation line for 
limited access vessels to waters north of 42[deg] 20' N. lat. to 
prevent limited access vessels from shucking scallops off the DAS 
clock. This prohibition is now fishery-wide.

LAGC Measures

    1. LAGC IFQ Fleet Allocation Based on Spatial Management. To help 
ensure that the allocation of potential landings between the fleets is 
more consistent with the concept of spatial management, this action 
changes the way the LAGC IFQ allocations are set from a direct 
percentage of the ACL to a percentage of the APL. This results in an 
approximate 55 percent reduction in the allocation from the current 
method of allocation (status quo) for 2017 (2.49 million lb (1,129 mt) 
based on projected catch compared to 5.5 million lb (2,512 mt) based on 
stock-wide ACL). This new method of allocating to the LAGC IFQ fleet 
reduces the risk of LAGC IFQ allocations resulting in higher realized F 
rates in certain areas than predicted in the model.
    2. ACL and IFQ allocation for LAGC vessels with IFQ permits. For 
LAGC vessels with IFQ permits, this action implements a 2,284-mt ACL 
for 2017 and a default ACL of 2,106 mt for 2018 (see Table 1). These 
sub-ACLs have no associated regulatory or management requirements, but 
provide a ceiling on overall landings by the LAGC IFQ fleets. The 
annual allocations to the LAGC IFQ-only fleet for fishing years 2017 
and 2018 based on APL are 1,026 mt and 769 mt, respectively (see Table 
1). The 2017 allocation includes a 4.7-percent increase because the 
2017 fishing year will be 13 months long to account for the change in 
the start of the fishing year (from March 1 to April 1) implemented 
through Amendment 19 to the Scallop FMP.

[[Page 15158]]

    3. ACL and IFQ allocation for Limited Access Scallop Vessels with 
IFQ Permits. For limited access scallop vessels with IFQ permits, this 
action implements a 228-mt ACL for 2017 and a default 211-mt ACL for 
2018 (see Table 1). As explained above, this action changes the way the 
Council and NMFS calculate IFQ allocations by applying each vessel's 
IFQ contribution percentage to this fleet's percentage (i.e., 0.5 
percent) of the projected landings. The annual allocations to limited 
access vessels with IFQ permits for fishing years 2017 and 2018 are 103 
mt and 77 mt, respectively (see Table 1). The 2017 allocation includes 
a 4.7 percent increase because the 2017 fishing year will be 13 months 
long to account for the change in the start of the fishing year (from 
March 1 to April 1) implemented through Amendment 19 to the Scallop 
FMP.
    4. LAGC IFQ Trip Allocations for Scallop Access Areas. Framework 28 
allocates LAGC IFQ vessels a fleetwide number of trips in the NLS, 
MAAA, and ETFA for fishing year 2017 and default fishing year 2018 
trips in the MAAA (see Table 4). The total number of trips for both 
areas combined (2,230) for fishing year 2017 is equivalent to the 5.5 
percent of total catch from access areas. This action does not allocate 
any LAGC IFQ trips into CA2 because many of these vessels do not fish 
in that area due to its distance from shore. Because the IFQ vessels 
would not be able to access CA2, Framework 28 shifts those trips that 
would have been allocated to CA2 to other access areas closer to shore, 
so that LAGC IFQ vessels have the opportunity to utilize their access 
area trips. This action allocates 558 trips that would have been 
allocated to CA2 into NLS (280 trips), MAAA (139), and ETFA (139).

       Table 4--LAGC IFQ Trip Allocations for Scallop Access Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 2018
                  Access area                       2017      (default)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLS...........................................          837  ...........
MAAA..........................................          697          558
ETFA..........................................          697  ...........
                                               -------------------------
    Total.....................................        2,231          558
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    5. NGOM TAC. This action implements a 95,000-lb (43,091 kg) annual 
NGOM TAC for fishing years 2017 and 2018. During the 2016 fishing year 
there was a 21,629-lb (9,811-kg) overage of the NGOM TAC. This triggers 
a pound-for-pound deduction in 2017 to account for the overage. 
Therefore, the 2017 NGOM TAC is 73,371 lb (33,281 kg) to account for 
the overage.
    6. Scallop Incidental Catch Target TAC. This action implements a 
50,000-lb (22,680-kg) scallop incidental catch target TAC for fishing 
years 2017 and 2018 to account for mortality from this component of the 
fishery, and to ensure that F targets are not exceeded. The Council and 
NMFS may adjust this target TAC in a future action if vessels catch 
more scallops under the incidental target TAC than predicted.

RSA Harvest Restrictions

    This action prohibits vessels participating in RSA projects from 
harvesting RSA compensation from CA2, NLS, and ETFA during the 2017 
fishing year to control F, reduce impacts on flatfish, and reduce 
impacts on high densities of scallops with growth potential. Further, 
this action clarifies that the harvest of RSA compensation from the 
NGOM is prohibited. During the 2017 fishing year, all RSA compensation 
fishing must take place in either the open area or the MAAA. In 
addition, Framework 28 prohibits the harvest of RSA from any access 
areas under default 2018 measures. At the start of 2018, RSA 
compensation may only be harvested from the open area. The Council may 
re-evaluate this measure in the action that would set final 2018 
specifications.

Regulatory Corrections Under Regional Administrator Authority

    This rule includes a revision to the regulatory text to address a 
typographical error in the regulations. NMFS proposes this change 
consistent with section 305(d) of the MSA 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 MSA. This revision corrects the error at Sec.  
648.14(i)(4)(i)(G).

Comments and Responses

    We received four comments on the proposed rule during the public 
comment period; three in support of the action and one against specific 
measures. An IFQ vessel owner, Lund's Fisheries Incorporated, and the 
Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF) (which represents a majority of the 
limited access scallop fleet) wrote in support of the rule. The 
following summarizes the issues raised in the comments and NMFS's 
responses.
    Comment 1: Both Lund's Fisheries Incorporated and FSF encouraged 
NMFS to implement Framework 28 without delay, specifically regarding 
the Executive Order (E.O.) titled Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs.
    Response: To help ease the burden on the industry, NMFS intends to 
make Framework 28 effective upon filing for public inspection in the 
Federal Register by waiving the 30-day delay in effectiveness required 
under the Administrative Procedures Act (see the Classification section 
below in this preamble). Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance 
clarifies that E.O. 13771, titled Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs (January 30, 2017), only applies to significant rules 
pursuant to E.O. 12866. OMB has determined that this rule is not 
significant pursuant to E.O. 12866. Therefore, Framework 28 is not 
subject to the requirements of E.O. 13771.
    Comment 2: One commenter, an IFQ vessel owner and operator, 
suggested that we should not open the access areas in April due to 
safety and scallop meat yield concerns.
    Response: Vessel operators must decide throughout the year when it 
is safe to fish and when it is not. We expect IFQ access area trips to 
be available well into May and beyond in some areas. Therefore, we do 
not believe that IFQ vessels will be forced to operate in unsafe 
conditions. We agree that meat yields are not at their peak in April, 
but this is consistent with scheduled opening of the MAAA in the 
default measures for fishing year 2017 that was put in place for this 
very reason. The Council did not discuss a closure or a delayed opening 
for the access areas, and it would be beyond our authority to postpone 
opening for reasons related to yield from the scallop resource and 
fishing mortality.
    Comment 3: The IFQ vessel owner was concerned about the reduction 
in IFQ allocation from last year. He fears that the smaller vessels 
will not be profitable with the smaller quota in 2017 and that 
consolidation will continue on larger boats.
    Response: The proposed IFQ reduction is a result of setting the 
allocation based on the projected landings as opposed to the ACL. The 
Council preferred this method because it was more consistent with the 
intent of Amendment 11 to the Scallop FMP (73 FR 20089; April 14, 
2008), and because there is less potential to cause harm to the scallop 
biomass. The ownership caps in the LAGC IFQ fleet of 5 percent per 
owner and 2.5 percent per vessel remain in place to prevent excessive 
consolidation in the fleet.
    Comment 4: The IFQ vessel owner commented that the observer costs 
were too high for LAGC IFQ boats when trips extended beyond a single 
day because

[[Page 15159]]

LAGC IFQ boats are compensated 175 lb (79 kg) per trip as opposed to 
175 lb (79 kg) per day.
    Response: The Council chose to compensate the LAGC IFQ fleet for 
carrying observers on a per-trip basis because the majority of LAGC IFQ 
trips are less than one full day. In developing Framework 28, the 
Council's Scallop Advisory Panel did not believe that additional 
compensation was necessary for these trips. However, for fishing year 
2017, LAGC IFQ vessels will be compensated 200 lb (91 kg) per trip to 
help offset the costs of observers.

Changes From Proposed Rule to Final Rule

    We corrected a typographical error at Sec.  648.60(b) to better 
define the Elephant Trunk Flex Scallop Rotational Area, and we included 
changes to the regulatory text at Sec.  648.59(g)(2) to clarify that 
LAGC IFQ vessels may use trawl gear in access areas west of 72[deg]30' 
W. long.

Classification

    Pursuant to section 304(b)(1)(A) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the 
NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this final rule is 
consistent with the FMP, other provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 
the ESA, and other applicable law.
    OMB has determined that this rule is not significant pursuant to 
E.O. 12866.
    This final 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 action does not contain any collection-of-information 
requirements subject the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries has determined that the 
need to implement these measures in an expedited manner, in order to 
help achieve conservation objectives for the scallop fishery and 
certain fish stocks, and to relieve other restrictions on the scallop 
fleet, constitutes good cause, under authority contained in 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(1) and (3), to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness and to 
make Framework 28 final measures effective upon filing for public 
inspection in the Federal Register.
    Framework 28 will implement slightly reduced DAS allocations to the 
limited access fleet and significantly reduced allocation (44 percent) 
to the LAGC IFQ fleet. Ultimately, the scallop industry will be subject 
to these lower allocations. Therefore, delaying the implementation of 
these measures for 30 days would be contrary to the public interest 
because it would cause confusion for the fishing year. In addition, 
these lower allocations were set to reduce F in the fishery and 
implementing them as soon as possible will have conservation benefits 
to the scallop resource.
    Further, this action extends the 50-bushel possession limit of in-
shell scallops for limited access vessels inshore of the DAS 
demarcation line north of 42[deg]20' N. lat., making the restriction 
coastwide. Under current regulations, limited access vessels are able 
to shuck scallops off the DAS clock inside of the demarcation line 
north of 42[deg]20' N. lat. which allows them to skirt possession and 
landing limits. This is an unintended consequence of a provision that 
is no longer relevant to the fishery. Prohibiting this behavior helps 
achieve conservation objectives for the scallop fishery by helping to 
ensure compliance with possession and landing limits.
    Until Framework 28 is fully implemented, certain default measures, 
including access area designations and DAS, IFQ, research set-aside and 
observer set-aside allocations, are automatically put into place. Under 
default measures, each full-time vessel has one 17,000-lb (7,711-kg) 
access area trip in the MAAA. This action, therefore, relieves 
restrictions on the scallop fleet by providing full-time vessels with 
an additional 55,000 lb (24,948 kg) in access area allocation (72,000 
lb (32,659 kg) total) into the MAAA, NLS, CA2, and ETFA, combined. 
Further, the LAGC IFQ fleet will receive an additional 95 trips into 
the MAAA (697 trips total), 697 trips into the ETFA, and 836 trips in 
the NLS.
    Framework 28 could not have been put into place sooner to allow for 
a 30-day delayed effectiveness because the information and data 
necessary for the Council to develop the framework was not available in 
time. Delaying the implementation of Framework 28 for 30 days would 
delay positive economic benefits to the scallop fleet. Therefore, the 
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries has waived the 30-day delayed 
effectiveness requirement to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(1) and (3).
    NMFS, pursuant to section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(RFA), has completed a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) in 
support of Framework 28 in this final rule. The FRFA incorporates the 
IRFA, a summary of the significant issues raised by the public comments 
in response to the IRFA, NMFS responses to those comments, a summary of 
the analyses completed in the Framework 28 EA, and this portion of the 
preamble. A summary of the IRFA was published in the proposed rule for 
this action and is not repeated here. A description of why this action 
was considered, the objectives of, and the legal basis for this rule is 
contained in Framework 28 and in the preamble to the proposed and this 
final rule, and is not repeated here. All of the documents that 
constitute the FRFA are available from NMFS and a copy of the IRFA, the 
Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), and the EA are available upon request 
(see ADDRESSES).

A Summary of the Significant Issues Raised by the Public in Response to 
the IRFA, a Summary of the Agency's Assessment of Such Issues, and a 
Statement of Any Changes Made in the Final Rule as a Result of Such 
Comments

    There were no specific comments on the IRFA. The Comments and 
Responses section summarizes the comments that highlight concerns about 
the economic impacts and implications of impacts on small businesses 
(i.e., comments 3 and 4).

Description and Estimate of Number of Small Entities to Which the Rule 
Would Apply

    The regulations affect all vessels with limited access and LAGC 
scallop permits. The Framework 28 EA provides extensive information on 
the number and size of vessels and small businesses that will be 
affected by the regulations, by port and state (see ADDRESSES). Fishing 
year 2015 data were used for this analysis because these data are the 
most recent complete data set for a fishing year. 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 217 LAGC IFQ permits in 2015, and 119 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.
    The RFA defines a small business in shellfish fishery as a firm 
that is independently owned and operated with receipts of less than $11 
million annually (see NMFS final rule revising the small business size 
standard for commercial fishing, 80 FR 81194, December 29, 2015). 
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 impacted by the final

[[Page 15160]]

rule. 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 2015 permits 
and contains average gross sales associated with those permits for 
calendar years 2013 through 2015. Matching the potentially impacted 
2015 fishing year permits described above (limited access and LAGC IFQ) 
to calendar year 2015 ownership data results in 154 distinct ownership 
entities for the limited access fleet and 87 distinct ownership 
entities for the LAGC IFQ fleet. Of these, and based on the Small 
Business Administration guidelines, 141 of the limited access distinct 
ownership entities and 84 of the LAGC IFQ entities are categorized as 
small. The remaining 13 of the limited access and 3 of the LAGC IFQ 
entities are categorized as large entities, all of which are shellfish 
businesses.

Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements of the Final Rule

    This action contains no new collection-of-information, reporting, 
or recordkeeping requirements.

Description of the Steps the Agency Has Taken To Minimize the 
Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities Consistent With the 
Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes

    During the development of Framework 28, NMFS and the Council 
considered ways to reduce the regulatory burden on, and provide 
flexibility for, the regulated entities in this action. For instance, 
Framework 28 allocates LAGC IFQ access trips that would have been 
allocated in CA2 into NLS, ETFA, and MAAA. Because LAGC vessels are 
smaller in size and operate with a 600-lb (272-kg) possession limit 
this option will reduce fishing costs and have positive impacts on 
their profits. Final actions and alternatives are described in detail 
in Framework 28, which includes an EA, RIR, and IRFA (available at 
ADDRESSES). The measures implemented by this final rule minimize the 
long-term economic impacts on small entities to the extent practicable. 
The only alternatives for the prescribed catch limits that were 
analyzed were those that met the legal requirements to implement 
effective conservation measures. Catch limits are fundamentally a 
scientific calculation based on the Scallop FMP control rules and SSC 
approval, and therefore are legally limited to the numbers contained in 
this rule. Moreover, the limited number of alternatives available for 
this action must be evaluated in the context of an ever-changing 
fishery management plan that has considered numerous alternatives over 
the years and have provided many mitigating measures applicable every 
fishing year.
    Overall, this rule minimizes adverse long-term impacts by ensuring 
that management measures and catch limits result in sustainable fishing 
mortality rates that promote stock rebuilding, and as a result, 
maximize yield. The measures implemented by this final rule also 
provide additional flexibility for fishing operations in the short-
term. This final rule implements measures that enable small entities to 
offset some portion of the estimated economic impacts. For example, 
Framework 28 implements an alternative that allocates the largest 
number of access area trips to the LAGC IFQ fleet compared to other 
alternatives considered under the spatial management option. This 
alternative allows up to 53.8 percent (607 mt) of the total LAGC 
allocation to be harvested from access areas.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: March 22, 2017.
Alan D. Risenhoover,
Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National 
Marine Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR part 648 is to be 
amended as follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEAST 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. In Sec.  648.14:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (i)(1)(viii), (i)(2)(iii)(B), and (i)(2)(vi)(B);
0
b. Add paragraph (i)(2)(vi)(C); and
0
c. Revise paragraphs (i)(3)(v)(E) and (i)(4)(i)(G).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (viii) Scallop research. (A) Fail to comply with any of the 
provisions specified in Sec.  648.56.
    (B) Fish for scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the 
NGOM on a scallop research set-aside compensation trip as described in 
Sec.  648.56(d).
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (B) Fish for, possess, or land more than 50 bu (17.62 hL) of in-
shell scallops inside the VMS Demarcation Line on or by a vessel, 
except as provided in the state waters exemption, as specified in Sec.  
648.54.
* * * * *
    (vi) * * *
    (B) 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 Flex Scallop 
Rotational 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.
    (C) Fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the Elephant 
Trunk Flex Access Area in excess of the vessel's total Elephant Trunk 
Flex Access Area specific allocation as specified in Sec.  
648.59(b)(3)(i)(B)(1)(ii) or the amount permitted to be landed from the 
Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area as allowed under trip exchanges 
specified in Sec.  648.59(b)(3)(ii)(A) and (B).
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (v) * * *
    (E) Transit the Elephant Trunk Flex Scallop Rotational Area, Closed 
Area II Scallop Rotational Area, or the Closed Area II Extension 
Scallop Rotational Area, as defined Sec.  648.60(b), (d), and (e), 
respectively, 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) * * *
    (G) Fish for, possess, or land more than 40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked 
scallops, or 5 bu (1.76 hL) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS 
Demarcation

[[Page 15161]]

Line, or 10 bu (3.52 hL) of in-shell scallops seaward of the VMS 
Demarcation Line, when the vessel is not declared into the IFQ scallop 
fishery, unless the vessel is fishing in compliance with all of the 
requirements of the State waters exemption program, specified at Sec.  
648.54.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  648.52, revise paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.52  Possession and landing limits.

* * * * *
    (e) Owners or operators of vessels issued limited access permits 
are prohibited from fishing for, possessing, or landing per trip more 
than 50 bu (17.6 hl) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS 
Demarcation Line, unless when fishing under the state waters exemption 
specified under Sec.  648.54.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  648.53:
0
a. Revise the section heading, paragraph (a)(3), and the heading of 
paragraph (a)(6);
0
b. Add paragraph (a)(6)(iii); and
0
c. Revise paragraphs (a)(8), (b)(3), the heading of paragraph (h), 
(h)(2) introductory text, and (h)(2)(i).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


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

    (a) * * *
    (3) Overall ABC/ACL and APL--(i) 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.
    (ii) APL. The APL shall be equal to the combined projected landings 
by the limited access and LAGC IFQ fleets in both the open area and 
access areas, after set-asides (RSA and observer) and incidental 
landings are accounted for, for a given fishing year. Projected scallop 
landings are calculated by estimating the landings that will come from 
open and access area effort combined for both limited access and LAGC 
IFQ fleets. These projected landings shall not exceed the overall ABC/
ACL and ACT, as described in paragraph (a) of this section.
* * * * *
    (6) LAGC IFQ fleet sub-ACL, sub-ACT, and annual allocation * * *
* * * * *
    (iii) LAGC IFQ fleet annual allocation. The annual allocation for 
the LAGC IFQ fishery for vessels issued only a LAGC IFQ scallop permit 
shall be equal to 5 percent of the APL. The annual allocation 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 APL.
* * * * *
    (8) The following catch limits will be effective for the 2017 and 
2018 fishing years:

                      Scallop Fishery Catch Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Catch limits                  2017  (mt)    2018  (mt) \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overfishing Limit.......................          75,485          69,678
Acceptable Biological Catch/ACL                   46,737          43,142
 (discards removed).....................
Incidental Catch........................              23              23
Research Set-Aside (RSA)................             567             567
Observer Set-Aside......................             467             431
ACL for fishery.........................          45,680          42,121
Limited Access ACL......................          43,167          39,804
LAGC Total ACL..........................           2,512           2,317
LAGC IFQ ACL (5% of ACL)................           2,284           2,106
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ ACL (0.5%               228             211
 of ACL)................................
Limited Access ACT......................          38,623          35,614
APL.....................................          20,516           (\1\)
Limited Access Projected Landings (94.5%          19,388           (\1\)
 of APL)................................
Total IFQ Annual Allocation (5.5% of               1,129         \2\ 846
 APL)...................................
LAGC IFQ Annual Allocation (5% of APL)..           1,026         \2\ 769
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ Annual                  103          \2\ 77
 Allocation (0.5% of APL)...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The catch limits for the 2018 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. This
  includes the setting of an APL for 2018 that will be based on the 2017
  annual scallop surveys. The 2018 default allocations for the limited
  access component are defined for DAS in paragraph (b)(3) of this
  section and for access areas in Sec.   648.59(b)(3)(i)(B).
\2\ As a precautionary measure, the 2018 IFQ annual allocations are set
  at 75% of the 2017 IFQ Annual Allocations.

    (b) * * *
    (3) The DAS allocations for limited access scallop vessels for 
fishing years 2017 and 2018 are as follows:

                    Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Permit category                   2017          2018 \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time...............................           30.41           21.75
Part-Time...............................           12.16            8.69

[[Page 15162]]

 
Occasional..............................            2.54            1.91
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The DAS allocations for the 2018 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. The
  2018 DAS allocations are set at 75% of the 2017 allocation as a
  precautionary measure.

* * * * *
    (h) Annual IFQs * * *
* * * * *
    (2) Calculation of IFQ. The LAGC IFQ fleet annual allocation as 
defined in paragraph (a)(6)(iii) 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) IFQ. 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 LAGC IFQ fleet annual 
allocation as defined in paragraph (a)(6)(iii) of this section.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  648.59:
0
a. Revise paragraphs (a)(2) and (3), (b)(3)(i)(B), (b)(3)(ii), (e), and 
(g)(2);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraph (g)(3)(iv); and
0
c. Revise paragraph (g)(3)(v).
    The additions and revisions read as follows:


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

    (a) * * *
    (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 
Elephant Trunk Flex Scallop Rotational Area, the Closed Area II Scallop 
Rotational Area, or the Closed Area II Extension Scallop Rotational 
Area, as defined Sec.  648.60(b), (d), and (e), respectively, 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 Elephant Trunk Flex Scallop Rotational 
Area, Closed Area II Scallop Rotational Area, or the Closed Area II 
Extension Scallop Rotational Area, as defined in Sec.  648.60(b), (d), 
and (e), respectively, 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.
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) The following access area allocations and possession limits for 
limited access vessels shall be effective for the 2017 and 2018 fishing 
years:
    (1) Full-time vessels--(i) For a full-time limited access vessel, 
the possession limit and allocations are:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Scallop possession        2017 Scallop
    Rotational access area              limit                allocation       2018 Scallop allocation  (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area 2.................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)   18,000 lb (8,165 kg).  0 lb (0 kg).
                                 per trip.
Nantucket Lightship...........  .....................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).  0 lb (0 kg).
Mid-Atlantic..................  .....................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
Elephant Trunk Flex...........  .....................  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)   0 lb (0 kg).
                                                        \1\.
                                                      ----------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................  .....................  72,000 lb (32,660 kg)  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area allocation can be landed from either the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area or
  the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as described in paragraph (B)(1)(ii) of this section.

    (ii) Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area allocations. Subject to the 
seasonal restriction specified in Sec.  648.60(b)(2), for the 2017 
fishing year only, a full-time vessel may choose to land up to 18,000 
lb (8,165 kg) of the Mid-Atlantic Rotational Access Area allocation 
from the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area, which shall be known as an 
Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area allocation. For example, Vessel A could 
take a trip in to the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area and land 18,000 
lb (8,165 kg) from that area on one trip, leaving the vessel with 
18,000 lb (8,165 kg) of the Mid-Atlantic Rotational Access Area 
allocation; or, alternatively, the vessel could take a trip in to the 
Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area and land 15,000 lb (6,804 kg), leaving 
the vessel with 21,000 lb (9,525 kg) of Mid-Atlantic Access Area 
allocation, and, 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) of flex allocation which could be 
landed from the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area on another trip, 
provided the 18,000 lb possession limit is not exceeded on any one 
trip.
    (iii) For the 2018 fishing year, full-time limited access vessels 
are allocated 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area only 
with a trip possession limit of 18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
    (2) Part-time vessels. (i) For the 2017 fishing year only, a part-
time limited access vessel is allocated a total of 28,800 lb (13,064 
kg) of scallops with a trip possession limit of 14,400 lb of scallops 
per trip (6,532 kg per trip). Of

[[Page 15163]]

the 28,800-lb (13,064-kg) allocation, 14,400 lb (6,532 kg) are 
allocated exclusively to the Mid-Atlantic Access Area. The remaining 
14,400 lb (6,532 kg) can be landed either from the Mid-Atlantic Access 
Area or any one other available access area (Closed Area 2, Nantucket 
Lightship, or Elephant Trunk Flex Access Areas). However, if a vessel 
chooses to land the remaining 14,400 lb (6,532 kg) from the Elephant 
Trunk Flex Access Area and does not land up to the full allocation on a 
trip, it may only land the remaining pounds either from the Elephant 
Trunk Flex Access Areas or the Mid-Atlantic Access Area.
    (ii) For the 2018 fishing year, part-time limited access vessels 
are allocated 14,400 lb (6,532 kg) of scallops in the Mid-Atlantic 
Access Area only with a trip possession limit of 14,400 lb of scallops 
per trip (6,532 kg per trip).
    (3) Occasional vessels. (i) For the 2017 fishing year only, an 
occasional limited access vessel is allocated 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) of 
scallops with a trip possession limit at 6,000 lb of scallops per trip 
(2,722 kg per trip). Occasional vessels may harvest the 6,000 lb (2,722 
kg) allocation from only one available access area (Closed Area 2, 
Nantucket Lightship, Mid-Atlantic, or Elephant Trunk Flex Access 
Areas).
    (ii) For the 2018 fishing year, occasional limited access vessels 
are allocated 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) of scallops in the Mid-Atlantic 
Access Area only with a trip possession limit of 6,000 lb of scallops 
per trip (2,722 kg per trip).
    (ii) Limited access vessels' one-for-one area access allocation 
exchanges. (A) 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 18,000 lb (8,165 kg), a 
full-time vessel may exchange no more or less than 18,000 lb (8,165 
kg), from one access area for no more or less than 18,000 lb (8,165 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.
    (B) Flex allocation exchanges. In fishing year 2017, each limited 
access full-time vessel is allocated 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) that may be 
landed from either the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area or the Mid-
Atlantic Access Area (flex allocation). Such flex allocation may be 
exchanged in full only for another access area allocation, but only the 
flex allocation may be landed from the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area. 
For example, if a Vessel A exchanges 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) of flex 
allocation for 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) of Mid-Atlantic Access Area 
allocation with Vessel B, Vessel A would no longer be allowed to land 
allocation from the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area based on its Mid-
Atlantic Access Area allocation, but Vessel B could land up to 36,000 
lb (16,330 kg) from the Elephant Trunk Flex Access Area and/or the Mid-
Atlantic Access Area, combined.
* * * * *
    (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. The 
access areas open for RSA harvest for fishing years 2017 and 2018 are:
    (1) 2017: Mid-Atlantic Access Area.
    (2) 2018: No access areas.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (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 that lay east of 72[deg]30' W. lat. 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 these 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) * * *
    (v) The following LAGC IFQ access area allocations will be 
effective for the 2017 and 2018 fishing years:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   2018
                  Scallop access area                     2017     \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic..........................................      697      558
Elephant Trunk Flex...................................      697        0
Nantucket Lightship...................................      837        0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The LAGC IFQ access area trip allocations for the 2018 fishing year
  are subject to change through a future specifications action or
  framework adjustment.

* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  648.60, revise paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.60  Sea Scallop Rotational Areas.

* * * * *
    (b) Elephant Trunk Flex Scallop Rotational Area. (1) The Elephant 
Trunk Flex 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETFA 1...........................  38[deg]50' N.       74[deg]20' W.
ETFA 2...........................  38[deg]50' N.       73[deg]40' W.
ETFA 3...........................  38[deg]40' N.       73[deg]40' W.
ETFA 4...........................  38[deg]40' N.       73[deg]50' W.
ETFA 5...........................  38[deg]30' N.       73[deg]50' W.
ETFA 6...........................  38[deg]30' N.       74[deg]20' W.
ETFA 1...........................  38[deg]50' N.       74[deg]20' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Elephant 
Trunk Flex Scallop Rotational Area, defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this 
section, during the period of July 1 through September 30 of each year 
the Elephant Trunk Flex Scallop Rotational Area is open to scallop 
vessels, unless transiting pursuant to Sec.  648.59(a).
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  648.62, revise paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:

[[Page 15164]]

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

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) NGOM annual hard TACs. The annual hard TAC for the NGOM is 
73,371 lb (33,281 kg) for the 2017 fishing year and 95,000 lb (43,091 
kg) for the 2018 fishing year.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2017-06002 Filed 3-23-17; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P