Scallop Fishery Gets 2025 Rules to Save Young Clams
Published Date: 4/21/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting in 2025, new rules for Atlantic sea scallop fishing will help protect young scallops and make fishing smarter. Fishermen with certain permits get more flexibility, and some areas will open or close at better times to keep scallops safe and plentiful. These changes aim to stop overfishing and keep the scallop fishery healthy for years to come.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Measures to prevent overfishing and improve yield
The action is implemented to prevent overfishing and to improve resource yield-per-recruit and overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery for fishing years 2025 and 2026, beginning in 2025. The rule states these measures are necessary to sustain the fishery.
Fishing effort allocation for 2025–2026
For the 2025 and 2026 fishing years, the rule establishes specifications and management measures that allocate fishing effort into designated access areas. These allocations will apply starting in 2025 and change where and how effort is distributed among scallop fishing areas.
Timing changes to area openings and closures
The rule modifies when scallop fishing areas open and closes certain areas to protect juvenile scallops and to minimize bycatch, with these measures applying in fishing years 2025 and 2026. The timing changes are intended to optimize yield and protect young scallops.
Transit allowance for General Category B vessels
Vessels holding a limited access general category B permit are allowed to transit outside of the Northern Gulf of Maine with scallops onboard. This change in transit rules takes effect beginning in 2025 as part of the Framework Adjustment 39 measures.
Research set-aside regulations clarified
The Framework clarifies regulations for the research set-aside (RSA) program as part of the 2025–2026 specifications. These clarifications affect how research allocations tied to the scallop fishery are administered.
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