Government Guards Baby Scallops with New Fishing Rules for 2025
Published Date: 3/18/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Fishermen who catch Atlantic sea scallops will see new rules for 2025 and 2026 that change when and where they can fish to protect young scallops and reduce unwanted catch. Some boats get more freedom to travel with scallops onboard, and research rules get clearer. These changes aim to keep scallop populations healthy and fishing fair, with comments open until April 2, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 6 costs, 1 mixed.
New 2025–2026 Catch Limits and Revenue Effect
The Council proposes Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) of 39.5 million lb (17,901 mt) for 2025 and 39.1 million lb (17,745 mt) for 2026. NMFS estimates projected landings would fall about 7.64 million lb (3,465 mt) in 2025 versus 2024, reducing fleetwide revenue by about $35.7 million (2024 dollars) compared to 2024, but increasing projected revenue by $180.8 million compared to the 2025 default measures.
New Open-Area Days-at-Sea (DAS) Allocations
For 2025, full-time limited access vessels would receive 24 open-area DAS, part-time 9.6 DAS, and occasional 2.0 DAS. 2026 default DAS are set at 75 percent of 2025 (full-time 18, part-time 7.2, occasional 1.5); if Framework 39 is not implemented by April 1, 2025, lower default DAS (full-time 15, part-time 6, occasional 1.25) would apply.
Closure of Two Rotational Areas
Framework 39 would close Nantucket Lightship-North and Nantucket Lightship-South and the Elephant Trunk rotational area for the 2025 fishing year to protect small/young scallops. These closures are intended to let juveniles grow and reduce incidental mortality.
Area I and II Reopened and Area I Combined
Area II would remain open for the 2025 fishing year and its boundary expands to include Closed Area II Extension; Area I (combining Area I, Area I-Sliver, and Area I-Quad) would be opened as a Rotational Access Area for 2025. These changes make those access areas available for rotational fishing in 2025.
Seasonal Delays and Bycatch Closure Dates
Area I and Area II access areas would be closed annually from April 1 through May 14 and would re-open May 15 each fishing year. Separately, Area II would be closed annually to directed scallop fishing from November 15 through May 15 to reduce bycatch of windowpane and yellowtail flounder and to target higher-yield months.
Full-Time Vessel Trip Limits and Exchange Rules
Full-time limited access vessels would have per-trip possession limits of 12,000 lb for Area I and 12,000 lb for Area II and a total 2025 projected access-area allocation of 24,000 lb. Full-time vessels may exchange access-area allocation in 6,000-lb (2,722-kg) increments with other full-time vessels (exchanges only between same permit category). Part-time full allocations are 9,600 lb (fishable in Area I or II).
Research and Observer Set-Asides Deducted from ABC
Framework 39 would deduct a Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) of 1.275 million lb (578 mt) annually for 2025 and 2026 to fund scallop research; up to 625,000 lb (283.5 mt) of the 2025 RSA may be harvested from access areas. It also deducts an industry-funded observer set-aside equal to 1 percent of ABC: 394,627 lb (179 mt) for 2025 and 390,218 lb (177 mt) for 2026. Regulatory text clarifies that vessels harvesting RSA pounds cannot also harvest commercial pounds on the same trip.
LAGC IFQ ACLs, IFQ Annual Allocations, and Trips
For 2025, LAGC IFQ ACL would be 1.854 million lb (841 mt) and a default 1.845 million lb (837 mt) for 2026. The annual IFQ allocation to IFQ-only vessels would be 901,691 lb (409 mt) for 2025 and set at 75 percent (676,819 lb; 307 mt) for 2026 as a precaution. Framework 39 would allocate 571 LAGC IFQ access-area trips for 2025 and specify 0 default access-area trips for 2026.
Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Landing Limits
Framework 39 sets the NGOM total allowable landings (TAL) at 712,093 lb (323,000 kg) for 2025 and a default 534,070 lb (242,250 kg) for 2026. It sets an NGOM Set-Aside of 675,563 lb (306,430 kg) for 2025 and 506,672 lb (229,823 kg) for 2026; because the set-aside is below the 800,000-lb trigger, no NGOM APL is allocated.
LAGC Category B Transit With Scallops Allowed
Framework 39 would allow vessels issued a limited access general category (LAGC) Category B permit to possess scallops and transit, with gear stowed, outside of the NGOM scallop management area. LAGC Category B vessels fishing in the NGOM would still be limited to no more than 1,666 lb (756 kg) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS demarcation line.
Incidental Scallop Landings Target Set
Framework 39 proposes a 50,000-lb (22,680-kg) incidental scallop landings target TAL for each fishing year (2025 and 2026) to account for mortality from vessels catching scallops incidentally while fishing for other species.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-20268, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on October 16, 2026, to discuss important fishery rules that affect fishermen and communities in New England’s waters. They’ll review advice from experts about protecting fish species and plan meetings for next year. This meeting could lead to new fishing rules that impact how and when people fish, helping keep the ocean healthy and fishing sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04125, Wireless Emergency Alerts; Emergency Alert System
The FCC wants to give people more control over Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on their phones, like the option to silence some alerts. They’re also asking for ideas on how to make these alerts better so fewer people turn them off. If you care about how emergency messages reach you, speak up by April 17, 2025!
Next: 2025-04411, Television Broadcasting Services Portland, Oregon
Gray Television, which runs KPTV in Portland, asked to switch back from channel 21 to channel 12 because they can’t finish building the new channel by the deadline. The FCC is considering this change so KPTV can keep broadcasting without interruption. People have until April 17, 2025, to share their thoughts, and this switch won’t cost viewers extra.