NOAA Renews Scallop Catch Paperwork Ritual
Published Date: 4/24/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is renewing its info collection for managing the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery, affecting about 800 fishermen and businesses. They’re keeping rules that track scallop catches, fishing trips, and quota trades to protect the ocean and keep fishing fair. This renewal asks for public comments for 30 more days and won’t add new costs but helps keep the fishery running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Sector proposals require large planning burden
Groups that want a sector allocation must submit a Sector Allocation Proposal at least 1 year before implementation and a legally binding Operations Plan signed by all sector members; preparing Sector Proposals and Operations Plans averages 250 hours per response. If approved, the Operations Plan becomes a contract governing how the sector operates.
Renewal continues reporting burdens
NOAA is renewing the information collection for the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery that affects 804 respondents and totals 980 annual burden hours. This renewal keeps required reporting for catches, trips, quota trades, and related paperwork in place without changing the underlying rules.
Annual IFQ cost recovery fee (up to 3%)
IFQ permit holders must pay an annual cost recovery fee of up to 3% of the ex-vessel value of landed scallops to cover management and enforcement costs. Payments must be submitted annually through the Federal payment system at www.pay.gov, which requires creating an online account with personal and financial information.
Optional IFQ transfers let quota be leased or sold
IFQ permit holders may temporarily or permanently transfer individual fishing quota between vessels by submitting transfer applications that include vessel and transfer details and signatures from both parties. The IFQ transfer program is optional and lets permit holders increase a vessel's quota or lease/sell quota if they choose not to fish it.
Access area trip exchanges reduce potential revenue loss
Vessels can use the one-for-one access area trip exchange program to swap trips and change where they may fish by submitting exchange applications with vessel name, permit number, owner signature, and area specifications; both vessels must submit forms for cross verification. Each trip exchange request takes about 15 minutes to submit.
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Key Dates
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