New England Fishery Council Meets to Plan Scallop Rules for 2027-2028
Published Date: 8/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on September 9, 2026, to plan fishing rules for scallops in 2027 and 2028. Fishermen and seafood businesses will see updates on catch limits, fishing days, and special zones to keep scallop populations healthy. This meeting helps set the rules that balance fishing fun and ocean care, with no immediate cost changes announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
Scallop Catch Limits (ABC/ACL)
If you are a scallop fisherman or seafood business, the Council will consider setting Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and Annual Catch Limits (ACL) for fishing year 2027 and default specifications for 2028 based on 2026 scallop survey results and preliminary projections. The advisory panels meet on September 9, 2026 and their recommendations can be sent to the full Council for formal action.
Days-at-Sea Rules for 2027
If you operate a scallop vessel, the Council will consider setting days-at-sea (DAS) for fishing year 2027 and default DAS for 2028 during the September 9, 2026 meeting. Changes to DAS affect how many days you may fish, which can change your available fishing effort and income.
NGOM Landings and Access Allocations
If you fish in the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) management area, the Council will consider total allowable landings and access area allocations for fishing year 2027 and default specifications for 2028 based on 2026 survey results. These allocations determine how much scallop catch is assigned to areas and who can fish there.
General Category Incidental Catch Rules
If you fish as part of the General Category, the Council will discuss targets for incidental catch, access area trips, and trip accounting for fishing year 2027 and default 2028 at the September 9, 2026 meeting. These targets affect permitted incidental scallop catch and how trips are counted and tracked.
Framework 42: Area Definitions & DAS Delineation
The Council will discuss Framework 42 measures to delineate Georges Bank and Mid-Atlantic days-at-sea and to define sub-management areas in the Northern Gulf of Maine during the September 9, 2026 meeting. Changes to area definitions and DAS delineation can change where and when you may fish in these regions.
Observer and Research Program Set-Asides
The Council will consider set-asides for observer and research programs for fishing year 2027 and default specifications for 2028 at the September 9, 2026 meeting. Set-asides reserve some allowable catch for monitoring and research purposes, which can reduce catch available for commercial harvest.
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