Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery and Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 26; Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Sea Turtle Conservation, 22119-22135 [2015-09199]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 76 (Tuesday, April 21, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22119-22135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09199]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Parts 223 and 648

[Docket No. 141125999-5362-02]
RIN 0648-BE68


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop 
Fishery and Northeast Multispecies Fishery; Framework Adjustment 26; 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; Sea Turtle Conservation

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS approves and implements through regulations the measures 
included in Framework Adjustment 26 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 26 
is to prevent overfishing, improve yield-per-recruit, and improve the 
overall management of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. Framework 26 
sets fishing specifications for 2015, including catch limits, days-at-
sea allocations, individual fishing quotas, and sea scallop access area 
trip allocations. In addition, Framework 26 closes a portion of the 
Elephant Trunk Access Area and extends the boundaries of the Nantucket 
Lightship Access Area to protect small scallops, adjusts the State 
Waters Exemption Program, allows for Vessel Monitoring System 
declaration changes for vessels to steam home with product on board, 
implements a proactive accountability measure to protect windowpane 
flounder and yellowtail flounder, aligns two gear measures designed to 
protect sea turtles, and implements other measures to improve the 
management of the scallop fishery. Aligning the gear measures designed 
to protect sea turtles involves modifying existing regulations 
implemented under the Endangered Species Act; therefore, this action is 
implemented under joint authority of the Endangered Species Act and the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

DATES: Effective May 1, 2015, except for the amendment to Sec.  
648.51(b)(4)(iv), which will be effective May 21, 2015.

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 https://www.nefmc.org/scallops/ or https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/regs/2015/March/15scalfw26turtlepr.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 https://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 26 on November 20, 2014, and 
submitted it to NMFS on February 17, 2015, for review and approval. 
Framework 26 specifies measures for fishing year 2015, but includes 
fishing year 2016 measures that will go into place as a default, should 
the next specifications-setting framework be delayed beyond the start 
of fishing year 2016. Fishing year 2015 default allocations have been 
in place since March 1, 2015, and allow for only 17 DAS and zero access 
area trips. The default measures are replaced by the higher Framework 
26 allocations described below. 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), 
and Set-Asides for the 2015 Fishing Year and Default Specifications for 
Fishing Year 2016

    The allocations incorporate new biomass reference points that 
resulted from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's most recent 
scallop stock benchmark assessment that was completed in July 2014. The 
assessment reviewed and updated the data and models used to assess the 
scallop stock and ultimately updated the reference points for status 
determinations. A comparison of the old and new reference points is 
outlined in Table 1.

 Table 1--Summary of Old and New Scallop Reference Points From the Last
        Two Benchmark Scallop Stock Assessments in 2010 and 2014
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    2010 Assessment     2014 Assessment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fishing Mortality at Maximum      0.38..............  0.48.
 Sustainable Yield (Fmsy).
Biomass at Maximum Sustainable    125,000 mt........  96,480 mt.
 Yield (Bmsy).

[[Page 22120]]

 
\1/2\ Bmsy......................  62,000 mt.........  48,240 mt.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Due to these reference point updates, we are updating the fishing 
mortality rates that the Council uses to set OFL, ABC, and ACL through 
this action. The Council set OFL based on an F of 0.48, equivalent to 
the F threshold updated through the 2014 assessment. The Council set 
ABC and the equivalent total ACL for each fishing year using an F of 
0.38, which is the F associated with a 25-percent probability of 
exceeding the OFL. The Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee 
recommended scallop fishery ABCs for the 2015 and 2016 fishing years of 
55.9 million lb (25,352 mt) and 70.1 million lb (31,807 mt), 
respectively, after accounting for discards and incidental mortality. 
The Scientific and Statistical Committee will reevaluate an ABC for 
2016 when the Council develops the next framework adjustment. Table 2 
outlines the scallop fishery catch limits derived from the ABC values.

  Table 2--Scallop Catch Limits for Fishing Years 2015 and 2016 for the
  Limited Access and Limited Access General Category (LAGC) Individual
                       Fishing Quota (IFQ) Fleets
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         2015                2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overfishing Limit...............  38,061 mt.........  45,456 mt.
ABC/ACL w/ discards removed.....  25,352 mt.........  31,807 mt.
Incidental Total Allowable Catch  22.7 mt...........  22.7 mt.
 (TAC).
Research Set-Aside (RSA)........  567 mt............  567 mt.
Observer Set-aside (1 percent of  254 mt............  318 mt.
 ABC/ACL).
Limited Access sub-ACL (94.5      23,161 mt.........  29,200 mt.
 percent of total ACL, after
 deducting set-asides and
 incidental catch).
Limited Access sub-ACT (adjusted  19,311 mt.........  23,016 mt.
 for management uncertainty).
LAGC IFQ sub-ACL (5.0 percent of  1,225 mt..........  1,545 mt.
 total ACL, after deducting set-
 asides and incidental catch).
LAGC IFQ sub-ACL for vessels      123 mt............  154 mt.
 with limited access scallop
 permits (0.5 percent of total
 ACL, after deducting set-asides
 and incidental catch).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This action deducts 567 mt of scallops annually for 2015 and 2016 
from the ABC and sets it aside as the Scallop research set-aside (RSA) 
to fund scallop research and to compensate participating vessels 
through the sale of scallops harvested under RSA projects. Framework 26 
allows RSA to be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area that is 
opened for 2015, once this action is approved and implemented, but 
would prevent RSA harvesting from access areas under 2016 default 
measures. Of this 1.25 M lb (567 mt) allocation, NMFS has already 
allocated 397,470 lb (180.3 mt) to previously funded multi-year 
projects as part of the 2014 RSA awards process. NMFS reviewed 
proposals submitted for consideration of 2015 RSA awards and will be 
selecting projects for funding in the near future.
    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 2015 and 
2016 are 254 mt and 318 mt, respectively. In fishing year 2015, the 
compensation rates for limited access vessels in open areas fishing 
under days-at-sea (DAS) is 0.08 DAS per DAS fished, and for access area 
trips the compensation rate is 150 lb, 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 150 lb 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 2016 observer set-aside may be 
adjusted by the Council when it develops specific, non-default measures 
for 2016.

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 2015 and 2016 (Table 3). Fishing 
year 2015 DAS allocations are almost identical to those allocated to 
the limited access fleet in 2014 (31 DAS for full-time, 12 DAS for 
part-time, and 3 DAS for occasional vessels). Fishing year 2016 DAS 
allocations are precautionary, and are set at 75 percent of what 
current biomass projections indicate could be allocated to each limited 
access scallop vessel for the entire fishing year. This is to avoid 
over-allocating DAS to the fleet in the event that the framework that 
would set those allocations is delayed past the start of the 2016 
fishing year. The allocations in Table 3 exclude any DAS deductions 
that are required if the limited access scallop fleet exceeded its 2014 
sub-ACL. The DAS values in Table 3 take into account a slight DAS 
reduction (0.14 DAS) to account for vessels steaming to southern ports 
while not accruing DAS (See Adjustment to Vessel Monitoring System 
(VMS) Declaration Procedures for Some Open Area Trips). In addition, 
the Council requested that DAS allocations now be specified to the 
hundredth decimal place, rather than rounding up or down to whole DAS. 
This is consistent with DAS accounting as vessels use DAS throughout 
the year. Table 3 also includes 2015 Default DAS that are replaced by 
the 2015 DAS.

[[Page 22121]]



                          Table 3--Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations for 2015 and 2016
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                         Permit category                           Default 2015        2015            2016
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Full-Time.......................................................              17           30.86           26.00
Part-Time.......................................................               7           12.94           10.40
Occasional *....................................................               1            2.58            2.17
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* Note: There are no occasional vessels currently.

LA Allocations and Trip Possession Limits for Scallop Access Areas

    For fishing year 2015 and the start of 2016, Framework 26 closes 
all three Georges Bank Access Areas (i.e., Nantucket Lightship (NLS), 
Closed Area 1, and Closed Area 2 Access Areas) and opens all three Mid-
Atlantic Access Areas (i.e., Elephant Trunk, Delmarva, and Hudson 
Canyon Access Areas combined). This action extends the boundaries of 
the NLS Access Area that will be closed to the scallop fleet to include 
a concentration of small scallops near the existing boundary along the 
southeast corner, currently considered part of the open area. Opening 
this NLS extended closure area, which increases the NLS Access Area 
boundary by 158 square miles (409 square km), will be reconsidered in a 
future framework action when the scallops are larger and ready for 
harvest.
    This action opens all three Mid-Atlantic access areas to both the 
limited access and LAGC IFQ fleet, and treats the three areas as one 
single area. This is named the Mid-Atlantic Access Area under this 
action. Scallop vessels are able to fish across all three areas in a 
single access area trip, except in one area within the Mid-Atlantic 
Access Area that is closed to scallop fishing. This area is seven 10-
minute squares (i.e., 548 square nautical miles, 1419 square km) in the 
northwest corner of the Elephant Trunk Access Area, and is closed to 
protect small scallops. This area constitutes roughly 35 percent of the 
current Elephant Trunk Access Area. The closure allows for the small 
concentrations of scallops in this portion of the access area to be 
protected as they grow to a more harvestable size. This action 
prohibits transiting across this small area due to its small size and 
because the incentive to fish in the area is relatively high due to the 
high abundance of scallops.
    Table 4 outlines the limited access allocations that can be fished 
from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area. Vessels can take this allocation in 
as many trips as needed, so long as vessels do not exceed the trip 
possession limits (also in Table 4). These access area allocations for 
2015 represent a 112-percent increase in access area allocations 
compared to 2014.

         Table 4--Scallop Access Area Poundage Allocations and Trip Possession Limits for 2015 and 2016
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           Permit category                Possession limits         2015 Allocation          2016 Allocation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time...........................  17,000 lb (7,711 kg)....  51,000 lb (23,133 kg)..  17,000 lb (7,711 kg).
Part-Time...........................  10,200 lb ( 4,627 kg)...  20,400 lb ( 9,253 kg)..  10,200 lb (4,627 kg).
Occasional *........................  1,420 lb (644 kg).......  4,250 lb ( 1,928 kg)...  1,420 lb ( 644 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Note: There are no occasional vessels currently.

    This action also modifies access area trip reporting procedures by 
requiring that each limited access vessel submit a pre-landing 
notification form through its VMS unit prior to returning to port at 
the end of each access area trip, including trips where no scallops are 
landed. These pre-landing notifications replace the current broken trip 
and compensation trip procedures. Vessels are no longer required to 
submit a broken trip notification form if they are unable to land their 
full possession limits on an access area trip. Vessels also no longer 
need to apply to NMFS to receive, or wait for NMFS to issue, a 
compensation trip to fish their remaining access area scallop 
allocation.
    For example, under Framework 26 access area allocations, a full-
time vessel receives 51,000 lb (23,133 kg) in the Mid-Atlantic Access 
Area. That allocation can be landed on as many or as few trips as 
needed, so long as the 17,000-lb (7,711-kg) possession limit is not 
exceeded on any one trip. The vessel may choose to fish its full 
allocation over the course of three trips, landing the maximum 
allowance of 17,000 lb (7,711 kg) on each trip, or it can choose to 
fish its full allocation over the course of two, three, or more trips, 
landing less than the trip possession limit on each trip. Regardless, 
the vessel must submit a pre-landing notification form prior to 
returning to port for each access area trip, but does not have to wait 
for NMFS to issue a compensation trip prior to starting its next access 
area trip.
    Under this action, each vessel automatically carries over 
unharvested access area allocation that the vessel can fish in the 
first 60 days of the subsequent fishing year, as long as the access 
area is open for scallop fishing during that time. This change results 
in little change to the amount of carryover NMFS expects from year to 
year because most vessels with unharvested access area pounds took 
advantage of the broken trip provisions. Also, Framework 26 accounts 
for the uncertainty associated with carryover by setting the limited 
access fishery's ACT lower than the fishery's ACL. The ACT is meant to 
prevent carryover from causing the fleet to exceed an ACL.
    Although vessel owners are ultimately responsible for tracking 
their own scallop access area landings and ensuring they do not exceed 
their annual allocations, NMFS will match dealer-reported scallop 
landing records with access area trip declarations and make that 
information available on the web-based allocation monitoring tool, 
Fish-On-Line, which each vessel owner can access and review.

Adjustment to VMS Declaration Procedures for Some Open Area Trips

    This action enables a vessel to declare out of a DAS trip at or 
south of Cape May, NJ (specifically, at or south of 39[deg] N. lat.), 
once it goes inside the VMS demarcation line, and then, with scallops 
on board, steam seaward of the VMS demarcation line to ports south of 
Cape May, NJ, without being charged DAS. This measure does not apply to 
vessels that intend to land scallops in ports north of Cape May, NJ. 
Once this change in declaration to ``declare out of

[[Page 22122]]

fishery'' has been made, vessels are required to submit a scallop pre-
landing notification form through VMS, return directly to port and 
offload scallops immediately, and stow all gear. In addition, such 
vessels are prohibited from having on board any in-shell scallops. The 
purpose of the is measure is to provide an incentive for vessels to 
land scallops in the fishery's southern-most ports by reducing some of 
the steaming time to return from more distant and heavily fished 
fishing grounds.
    Because this change in when some vessels may ``clock out'' of their 
DAS could impact overall DAS allocations to the fleet, this action also 
reduces the overall DAS allocated to each limited access scallop 
vessel. The DAS adjustment (which has already been calculated into the 
DAS allocations proposed in Table 3) is a decrease of 0.14 DAS for 
full-time vessels and 0.06 DAS for part-time vessels. This measure, 
including the appropriate DAS deductions, was supported by the 
Council's Advisory Panel.

Additional Access Area Measures To Reduce Impacts on Small Scallops

    1. Crew Limit Restrictions in Access Areas. This action implements 
crew limits for all access areas. In an effort to protect small 
scallops and discourage vessels from high-grading (discarding smaller 
scallops in exchange for larger ones), Framework 26 imposes a crew 
limit of eight individuals per limited access vessel, including the 
captain, when fishing in any scallop access area. If a vessel is 
participating in the small dredge program, it may not have more than 
six people on board, including the captain, on an access area trip. 
These crew limits may be reevaluated in a future framework action.
    2. Delayed Harvesting of Default 2016 Mid-Atlantic Access Area 
Allocations. Although the Framework includes precautionary access area 
allocations for the 2016 fishing year (see 2016 allocations in Table 
4), vessels have to wait to fish these allocations until April 1, 2016. 
This precautionary measure is designed to protect scallops when scallop 
meat weights are lower than other times of the year (generally, this 
change in meat-weight is a physiological change in scallops due to 
spawning). However, if a vessel has not fully harvested its 2015 
scallop access area allocation in fishing year 2015, it may still fish 
the remainder of its allocation in the first 60 days of 2016 (i.e., 
March 1, 2016, through April 29, 2016).
    3. 2016 RSA Harvest Restrictions. This action prohibits vessels 
participating in RSA projects from harvesting RSA in the Mid-Atlantic 
Access Area under default 2016 measures. At the start of 2016, RSA can 
only be harvested from open areas. This will be re-evaluated for the 
remainder of 2016 in the framework action that would set final 2016 
specifications.

LAGC Measures

    1. Sub-ACL for LAGC vessels with IFQ permits. For LAGC vessels with 
IFQ permits, this action implements a 1,225-mt ACL for 2015 and an 
initial ACL of 1,545 mt for 2016 (Table 2). We calculate IFQ 
allocations by applying each vessel's IFQ contribution percentage to 
these ACLs. These allocations assume that no LAGC IFQ AMs are 
triggered. If a vessel exceeds its IFQ in a given fishing year, its IFQ 
for the subsequent fishing year would be reduced by the amount of the 
overage.
    Because Framework 26 is being implemented after the March 1 start 
of fishing year 2015, the default 2015 IFQ allocations went into place 
automatically on March 1, 2015. This action increases the current 
vessel IFQ allocations. NMFS sent a letter to IFQ permit holders 
providing both March 1, 2015, IFQ allocations and Framework 26 IFQ 
allocations so that vessel owners know what mid-year adjustments will 
occur now that Framework 26 is approved.
    2. Sub-ACL for Limited Access Scallop Vessels with IFQ Permits. For 
limited access scallop vessels with IFQ permits, this action implements 
a 123-mt ACL for 2015, and an initial 154-mt ACL for 2016 (Table 2). We 
calculate IFQ allocations by applying each vessel's IFQ contribution 
percentage to these ACLs. These allocations assume that no LAGC IFQ 
accountability measures (AMs) are triggered. If a vessel exceeds its 
IFQ in a given fishing year, its IFQ for the subsequent fishing year 
will be reduced by the amount of the overage.
    3. LAGC IFQ Trip Allocations and Possession Limits for Scallop 
Access Areas. Framework 26 allocates the LAGC IFQ vessels a fleetwide 
number of trips that can be taken in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area. 
Framework 26 allocates 2,065 and 602 trips in 2015 and 2016, 
respectively, to this area. Under default 2016 measures, LAGC IFQ 
vessels must wait to fish these trips until April 1, 2016.
    These trip allocations are equivalent to the overall proportion of 
total catch from access areas compared to total catch. For example, the 
total projected catch for the scallop fishery in 2015 is 20,865 mt, and 
8,700 mt are projected to come from access areas, roughly 41.7 percent. 
If the same proportion is applied to total LAGC IFQ catch, the total 
allocation to LAGC IFQ vessels from access areas would be about 600 mt, 
roughly 44.5 percent of the total LAGC IFQ sub-ACL for 2015 (1,348 mt).
    4. Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) TAC. This action allocates a 
70,000-lb (31,751-kg) annual NGOM TAC for fishing years 2015 and 2016. 
The allocation for 2015 assumes that there are no overages in 2014, 
which would trigger a pound-for-pound deduction in 2015 to account for 
the overage.
    5. Scallop Incidental Catch Target TAC. This action allocates a 
50,000-lb (22,680-kg) scallop incidental catch target TAC for fishing 
years 2015 and 2016 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.

Adjustments to Gear Modifications To Protect Sea Turtles

    This action adjusts season regulations for the sea turtle deflector 
dredge (TDD) and area regulations for the sea turtle chain mat to make 
them consistent by moving the chain mat requirement line to 71[deg] W. 
long. and changing the end of the TDD season from October to November. 
By making the area and season for these two gear modifications 
consistent, west of 71[deg] W. long. from May through November, the 
conservation benefit of the current chain mat and TDD requirements is 
maintained, while reducing the regulatory complexity of differing 
seasons and areas. Any reduction in the size of the area in which chain 
mats would be required is balanced by an extension of the season that 
TDDs would be required.
    This action also makes a very slight modification to the TDD gear 
regulations for safety purposes. Current TDD gear regulations allow for 
a flaring bar to ensure safe handling of the dredge. Prior to this 
action, this flaring bar could only be attached to the dredge frame on 
one side. This action adjusts this regulation to allow for a bar or 
``u''-shaped flaring mechanism to support safety at sea. Allowing a u-
shaped flaring mechanism should not have an impact on sea turtles and 
the effectiveness of the TDD because the flaring bar or mechanism would 
still be prohibited from being attached within 12 inches (30.5 cm) of 
the ``bump out'' of the TDD and not between the bale bars. This change 
requires that each side of the bar or mechanism be no more than 12 
inches (30.5 cm) in length.

[[Page 22123]]

    This action does not change any other regulatory requirements for 
the use of chain mats and TDDs.

Adjustments to the State Water Exemption Program To Include NGOM 
Management Area Exemptions

    Framework 26 modifies the State Water Exemption Program to include 
a new exemption that enables scallop vessels to continue to fish in 
state waters after the NGOM hard TAC is reached. This action expands 
the exemptions to include this new measure related to the NGOM. 
Specifically, states within the NGOM management area (i.e., 
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine) can request an exemption from 
the regulation that requires that scallop vessels must stop fishing in 
the state waters portion of the NGOM once the Federal TAC has been 
reached. States have to apply for this exemption and specify to which 
vessels this would apply (e.g., vessels with NGOM permits, IFQ permits, 
incidental permits, or limited access permits).
    This measure alleviates the concerns of Maine permit holders about 
their ability to fish in state waters when the state season is open in 
the winter if the NGOM TAC is reached by giving the state the ability 
to apply for an exemption through the State Water Exemption Program. 
Because the NGOM Federal TAC is set based only on the Federal portion 
of the resource, NMFS does not expect this measure to compromise the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan's (FMP's) limits on catch 
and mortality.

Proactive AMs for Flatfish Protection

    Prior to Framework 26, all scallop vessels (i.e., limited access 
and LAGC) fishing for scallops with dredges in open areas west of 
71[deg] W. long. were required to have their dredges configured so that 
no dredge has more than seven rows of rings in the apron (i.e., the 
area between the terminus of the dredge (clubstick) and the twine top) 
on the topside of the dredge. The twine top helps finfish (flatfish in 
particular) escape from the dredge during fishing and the maximum 
number of rows of rings prevents fishermen from making the twine top 
small and ineffective in reducing bycatch. Framework 26 extends this 
proactive accountability measure to all areas where scallop fishing 
occurs (i.e., all access and open areas). This increased spatial 
coverage may further reduce flatfish bycatch by preventing dredge 
configurations using more than seven rows of rings. This is considered 
to be a proactive AM because it may help the fishery stay below the 
sub-ACLs for flatfish (yellowtail flounder and windowpane flounder, 
currently). Additionally, this measure enables vessels to voluntarily 
fish with an even shorter apron (less than seven rings), to proactively 
reduce flatfish bycatch in any area or season.

Regulatory Corrections Under Regional Administrator Authority

    This rule includes several revisions to the regulatory text to 
address text that is unnecessary, outdated, unclear, or otherwise could 
be improved. NMFS changes these consistent with section 305(d) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act), 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 Magnuson-Stevens 
Act. Two revisions clarify how to apply and measure gear modifications 
to ensure compliance. The first revision at Sec.  648.51 clarifies 
where to measure meshes to ensure twine top compliance. The second 
revision at Sec.  648.53 clarifies an example on how the hanging ratio 
should be applied and measured if the windowpane reactive AM 
implemented through Framework 25 (June 26, 2014; 79 FR 34251) is 
triggered.
    This action also modifies the VMS catch report requirements at 
Sec.  648.10(f)(4)(i) to only include the information used by NMFS to 
monitor flatfish bycatch. The form currently requires that the amount 
of yellowtail flounder discards be reported daily. This requirement has 
been in place since Amendment 15 to the Scallop FMP (76 FR 43746; July 
21, 2011), which established the yellowtail flounder AMs in the FMP. 
However, since the implementation of Amendment 15, the scallop fishery 
now has other bycatch sub-ACLs and AMs (e.g., SNE/MA windowpane 
flounder) which are not captured in this form. In addition, current 
bycatch monitoring relies solely on observer reports to determine 
bycatch discards for these species. In order to minimize confusion, and 
because this information is not necessary for bycatch monitoring, we 
will remove the reference to reporting yellowtail discards. Instead, 
the vessels will report daily scallop catch and the amount of all other 
species kept.
    In addition, this action adjusts the regulations at Sec.  648.53(a) 
to clarify that the values for ABC/ACL stated in the regulations 
reflect the levels from which ACTs are set, thus they do not include 
estimates of discards and incidental mortality. This regulatory 
clarification is at the request of the Council and more accurately 
reflects the process for establishing ABCs and ACLs in the scallop 
fishery.

Comments and Responses

    NMFS received six comment letters in response to the proposed rule 
from: Fisheries Survival Fund, a scallop fishing industry organization; 
the Maine Department of Marine Resources; and four individuals. We 
provide responses below to the issues these commenters raised. NMFS may 
only approve, disapprove, or partially approve measures in Framework 
26, and cannot substantively amend, add, or delete measures beyond what 
is necessary under section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to 
discharge its responsibility to carry out such measures.
    Comment 1: Fisheries Survival Fund, which represents a majority of 
the limited access scallop fleet, was supportive of this action, but 
asked that we waive the delay of effectiveness period for the measures 
related to access area allocations and DAS. It asked that we retain the 
30-day delay of effectiveness period for other measures that may 
require some time for the industry to make the necessary changes, e.g., 
gear modifications.
    Response: NMFS agrees with the timing suggestions and will be 
implementing all measures upon publication of this final rule, with the 
exception of the maximum seven-row apron requirement. This measure will 
have a 30-day delay in effectiveness.
    Comment 2: One commenter was concerned that, because the Georges 
Bank Access Areas are closing and the Mid-Atlantic Access Area is 
opening in May, there may be a gear conflict with 15-20 monkfish 
gillnetters in the Delmarva Access Area. The commenter was concerned 
that the scallop vessels would dredge through their gear because April 
through June is the height of the monkfish fishing season.
    Response: The scallop fishery operates year round. The delayed 
opening of Delmarva in fishing year 2014 (mid-June instead of March 1) 
was a result of a delay in the Council's submission of Framework 
Adjustment 26 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP due to additional 
alternatives that were added late in the process. This action was 
intended to be in place before May. In the past, when we had 2-year 
specifications, the Delmarva area was opened on March 1. Also, the 
Delmarva area is currently opened to scallop fishing from 2014 
carryover trips and will be through April. The commenter did not ask us 
to delay access to this area to give the monkfish fleet time to make 
the necessary adjustments, but

[[Page 22124]]

they asked that we not allow scallopers in the area until they were 
done fishing. We cannot delay access area trips to prevent gear 
conflict because the Council did not address this issue in Framework 
26. Section 305(1)(K) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act prohibits the 
negligent removal or damaging of fishing gear owned by another person, 
which is located in the exclusive economic zone, or the fish contained 
in such fishing gear. We will remind the scallop fleet of this 
prohibition in a bulletin announcing the implementation of Framework 
26.
    Comment 3: The Maine Department of Marine Resources commented in 
support of the rule, in particular, the proposed modifications to the 
State Water Exemption Program.
    Response: NMFS appreciates the comment.
    Comment 4: One commenter stated that fishing year 2015 scallop 
quotas should be reduced by 25 percent to account for poaching.
    Response: There is no evidence in the record to support neither 
this assertion nor the need to reduce scallop quotas by 25 percent to 
address poaching. As we discuss in the preambles to both the proposed 
and final rules, the quota allocations for fishing years 2015 and 2016 
are based on the best scientific information available and are 
consistent with the control rules outlined in the ACL process 
established under Amendment 15 to the FMP. We do not currently consider 
scallops overfished or subject to overfishing. Sufficient analysis and 
scientific justification for our action in this final rule are 
contained within the supporting documents.
    Comment 5: One commenter stated that anyone who kills a turtle 
should be fined $1 million.
    Response: As discussed in the preamble, the measures in this action 
to address turtle interactions were determined to be conservation 
neutral by balancing the smaller area for the turtle chain mat 
requirement with the additional months for the Turtle Deflector Dredge. 
Addressing any fines for the incidental take of turtles is not within 
the scope or authority for this type of action.
    Comment 6: One commenter requested that we increase the 40-lb 
possession limit for vessels with incidental LAGC permits.
    Response: Framework 26 did not include or analyze any alternatives 
regarding changes to possession limits for LAGC incidental permits. 
NMFS can only approve or disapprove this framework and cannot in this 
action add additional substantive measures not contained in the 
framework. The Council would have to consider this change in a 
subsequent action.
    Comment 7: One commenter simply stated that he opposed this action 
because he loves and needs scallops.
    Response: Framework 26 creates two closure areas to protect small 
scallops in the Elephant Trunk and Nantucket Lightship Access Areas, 
and NMFS has managed scallop fishing through area-based management 
since 1999. By protecting small scallops through area-based management, 
NMFS and the Council hope to support long term optimum yield. Under 
this management, NMFS and the Council intend to support this fishery 
that fills a demand for scallops that the U.S. and world love.

Changes From Proposed Rule to Final Rule

    We corrected a typographical error that referenced section Sec.  
648.65, and we included changes to the regulatory text to Sec. Sec.  
648.58, 648.59, and 648.61 clarify the description of the regulated 
areas defined under the Scallop FMP.

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.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this 
rule is not significant according to Executive Order (E.O.) 12866.
    This final rule does not contain policies with federalism or 
``takings'' implications, as those terms are defined in E.O. 1312 and 
E.O. 12630, respectively.
    This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The two requirements were approved 
by OMB under the NMFS Greater Atlantic Region Scallop Report Family of 
Forms (OMB Control No. 0648-0491). Under Framework 26, all 347 limited 
access vessels are required to submit a pre-landing notification form 
for each access area trip through their VMS units. This information 
collection is intended to improve access area trip monitoring, as well 
as streamline a vessel's ability to fish multiple access area trips. 
Although this is a new requirement, it replaces other reporting 
procedures currently required for breaking an access area trip and 
receiving permission to take a compensation trip to harvest remaining 
unharvested scallop pounds from an access area trip. The action also 
includes a new requirement for some limited access vessels to report a 
pre-landing notification form through their VMS unit before changing 
their open area trip declaration to a ``declared out of fishery 
declaration,'' which is expected to add a burden to a very small 
portion of the fleet. Public reporting burden for submitting these pre-
landing notification forms is estimated to average 5 minutes per 
response with an associated cost of $1.25, which includes the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. This requirement applies to a few vessels 
that intend to land open area scallops at ports south of Cape May, NJ, 
and want to steam to those ports while not using DAS. This new pre-
landing requirement is necessary to enforce a measure intended to 
assist shoreside businesses in southern ports by providing an incentive 
for vessels to steam to ports far away from popular open area fishing 
grounds.
    In a given fishing year, NMFS estimates that for access area 
reporting, each of the 313 full-time limited access vessels will submit 
a pre-landing report 5 times (1,565 responses), and each of the 34 
part-time limited access vessel will submit a pre-landing report up to 
3 times (102 responses), for a total of 1,667 responses. These 1,667 
responses impose total compliance costs of $2,084 on the whole fishery, 
but this cost is offset by the reduction in burden from the replaced 
trip termination and compensation trip reporting procedures, which were 
estimated to cost a total of $300 annually. Thus, the additional burden 
for this new pre-landing requirement is $1,785 ($2,085-$300), or $5.14 
per vessel. This is likely an overestimate, but accounts for the 
potential of higher access area scallop allocations in future fishing 
years.
    For the new DAS pre-landing requirements, NMFS estimates that this 
will likely impact 30 vessels and result in each of those vessels 
reporting one time a year. Public reporting burden for submitting these 
pre-landing notification forms is also estimated to average 5 minutes 
per response with an associated cost of $1.25. Therefore, the total 
cost of this will impose total compliance costs of $38 (30 vessels x 
$1.25). The total additional burden for all vessels from both of these 
new pre-landing requirements is $1,823.
    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

[[Page 22125]]

scallop fishery and certain fish stocks constitutes good cause, under 
authority contained in 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), to waive the 30-day delay in 
effectiveness and to make the majority of Framework 26 final measures 
effective May 1, 2015, or upon publication in the Federal Register if 
published after May 1, 2015. The only exception to this waiver is the 
proactive accountability measure for bycatch requiring a maximum of 
seven rows of rings in the topside of the apron found in Sec.  
648.51(b)(4)(iv). This measure is effective 30 days after the 
publication date, in order to give vessels the opportunity to modify 
their gear to comply with regulations.
    If there is a 30-day delay in implementing the measures in 
Framework 26, the scallop fleet will continue under the current default 
access area, DAS, IFQ, RSA, and observer set-aside allocations. These 
default allocations were purposely set to be more conservative than 
what would eventually be implemented under Framework 26. Under default 
measures, each full-time vessel has 17 DAS and no access area 
allocation. If the rule is not in place May 1, many scallopers will not 
be able to fish because they have already used a significant portion of 
their default DAS. This action gives them another 13.86 DAS. More 
importantly, the entire fleet will not be allowed in the Access Area. 
Each full time vessel will receive an additional 51,000 to be harvested 
in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area with this action. This action, 
therefore, relieves restrictions on the scallop fleet by providing 
full-time vessels with an additional 13.86 DAS (30.86 DAS total) and 
51,000 lb in access area allocation. Further, the catch rates, meat 
weights, and meat quality in Mid-Atlantic Access Area are best from May 
through July. Improving these parameters helps conserve the scallop 
resources in the access areas because it limits the number of 
individuals that scallop fishermen must harvest to reach a possession 
limit. Maximizing catch rates, meat weights, and meat quality will help 
the scallop fleet achieve optimum yield in the Mid-Atlantic Access 
Area, which is the central goal of the access area rotation program. 
Therefore, the greatest benefits to the scallop fishing industry, the 
scallop resource, and the public would come from earlier access in May. 
This provides more time for vessels to fish during the most productive 
time for the resource. Delaying the implementation of Framework 26 for 
30 days would be contrary to the public interest because continuing 
with these lower allocations would negatively impact the access area 
rotation program, as well as the scallop fleet economically. Any delay 
in implementation past May 1st would reduce the amount of time that 
scallop fishermen are able to fish in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area 
under the conditions that are ideal under the access area rotation 
program.
    For the reasons discussed above, to maximize conservation and 
economic benefits it necessary to allow access to the Mid-Atlantic 
Access Area on May 1. NMFS was unable to allow for a 30-day delay in 
effectiveness for Framework 26 rulemaking and allow access to the Mid-
Atlantic Access Area on May 1. The Council's February 2015 submission 
of Framework 26 initiated a timeline for implementation that did not 
for both the 30-day delay in effectiveness and May 1 access to the Mid-
Atlantic Access Area. However, NMFS must also consider the need of the 
scallop industry to have prior notice in order to make the necessary 
preparations to comply with changes to the gear required by the 
proactive accountability measure for bycatch. For these reasons, NMFS 
has determined that implementing these measures immediately, and with a 
30-day delay in effectiveness of the proactive accountability measure 
for bycatch, would have the greatest public benefit.
    NMFS, pursuant to section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(RFA), has completed a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) in 
support of Framework 26 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 26 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 26 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

    NMFS received no public comments directly in response to the IRFA 
summary or regarding economic impacts in the proposed rule.

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 26 document provides extensive 
information on the number and size of vessels and small businesses that 
will be affected by these regulations, by port and state (see 
ADDRESSES). There were 313 vessels that obtained full-time limited 
access permits in 2013, 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 212 LAGC IFQ permits in 
2013, and 155 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 Small Business 
Administration (SBA) defines a small business in shellfish fishery as a 
firm that is independently owned and operated and not dominant in its 
field of operation, with receipts of up to $5.5 M annually. Matching 
the potentially impacted 2013 fishing year permits described above (LA 
and LAGC IFQ) to calendar year 2013 ownership data results in 172 
distinct ownership entities for the limited access fleet and 115 
distinct ownership entities for the LAGC IFQ fleet. Of these, and based 
on the SBA guidelines, 154 of the limited access distinct ownership 
entities and all 115 of the LAGC IFQ entities are categorized as small. 
The remaining 18 of the limited access entities are categorized as 
large entities, all of which are shellfish businesses.

Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements

    This action contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the PRA. The OMB, under the NMFS Greater Atlantic Region Scallop 
Report Family of Forms (OMB Control No. 0648-0491), approved the two 
requirements.
    Under this action, all 347 limited access vessels are required to 
submit a pre-landing notification form for each access area trip 
through their VMS units. NMFS intends that this information collection 
will improve access area trip monitoring, as well as streamline a 
vessel's ability to fish multiple access area trips. Although this is a 
new requirement, it replaces other

[[Page 22126]]

reporting procedures currently required for breaking an access area 
trip and receiving permission to take a compensation trip to harvest 
remaining unharvested scallop pounds from an access area trip. The 
action also includes a new requirement for some limited access vessels 
to report a pre-landing notification form through their VMS unit before 
changing their open area trip declaration to a ``declared out of 
fishery declaration,'' which is expected to add a burden to a very 
small portion of the fleet. This requirement only applies to a few 
vessels that intend to land open area scallops at ports south of Cape 
May, NJ, and want to steam to those ports while not using DAS. This new 
pre-landing requirement is necessary to enforce a measure intended to 
assist shoreside businesses in southern ports by providing an incentive 
for vessels to steam to ports far away from popular open area fishing 
grounds.
    Notification requires the dissemination of the following 
information: Operator's permit number; amount of scallop meats and/or 
bushels to be landed; the estimated time of arrival; the landing port 
and state where the scallops will be offloaded; and the vessel trip 
report (VTR) serial number recorded from that trip's VTR. This 
information will be used by the NMFS Office of Law Enforcement to 
monitor vessel activity and ensure compliance with the regulations.
    The burden estimates for these new requirements apply to all 
limited access vessels. In a given fishing year, NMFS estimates that 
for access area reporting, each of the 313 full-time limited access 
vessels will submit a pre-landing report 5 times (1,565 responses), and 
each of the 34 part-time limited access vessel will submit a pre-
landing report up to 3 times (102 responses), for a total of 1,667 
responses. Public reporting burden for submitting these pre-landing 
notification forms is estimated to average 5 minutes per response with 
an associated cost of $1.25, which includes the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    Therefore, 1,667 responses impose total compliance costs of $2,084 
across the whole fishery; however, this new requirement replaces 
current trip termination and compensation trip reporting procedures, 
which were estimated to cost a total of $300 annually, so the 
additional burden for this new pre-landing requirement is actually 
$1,785 ($2,085-$300), or $5.14 per vessel. This figure is likely an 
overestimate, but accounts for the potential of higher access area 
scallop allocations in future fishing years. For the new DAS pre-
landing requirements, NMFS estimates that this will likely impact 30 
vessels and result in each of those vessels reporting one time a year. 
Public reporting burden for submitting these pre-landing notification 
forms is also estimated to average 5 minutes per response with an 
associated cost of $1.25. Therefore, the total cost of this will impose 
total compliance costs of $38 (30 vessels x $1.25). The total 
additional burden from both of these new pre-landing requirements will 
be $1,823.
    NMFS sought public comment regarding: Whether this proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. NMFS did not 
receive any comments regarding these collections of information.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays 
a currently valid OMB Control Number. All currently approved NOAA 
collections of information may be viewed at: https://www.cio.noaa.gov/services_programs/prasubs.html.
    This action contains no other compliance costs. It does not 
duplicate, overlap, or conflict with any other Federal law.

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 26, NMFS and the Council 
considered ways to reduce the regulatory burden on, and provide 
flexibility for, the regulated entities in this action. For example, 
they removed the requirement to send in broken trip forms and process 
compensation trips, and they allowed carryover of all access area 
allocation 60 days into the following fishing year. Final actions and 
alternatives are described in detail in Framework 26, 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 several measures that enable small 
entities to offset some portion of the estimated economic impacts. 
These measure include: Removing the requirement to send in broken trip 
and compensation trip forms; allowing vessels to harvest access area 
quota in any of the three access areas; aligning the gear designed to 
protect sea turtles; allowing vessel landing at a port south of 39 
degrees N. lat. to ``declare out of fishery with product on board'' to 
reduce DAS use while transiting; and modifying the State Waters 
Exemption Program to allow vessels to continue to fish in state waters 
if the NGOM TAC is reached.

List of Subjects

50 CFR Part 223

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, 
Transportation.

50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: April 16, 2015.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 50 CFR parts 223 and 648 
is amended as follows:

[[Page 22127]]

PART 223--THREATENED MARINE AND ANADROMOUS SPECIES

0
1. The authority citation for part 223 continues to read as follows:

     Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 1543; subpart B, Sec.  223.201-202 
also issued under 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.; 16 U.S.C. 5503(d) for 
Sec.  223.206(d)(9).

0
2. In Sec.  223.206, paragraph (d)(11) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  223.206  Exceptions to prohibitions relating to sea turtles.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (11) Restrictions applicable to sea scallop dredges in the mid-
Atlantic--(i) Gear Modification. During the time period of May 1 
through November 30, any vessel with a sea scallop dredge and required 
to have a Federal Atlantic sea scallop fishery permit, regardless of 
dredge size or vessel permit category, that enters waters west of 
71[deg] W. long., from the shoreline to the outer boundary of the 
Exclusive Economic Zone must have on each dredge a chain mat described 
as follows. The chain mat must be composed of horizontal (``tickler'') 
chains and vertical (``up-and-down'') chains that are configured such 
that the openings formed by the intersecting chains have no more than 
four sides. The vertical and horizontal chains must be hung to cover 
the opening of the dredge bag such that the vertical chains extend from 
the back of the cutting bar to the sweep. The horizontal chains must 
intersect the vertical chains such that the length of each side of the 
openings formed by the intersecting chains is less than or equal to 14 
inches (35.5 cm) with the exception of the side of any individual 
opening created by the sweep. The chains must be connected to each 
other with a shackle or link at each intersection point. The 
measurement must be taken along the chain, with the chain held taut, 
and include one shackle or link at the intersection point and all links 
in the chain up to, but excluding, the shackle or link at the other 
intersection point.
    (ii) Any vessel that enters the waters described in paragraph 
(d)(11)(i) of this section and that is required to have a Federal 
Atlantic sea scallop fishery permit must have the chain mat 
configuration installed on all dredges for the duration of the trip.
    (iii) Vessels subject to the requirements in paragraphs (d)(11)(i) 
and (ii) of this section transiting waters west of 71[deg] W. long., 
from the shoreline to the outer boundary of the Exclusive Economic 
Zone, will be exempted from the chain-mat requirements provided the 
dredge gear is not available for immediate use as defined by Sec.  
648.2 of this title and there are no scallops on-board.

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

0
3. The authority citation for part 648 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

0
4. In Sec.  648.10, paragraphs (e)(5)(iii) and (f)(4) are revised, and 
paragraph (f)(6) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  648.10  VMS and DAS requirements for vessel owners/operators.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (iii) DAS counting for a vessel that is under the VMS notification 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section, with the exception of 
vessels that have elected to fish exclusively in the Eastern U.S./
Canada Area on a particular trip, as described in paragraph (e)(5) of 
this section, begins with the first location signal received showing 
that the vessel crossed the VMS Demarcation Line after leaving port. 
DAS counting ends with the first location signal received showing that 
the vessel crossed the VMS Demarcation Line upon its return to port, 
unless the vessel is declared into a limited access scallop DAS trip 
and, upon its return to port, declares out of the scallop fishery 
shoreward of the VMS Demarcation Line at or south of 39[deg] N. lat., 
as specified in paragraph (f)(6) of this section, and lands in a port 
south of 39[deg] N. lat.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (4) Catch reports. (i) The owner or operator of a limited access or 
LAGC IFQ vessel that fishes for, possesses, or retains scallops, and is 
not fishing under a NE Multispecies DAS or sector allocation, must 
submit reports through the VMS, in accordance with instructions to be 
provided by the Regional Administrator, for each day fished, including 
open area trips, access area trips as described in Sec.  648.60(a)(9), 
and trips accompanied by a NMFS-approved observer. The reports must be 
submitted for each day (beginning at 0000 hr and ending at 2400 hr) and 
not later than 0900 hr of the following day. Such reports must include 
the following information:
    (A) VTR serial number;
    (B) Date fish were caught;
    (C) Total pounds of scallop meats kept;
    (D) Total pounds of all fish kept.
    (ii) Scallop Pre-Landing Notification Form for IFQ and NGOM 
vessels. A vessel issued an IFQ or NGOM scallop permit must report 
through VMS, using the Scallop Pre-Landing Notification Form, the 
amount of any scallops kept on each trip declared as a scallop trip, 
including declared scallop trips where no scallops were landed. In 
addition, vessels with an IFQ or NGOM permit must submit a Scallop Pre-
Landing Notification Form on trips that are not declared as scallop 
trips, but on which scallops are kept incidentally. A limited access 
vessel that also holds an IFQ or NGOM permit must submit the Scallop 
Pre-Landing Notification Form only when fishing under the provisions of 
the vessel's IFQ or NGOM permit. VMS Scallop Pre-Landing Notification 
forms must be submitted no less than 6 hours prior to arrival, or, if 
fishing ends less than 6 hours before arrival, immediately after 
fishing ends. If scallops will be landed, the report must include the 
vessel operator's permit number, the amount of scallop meats in pounds 
to be landed, the number of bushels of in-shell scallops to be landed, 
the estimated time of arrival in port, the landing port and state where 
the scallops will be offloaded, the VTR serial number recorded from 
that trip's VTR (the same VTR serial number as reported to the dealer), 
and whether any scallops were caught in the NGOM. If no scallops will 
be landed, a vessel issued an IFQ or NGOM scallop permit must provide 
only the vessel's captain/operator's permit number, the VTR serial 
number recorded from that trip's VTR (the same VTR serial number as 
reported to the dealer), and confirmation that no scallops will be 
landed. A vessel issued an IFQ or NGOM scallop permit may provide a 
corrected report. If the report is being submitted as a correction of a 
prior report, the information entered into the notification form will 
replace the data previously submitted in the prior report. Submitting a 
correction does not prevent NMFS from pursuing an enforcement action 
for any false reporting.
    (iii) Scallop Pre-Landing Notification Form for limited access 
vessels fishing on Scallop Access Area trips. A limited access vessel 
on a declared Sea Scallop Access Area trip must report through VMS, 
using the Scallop Pre-Landing Notification Form, the amount of any 
scallops kept on each access area trip, including declared access area 
trips where no scallops were landed. The report must be submitted no 
less than 6 hours before arrival, or, if fishing ends less than 6 hours 
before arrival,

[[Page 22128]]

immediately after fishing ends. If scallops will be landed, the report 
must include the vessel operator's permit number, the amount of scallop 
meats in pounds to be landed, the number of bushels of in-shell 
scallops to be landed, the estimated time of arrival, the landing port 
and state where the scallops will be offloaded, and the VTR serial 
number recorded from that trip's VTR (the same VTR serial number as 
reported to the dealer). If no scallops will be landed, a limited 
access vessel on a declared Sea Scallop Access Area trip must provide 
only the vessel's captain/operator's permit number, the VTR serial 
number recorded from that trip's VTR (the same VTR serial number as 
reported to the dealer), and confirmation that no scallops will be 
landed. A limited access scallop vessel may provide a corrected report. 
If the report is being submitted as a correction of a prior report, the 
information entered into the notification form will replace the data 
previously submitted in the prior report. Submitting a correction does 
not prevent NMFS from pursuing an enforcement action for any false 
reporting. A vessel may not offload its catch from a Sea Scallop Access 
Area trip at more than one location per trip.
    (iv) Scallop Pre-Landing Notification Form for limited access 
vessels on a declared DAS trip landing scallops at ports located at or 
south of 39[deg] N. lat. In order to end a declared Sea Scallop DAS 
trip and steam south of 39[deg] N. lat., a limited access vessel must 
first report through VMS, using the Scallop Pre-Landing Notification 
Form, the amount of any scallops kept on its DAS trip. Upon crossing 
shoreward of the VMS Demarcation Line at or south of 39[deg] N. lat., 
the Scallop Pre-Landing Notification form must be submitted. The report 
must include the vessel operator's permit number, the amount of scallop 
meats in pounds to be landed, the estimated time of arrival in port, 
the landing port and state where the scallops will be offloaded, and 
the VTR serial number recorded from that trip's VTR (the same VTR 
serial number as reported to the dealer). Prior to crossing seaward of 
the VMS Demarcation Line for the transit to a southern port at or south 
of 39[deg] N. lat., the vessel must declare out of the scallop fishery. 
A limited access scallop vessel may provide a corrected report. If the 
report is being submitted as a correction of a prior report, the 
information entered into the notification form will replace the data 
previously submitted in the prior report. Submitting a correction does 
not prevent NMFS from pursuing an enforcement action for any false 
reporting.
* * * * *
    (6) Limited access scallop vessels fishing under the DAS program 
and landing scallops at ports south of 39[deg] N. Lat. If landing 
scallops at a port located at or south of 39[deg] N. lat., a limited 
access vessel participating in the scallop DAS program may end its DAS 
trip once it has crossed shoreward of the VMS Demarcation Line at or 
south of 39[deg] N. lat. by declaring out of the scallop fishery and 
submitting the Scallop Pre-Landing Notification Form, as specified at 
paragraph (f)(4)(iv) of this section. Once declared out of the scallop 
fishery, and the vessel has submitted the Scallop Pre-Landing 
Notification Form, the vessel may cross seaward of the VMS Demarcation 
Line and steam to a port at or south of 39[deg] N. lat., to land 
scallops while not on a DAS. Such vessels that elect to change their 
declaration to steam to ports with scallops onboard and not accrue DAS 
must comply with all the requirements at Sec.  648.53(f)(3).
* * * * *
    5. In Sec.  648.14, paragraphs (i)(2)(ii)(B), (i)(2)(iii)(C), 
(i)(2)(v)(D), (i)(3)(iii)(C) and (D), (i)(4)(i)(C), and (i)(5)(iii) are 
revised, and paragraphs (i)(2)(iv)(D) and (E) and (i)(2)(v)(E) are 
added to read as follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (B) While under or subject to the DAS allocation program, in 
possession of more than 40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked scallops or 5 bu 
(1.76 hL) of in-shell scallops, or fishing for scallops in the EEZ:
    (1) Fish with, or have available for immediate use, trawl nets of 
mesh smaller than the minimum size specified in Sec.  648.51(a)(2).
    (2) Fail to comply with any chafing gear or other gear obstruction 
restrictions specified in Sec.  648.51(a)(3).
    (3) Fail to comply with the turtle deflector dredge vessel gear 
restrictions specified in Sec.  648.51(b)(5), and turtle dredge chain 
mat requirements in Sec.  223.206(d)(11) of this title.
    (4) Fish under the small dredge program specified in Sec.  
648.51(e), with, or while in possession of, a dredge that exceeds 10.5 
ft (3.2 m) in overall width, as measured at the widest point in the 
bail of the dredge.
    (5) Fish under the small dredge program specified in Sec.  
648.51(e) with more persons on board the vessel, including the 
operator, than specified in Sec.  648.51(e)(3), unless otherwise 
authorized by the Regional Administrator.
    (6) Participate in the DAS allocation program with more persons on 
board the vessel than the number specified in Sec.  648.51(c), 
including the operator, when the vessel is not docked or moored in 
port, unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator.
    (7) Fish in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as described in Sec.  
648.59(a), with more persons on board the vessel than the number 
specified in Sec.  648.51(c) or Sec.  648.51(e)(3)(i), unless otherwise 
authorized by the Regional Administrator.
    (8) Have a shucking or sorting machine on board a vessel that 
shucks scallops at sea while fishing under the DAS allocation program, 
unless otherwise authorized by the Regional Administrator.
    (9) Fish with, possess on board, or land scallops while in 
possession of trawl nets, when fishing for scallops under the DAS 
allocation program, unless exempted as provided for in Sec.  648.51(f).
    (10) Fail to comply with the gear restrictions described in Sec.  
648.51.
    (iii) * * *
    (C) Fish for or land per trip, or possess at any time, scallops in 
the NGOM scallop management area after notification in the Federal 
Register that the NGOM scallop management area TAC has been harvested, 
as specified in Sec.  648.62, unless the vessel possesses or lands 
scallops that were harvested south of 42[deg]20' N. lat. and the vessel 
only transits the NGOM scallop management area with the vessel's 
fishing gear properly stowed and not available for immediate use in 
accordance with Sec.  648.2 or unless the vessel is fishing exclusively 
in state waters and is participating in an approved state waters 
exemption program as specified in Sec.  648.54.
* * * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (D) Fail to comply with any requirements for declaring out of the 
DAS allocation program and steaming to land scallops at ports located 
at or south of 39[deg] N. lat., as specified in Sec.  648.53(f)(3).
    (E) Possess on board or land in-shell scallops if declaring out of 
the DAS allocation program and steaming to land scallops at ports 
located at or south of 39[deg] N. lat.
    (v) * * *
    (D) Once declared into the scallop fishery in accordance with Sec.  
648.10(f), change its VMS declaration until the trip has ended and 
scallop catch has

[[Page 22129]]

been offloaded, except as specified at Sec.  648.53(f)(3).
    (E) Fail to submit a scallop access area pre-landing notification 
form through VMS as specified at Sec.  648.10(f)(4)(iii).
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (C) Declare into the NGOM scallop management area after the 
effective date of a notification published in the Federal Register 
stating that the NGOM scallop management area TAC has been harvested as 
specified in Sec.  648.62, unless the vessel is fishing exclusively in 
state waters, declared a state-waters only NGOM trip, and is 
participating in an approved state waters exemption program as 
specified in Sec.  648.54.
    (D) Fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the NGOM scallop 
management area after the effective date of a notification published in 
the Federal Register that the NGOM scallop management area TAC has been 
harvested, as specified in Sec.  648.62, unless the vessel possesses or 
lands scallops that were harvested south of 42[deg]20' N. lat., the 
vessel is transiting the NGOM scallop management area, and the vessel's 
fishing gear is properly stowed and not available for immediate use in 
accordance with Sec.  648.2 or unless the vessel is fishing exclusively 
in state waters, declared a state-waters only NGOM trip, and is 
participating in an approved state waters exemption program as 
specified in Sec.  648.54.
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (C) Declare into the NGOM scallop management area after the 
effective date of a notification published in the Federal Register 
stating that the NGOM scallop management area TAC has been harvested as 
specified in Sec.  648.62, unless the vessel is fishing exclusively in 
state waters, declared a state-waters only NGOM trip, and is 
participating in an approved state waters exemption program as 
specified in Sec.  648.54.
* * * * *
    (5) * * *
    (iii) Fish for, possess, or land scallops in state or Federal 
waters of the NGOM management area after the effective date of 
notification in the Federal Register that the NGOM scallop management 
area TAC has been harvested as specified in Sec.  648.62, unless the 
vessel is fishing exclusively in state waters, declared a state-waters 
only NGOM trip, and is participating in an approved state waters 
exemption program as specified in Sec.  648.54.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  648.51:
0
a. Paragraphs (b)(4)(iv) and (v), (b)(5)(ii)(A) introductory text, 
(b)(5)(ii)(A)(3), and (c) introductory text are revised;
0
b. Paragraph (c)(1) is removed and reserved; and
0
c. Paragraph (e)(3)(i) is revised.
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  648.51  Gear and crew restrictions.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (iv) Twine top restrictions as a proactive accountability measure 
for bycatch. In addition to the minimum twine top mesh size specified 
in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, limited access and limited access 
general category IFQ vessels may not fish for scallops with a dredge 
having more than seven rows of non-overlapping steel rings unobstructed 
by netting or any other material between the terminus of the dredge 
(club stick) and the net material on the top of the dredge (twine top) 
(a copy of a diagram showing a schematic of a legal dredge with twine 
top is available from the Regional Administrator upon request).
    (v) Measurement of twine top mesh size. Twine top mesh size is 
measured by using a wedge-shaped gauge having a taper of 0.79 inches (2 
cm) in 3.15 inches (8 cm) and a thickness of 0.09 inches (2.3 mm), 
inserted into the meshes under a pressure or pull of 17.64 lb (8 kg). 
The mesh size is the average of the measurements of any series of 20 
consecutive meshes for twine tops having 75 or more meshes, and 10 
consecutive meshes for twine tops having fewer than 75 meshes. The mesh 
in the twine top must be measured along the length of the twine top, 
running parallel to a longitudinal axis, and be at least five meshes 
away from where the twine top mesh meets the rings, running parallel to 
the long axis of the twine top.
    (5) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) From May 1 through November 30, any limited access scallop 
vessel using a dredge, regardless of dredge size or vessel permit 
category, or any LAGC IFQ scallop vessel fishing with a dredge with a 
width of 10.5 ft (3.2 m) or greater, that is fishing for scallops in 
waters west of 71[deg] W. long., from the shoreline to the outer 
boundary of the EEZ, must use a TDD. The TDD requires five 
modifications to the rigid dredge frame, as specified in paragraphs 
(b)(5)(ii)(A)(1) through (5) of this section. See paragraph 
(b)(5)(ii)(D) of this section for more specific descriptions of the 
dredge elements mentioned below.
* * * * *
    (3) All bale bars must be removed, except the outer bale (single or 
double) bars and the center support beam, leaving an otherwise 
unobstructed space between the cutting bar and forward bale wheels, if 
present. The center support beam must be less than 6 inches (15.24 cm) 
wide. For the purpose of flaring and safe handling of the dredge, a 
minor appendage not to exceed 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length may be 
attached to each of the outer bale bars. If the flaring bar is attached 
in a u-shape, none of the three sides of the flaring bar shall exceed 
12 inches (30.5 cm) in length. The appendage shall at no point be 
closer than 12 inches (30.5 cm) to the cutting bar.
* * * * *
    (c) Crew restrictions. A limited access vessel participating in or 
subject to the scallop DAS allocation program may have no more than 
seven people aboard, including the operator, and a limited access 
vessel participating in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program as 
specified in Sec.  648.60 may have no more than eight people aboard, 
including the operator, when not docked or moored in port, except as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) A vessel participating in the Sea Scallop Area Access Program 
as specified in Sec.  648.60 may have no more than six people, 
including the operator, on board.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  648.53:
0
a. Paragraphs (a), (b)(1), and (b)(4) are revised;
0
b. Paragraph (f)(3) is added; and
0
c. Paragraph (g)(1) is revised.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  648.53  Acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limits 
(ACL), annual catch targets (ACT), DAS allocations, and individual 
fishing quotas (IFQ).

    (a) Scallop fishery ABC. The ABC for the scallop fishery shall be 
established through the framework adjustment process specified in Sec.  
648.55 and is equal to the overall scallop fishery ACL minus discards. 
The ABC/ACL, after discards 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 specified in paragraphs (a)(3) 
and (4) of this section, after deducting the scallop incidental catch 
target TAC specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, observer set-
aside specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, and research set-
aside specified in

[[Page 22130]]

Sec.  648.56(d). The ABC/ACL for the 2016 fishing year is subject to 
change through a future framework adjustment.
    (1) ABC/ACL for fishing years 2015 through 2016, excluding 
discards, shall be:
    (i) 2015: 25,352 mt.
    (ii) 2016: 31,807 mt.
    (2) Scallop incidental catch target TAC. The annual incidental 
catch target TAC for vessels with incidental catch scallop permits is 
22.7 mt.
    (3) Limited access fleet sub-ACL and ACT. The limited access 
scallop fishery shall be allocated 94.5 percent of the ACL specified in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after deducting incidental catch, 
observer set-aside, and research set-aside, as specified in this 
paragraph (a)(3). ACT for the limited access scallop fishery shall be 
established through the framework adjustment process described in Sec.  
648.55. DAS specified in paragraph (b) of this section shall be based 
on the ACTs specified in paragraph (a)(3)(ii) of this section. The 
limited access fleet sub-ACL and ACT for the 2016 fishing year are 
subject to change through a future framework adjustment.
    (i) The limited access fishery sub-ACLs for fishing years 2015 and 
2016 are:
    (A) 2015: 23,161 mt.
    (B) 2016: 29,200 mt.
    (ii) The limited access fishery ACTs for fishing years 2015 and 
2016 are:
    (A) 2015: 19,311 mt.
    (B) 2016: 23,016 mt.
    (4) LAGC fleet sub-ACL. The sub-ACL for the LAGC IFQ fishery shall 
be equal to 5.5 percent of the ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, after deducting incidental catch, observer set-aside, and 
research set-aside, as specified in this paragraph (a)(4). The LAGC IFQ 
fishery ACT shall be equal to the LAGC IFQ fishery's ACL. The ACL for 
the LAGC IFQ fishery for vessels issued only a LAGC IFQ scallop permit 
shall be equal to 5 percent of the ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, after deducting incidental catch, observer set-aside, and 
research set-aside, as specified in this paragraph (a)(4). The ACL for 
the LAGC IFQ fishery for vessels issued only both a LAGC IFQ scallop 
permit and a limited access scallop permit shall be 0.5 percent of the 
ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, after deducting 
incidental catch, observer set-aside, and research set-aside, as 
specified in this paragraph (a)(4).
    (i) The ACLs for fishing years 2015 and 2016 for LAGC IFQ vessels 
without a limited access scallop permit are:
    (A) 2015: 1,225 mt.
    (B) 2016: 1,545 mt.
    (ii) The ACLs for fishing years 2015 and 2016 for vessels issued 
both a LAGC and a limited access scallop permits are:
    (A) 2015: 123 mt.
    (B) 2016: 154 mt.
    (b) * * *
    (1) Landings per unit effort (LPUE). LPUE is an estimate of the 
average amount of scallops, in pounds, that the limited access scallop 
fleet lands per DAS fished. The estimated LPUE is the average LPUE for 
all limited access scallop vessels fishing under DAS, and shall be used 
to calculate DAS specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, the DAS 
reduction for the AM specified in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, 
and the observer set-aside DAS allocation specified in paragraph (g)(1) 
of this section. LPUE shall be:
    (i) 2015 fishing year: 2,594 lb/DAS (1,171 kg/DAS).
    (ii) 2016 fishing year: 2,715 lb/DAS (1,175 kg/DAS).
    (iii) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (4) Each vessel qualifying for one of the three DAS categories 
specified in the table in this paragraph (b)(4) (full-time, part-time, 
or occasional) shall be allocated the maximum number of DAS for each 
fishing year it may participate in the open area limited access scallop 
fishery, according to its category, excluding carryover DAS in 
accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. DAS allocations shall be 
determined by distributing the portion of ACT specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(ii) of this section, as reduced by access area allocations 
specified in Sec.  648.59, and dividing that amount among vessels in 
the form of DAS calculated by applying estimates of open area LPUE 
specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. Allocation for part-time 
and occasional scallop vessels shall be 40 percent and 8.33 percent of 
the full-time DAS allocations, respectively. The annual open area DAS 
allocations for each category of vessel for the fishing years indicated 
are as follows:

                    Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Permit  category                   2015            2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time................................           30.86          26
Part-Time................................           12.94          10.40
Occasional...............................            2.58           2.17
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) [Reserved]
    (ii) Accountability measures (AM). Unless the limited access AM 
exception is implemented in accordance with the provision specified in 
paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this section, if the ACL specified in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section is exceeded for the applicable 
fishing year, the DAS specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section for 
each limited access vessel shall be reduced by an amount equal to the 
amount of landings in excess of the ACL divided by the applicable LPUE 
for the fishing year in which the AM will apply as specified in 
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, then divided by the number of scallop 
vessels eligible to be issued a full-time limited access scallop 
permit. For example, assuming a 300,000-lb (136-mt) overage of the ACL 
in 2011, an open area LPUE of 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) per DAS in 2012, and 
313 full-time vessels, each full-time vessel's DAS for 2012 would be 
reduced by 0.38 DAS (300,000 lb (136 mt)/2,500 lb (1.13 mt) per DAS = 
120 lb (0.05 mt) per DAS/313 vessels = 0.38 DAS per vessel). Deductions 
in DAS for part-time and occasional scallop vessels shall be 40 percent 
and 8.33 percent of the full-time DAS deduction, respectively, as 
calculated pursuant to this paragraph (b)(4)(ii). The AM shall take 
effect in the fishing year following the fishing year in which the 
overage occurred. For example, landings in excess of the ACL in fishing 
year 2011 would result in the DAS reduction AM in fishing year 2012. If 
the AM takes effect, and a limited access vessel uses more open area 
DAS in the fishing year in which the AM is applied, the vessel shall 
have the DAS used in excess of the allocation after applying the AM 
deducted from its open area DAS allocation in the subsequent fishing 
year. For example, a vessel initially allocated 32 DAS in 2011 uses all 
32 DAS prior to application of the AM. If, after application of the AM, 
the vessel's DAS allocation is reduced to 31 DAS, the vessel's DAS in 
2012 would be reduced by 1 DAS.
    (iii) Limited access AM exception. If NMFS determines, in 
accordance with paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section, that the fishing 
mortality rate associated with the limited access fleet's landings in a 
fishing year is less than 0.34, the AM specified in paragraph 
(b)(4)(ii) of this section shall not take effect. The fishing mortality 
rate of 0.34 is the fishing mortality rate that is one standard 
deviation below the fishing mortality rate for the scallop fishery ACL, 
currently estimated at 0.38.
    (iv) Limited access fleet AM and exception provision timing. The 
Regional Administrator shall determine whether the limited access fleet 
exceeded its ACL specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this section by 
July of the fishing year following the year for which landings are 
being evaluated. On or about July 1, the Regional

[[Page 22131]]

Administrator shall notify the New England Fishery Management Council 
of the determination of whether or not the ACL for the limited access 
fleet was exceeded, and the amount of landings in excess of the ACL. 
Upon this notification, the Scallop Plan Development Team (PDT) shall 
evaluate the overage and determine if the fishing mortality rate 
associated with total landings by the limited access scallop fleet is 
less than 0.34. On or about September 1 of each year, the Scallop PDT 
shall notify the Council of its determination, and the Council, on or 
about September 30, shall make a recommendation, based on the Scallop 
PDT findings, concerning whether to invoke the limited access AM 
exception. If NMFS concurs with the Scallop PDT's recommendation to 
invoke the limited access AM exception, in accordance with the APA, the 
limited access AM shall not be implemented. If NMFS does not concur, in 
accordance with the APA, the limited access AM shall be implemented as 
soon as possible after September 30 each year.
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (3) Limited access scallop vessels fishing under the DAS program 
and landing scallops at a port located at or south of 39[deg] N. Lat. 
If landing scallops at a port located at or south of 39[deg] N. lat., a 
limited access vessel participating in the scallop DAS program may end 
its DAS trip once shoreward of the VMS Demarcation Line at or south of 
39[deg] N. lat. by declaring out of the scallop fishery. Once declared 
out of the scallop fishery, the vessel may cross seaward of the VMS 
Demarcation Line and steam to ports at or south of 39[deg] N. lat., to 
land scallops while not on a DAS, provided that the vessel complies 
with the following requirements:
    (i) The vessel must submit a Scallop Pre-landing Notification Form, 
as specified at Sec.  648.10(f)(4)(iv);
    (ii) The vessel's fishing gear is stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2;
    (iii) The vessel must return directly to port and offload scallops;
    (iv) The vessel must land scallops at a port located at or south of 
39[deg] N. lat.; and
    (v) The vessel may not possess in-shell scallops.
    (g) Set-asides for observer coverage. (1) To help defray the cost 
of carrying an observer, 1 percent of the ABC/ACL specified in 
paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be set aside to be used by 
vessels that are assigned to take an at-sea observer on a trip. The 
total TAC for observer set aside is 254 mt in fishing year 2015, and 
318 mt in fishing year 2016.
* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  648.54, paragraphs (a)(4) and (b) through (g) are revised, 
and paragraph (h) is added, to read as follows:


Sec.  648.54  State waters exemption.

    (a) * * *
    (4) The Regional Administrator has determined that the State of 
Maine has a scallop fishery conservation program for its scallop 
fishery that does not jeopardize the biomass and fishing mortality/
effort limit objectives of the Scallop FMP. A vessel fishing in State 
of Maine waters may fish under the State of Maine state waters 
exemption, subject to the exemptions specified in paragraphs (b) and 
(c) of this section, provided the vessel is in compliance with 
paragraphs (e) through (g) of this section.
    (b) Limited access scallop vessel exemption. Any vessel issued a 
limited access scallop permit is exempt from the DAS requirements 
specified in Sec.  648.53(b) while fishing exclusively landward of the 
outer boundary of the waters of a state that has been issued a state 
waters exemption under paragraph (a)(4) of this section, provided the 
vessel complies with paragraphs (f) through (h) of this section.
    (c) Gear and possession limit restrictions. Any vessel issued a 
limited access scallop permit, an LAGC NGOM, or an LAGC IFQ scallop 
permit is exempt from the minimum twine top mesh size for scallop 
dredge gear specified in Sec.  648.51(b)(2) and (b)(4)(iv) while 
fishing exclusively landward of the outer boundary of the waters of the 
State of Maine under the state waters exemption specified in paragraph 
(a)(4) of this section, provided the vessel is in compliance with 
paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section.
    (d) NGOM closure exemption. Any vessel issued a Federal scallop 
permit may be exempt from the regulations specified in Sec.  
648.52(b)(2) requiring that once the NGOM Federal hard TAC is reached, 
no vessel issued a scallop permit may fish in the NGOM area. This 
exemption, which a state must apply for through the process specified 
in paragraph (a) of this section, would allow vessels to continue to 
fish for scallops within a state's waters inside the NGOM. A state 
applying for this exemption must clarify to which scallop permit types 
this exemption would apply.
    (e) Notification requirements. Vessels fishing under the exemptions 
specified in paragraph (b) and/or (c) of this section must notify the 
Regional Administrator in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  
648.10(e).
    (f) Restriction on fishing in the EEZ. A vessel fishing under a 
state waters exemption may not fish in the EEZ during the time in which 
it is fishing under the state waters exemption, as declared under the 
notification requirements of this section.
    (g) Duration of exemption. An exemption expires upon a change in 
the vessel's name or ownership, or upon notification through VMS by the 
participating vessel's owner.
    (h) Applicability of other provisions of this part. A vessel 
fishing under the exemptions provided by paragraph (b) and/or (c) of 
this section remains subject to all other requirements of this part.

0
7. Section 648.58 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.58  Rotational Closed Areas.

    (a) Closed Area I Closed Area. No vessel may fish for scallops in, 
or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the Closed Area I 
Closed Area. No vessel may possess scallops in the Closed Area I Closed 
Area, unless such vessel is only transiting the area as provided in 
paragraph (e) of this section. The Closed Area I Closed 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), and so that the line connecting points 
CAIA3 and CAIA4 is the same as the portion of the western boundary line 
of Closed Area I, defined in Sec.  648.81(a)(1), that lies between 
points CAIA3 and CAIA4:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  Latitude          Longitude      Note
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIA1........................  41[deg]26' N.     68[deg]30' W.
CAIA2........................  40[deg]58' N.     68[deg]30' W.
CAIA3........................  40[deg]54.95' N.  68[deg]53.37' W.  (\1\)
CAIA4........................  41[deg]04' N.     69[deg]01' W.     (\1\)
CAIA1........................  41[deg]26' N.     68[deg]30' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ From Point CAIA3 to Point CAIA4 along the western boundary of Closed
  Area I, defined in Sec.   648.81(a)(1).

    (b) Closed Area II Closed Area. No vessel may fish for scallops in, 
or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the Closed Area II 
Closed Area. No vessel may possess scallops in the Closed Area II 
Closed Area. The Closed Area II Closed Area is defined by straight 
lines, except where noted, connecting the following points in the order 
stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the 
Regional Administrator upon request):

[[Page 22132]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  Latitude          Longitude      Note
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIIA1.......................  41[deg]00' N.     67[deg]20' W.
CAIIA2.......................  41[deg]00' N.     66[deg]35.8' W.
CAIIA3.......................  41[deg]18.45' N.  (\1\)             (\2\)
CAIIA4.......................  41[deg]30' N.     (\3\)             (\2\)
CAIIA5.......................  41[deg]30' N.     67[deg]20' W.
CAIIA1.......................  41[deg]00' N.     67[deg]20' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada
  Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and
  66[deg]24.89' W. long.
\2\ From Point CAIIA3 connected to Point CAIIA4 along the U.S.-Canada
  Maritime Boundary.
\3\ The intersection of 41[deg]30' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime
  Boundary, approximately 41[deg]30' N. lat., 66[deg]34.73' W. long.

    (c) Nantucket Lightship Closed Area. No vessel may fish for 
scallops in, or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the 
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area. No vessel may possess scallops in the 
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area, unless such vessel is only transiting 
the area as provided in paragraph (e) of this section. The Nantucket 
Lightship Closed 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLAA1..........................  40[deg]50' N.        69[deg]30' W.
NLAA2..........................  40[deg]50' N.        69[deg]00' W.
NLAA3..........................  40[deg]33' N.        69[deg]00' W
NLAA4..........................  40[deg]33' N.        68[deg]48' W
NLAA5..........................  40[deg]20' N.        68[deg]48' W
NLAA6..........................  40[deg]20' N.        69[deg]30' W.
NLAA1..........................  40[deg]50' N.        69[deg]30' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Elephant Trunk Closed Area. No vessel may fish for scallops in, 
or possess or land scallops from, the area known as the Elephant Trunk 
Closed Area. No vessel may possess scallops in Elephant Trunk Closed 
Area. The Elephant Trunk Closed 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETCA 1.........................  38[deg]50' N.        74[deg]20' W.
ETCA 2.........................  38[deg]50' N.        73[deg]40' W.
ETCA 3.........................  38[deg]40' N.        73[deg]40' W.
ETCA 4.........................  38[deg]40' N.        73[deg]50' W.
ETCA 5.........................  38[deg]30' N.        73[deg]50' W.
ETCA 6.........................  38[deg]30' N.        74[deg]20' W.
ETCA 1.........................  38[deg]50' N.        74[deg]20' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Transiting. No vessel possessing scallops may enter or be in 
the area(s) specified in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section 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 Closed Area II Closed 
Area, as described in paragraph (b) of this section, or the Elephant 
Trunk Closed Area, as described in paragraph (d) of this section, 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.
    (f) Vessels fishing for species other than scallops. A vessel may 
fish for species other than scallops within the closed areas specified 
in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section as allowed in this part, 
provided the vessel does not fish for, catch, or retain scallops or 
intend to fish for, catch, or retain scallops. Declaration through VMS 
that the vessel is fishing in the LAGC scallop fishery is deemed to be 
an intent to fish for, catch, or retain scallops.
    8. In Sec.  648.59:
    a. Paragraph (a) is added;
    b. Paragraphs (b) introductory text, (b)(1), (b)(3), (c) 
introductory text, and (c)(1) are revised;
    c. Paragraph (c)(2) is removed and reserved;
    d. Paragraphs (c)(3), (d) introductory text, and (d)(1) are 
revised; and
    e. Paragraphs (d)(2) and (e) are removed and reserved.
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  648.59  Sea Scallop Access Areas.

    (a) Mid-Atlantic Scallop Access Area. (1) Beginning March 1, 2015, 
through February 28, 2017 (i.e., fishing years 2015 and 2016), a vessel 
issued a scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in 
or from the area known as the Mid-Atlantic Access Area unless the 
vessel is participating in, and complies with the requirements of, the 
area access program described in Sec.  648.60. The Mid-Atlantic Access 
Area is comprised of the following scallop access areas: The Delmarva 
Scallop Access Area, as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section; 
the Elephant Trunk Scallop Access Area, as described in paragraph 
(a)(3) of this section; and the Hudson Canyon Scallop Access Area, as 
described in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.
    (2) Delmarva Scallop Access Area. The Delmarva Scallop Access 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DMV1...........................  38[deg]10' N.        74[deg]50' W.
DMV2...........................  38[deg]10' N.        74[deg]00' W.
DMV3...........................  37[deg]15' N.        74[deg]00' W.
DMV4...........................  37[deg]15' N.        74[deg]50' W.
DMV1...........................  38[deg]10' N.        74[deg]50' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) Season. A vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops in or from the area known as the Delmarva Sea 
Scallop Access Area, described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, 
during the period of March 1, 2016, through March 31, 2016.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) Elephant Trunk Scallop Access Area. The Elephant Trunk Scallop 
Access 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ETAA1..........................  38[deg]30' N.        74[deg]20' W.
ETAA2..........................  38[deg]30' N.        73[deg]50' W.
ETAA3..........................  38[deg]40' N.        73[deg]50' W.
ETAA4..........................  38[deg]40' N.        73[deg]40' W.
ETAA5..........................  38[deg]50' N.        73[deg]40' W.
ETAA6..........................  38[deg]50' N.        73[deg]30' W.
ETAA7..........................  38[deg]10' N.        73[deg]30' W.
ETAA8..........................  38[deg]10' N.        74[deg]20' W.
ETAA1..........................  38[deg]30' N.        74[deg]20' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (4) Hudson Canyon Scallop Access Area. The Hudson Canyon Scallop 
Access 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H1.............................  39[deg]30' N.        73[deg]10' W.
H2.............................  39[deg]30' N.        72[deg]30' W.
H3.............................  38[deg]30' N.        73[deg]30' W.
H4.............................  38[deg]50' N.        73[deg]30' W.
H5.............................  38[deg]50' N.        73[deg]42' W.
H1.............................  39[deg]30' N.        73[deg]10' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Closed Area I Scallop Access Area. (1) From March 1, 2015, 
through February 28, 2017 (i.e., fishing years 2015 and 2016), a vessel 
issued a scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in 
or from, the area known as the Closed Area I Scallop Access Area, 
described in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, unless transiting in 
accordance with paragraph (f) of this section. A vessel issued both a 
NE multispecies permit and an LAGC scallop permit may not fish in an 
approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the 
scallop access area, unless it complies with restrictions in paragraph 
(b)(5)(ii)(C) of this section.
* * * * *

[[Page 22133]]

    (3) The Closed Area I Scallop Access 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), and so that the line connecting points CAIA3 and CAIA4 
is the same as the portion of the western boundary line of Closed Area 
I, defined in Sec.  648.81(a)(1), that lies between points CAIA3 and 
CAIA4:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  Latitude          Longitude      Note
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIA1........................  41[deg]26' N.     68[deg]30' W.
CAIA2........................  40[deg]58' N.     68[deg]30' W.
CAIA3........................  40[deg]54.95' N.  68[deg]53.37' W.  (\1\)
CAIA4........................  41[deg]04' N.     69[deg]01' W.     (\1\)
CAIA1........................  41[deg]26' N.     68[deg]30' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ From Point CAIA3 to Point CAIA4 along the western boundary of Closed
  Area I, defined in Sec.   648.81(a)(1).

* * * * *
    (c) Closed Area II Scallop Access Area. (1) From March 1, 2015, 
through February 28, 2017 (i.e., fishing years 2015 and 2016), a vessel 
issued a scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in 
or from, the area known as the Closed Area II Access Area, described in 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, unless transiting in accordance with 
paragraph (f) of this section. A vessel issued both a NE multispecies 
permit and an LAGC scallop permit may not fish in an approved SAP under 
Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the scallop access area, 
unless it complies with restrictions in paragraph (c)(5)(ii)(C) of this 
section.
    (2) [Reserved]
    (3) The Closed Area II Scallop Access Area is defined by straight 
lines, except where noted, 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      Note
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIIA1.......................  41[deg]00' N.     67[deg]20' W.
CAIIA2.......................  41[deg]00' N.     66[deg]35.8' W.
CAIIA3.......................  41[deg]18.45' N.  (\1\)             (\2\)
CAIIA4.......................  41[deg]30' N.     (\3\)             (\2\)
CAIIA5.......................  41[deg]30' N.     67[deg]20' W.
CAIIA1.......................  41[deg]00' N.     67[deg]20' W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada
  Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]18.45' N. lat. and
  66[deg]24.89' W. long.
\2\ From Point CAIIA3 connected to Point CAIIA4 along the U.S.-Canada
  Maritime Boundary.
\3\ The intersection of 41[deg]30' N. lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime
  Boundary, approximately 41[deg]30' N. lat., 66[deg]34.73' W. long.

* * * * *
    (d) Nantucket Lightship Scallop Access Area. (1) From March 1, 
2015, through February 28, 2017 (i.e., fishing years 2015 and 2016), a 
vessel issued a scallop permit may not fish for, possess, or land 
scallops in or from the area known as the Nantucket Lightship Access 
Area, described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, unless transiting 
pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section. A vessel issued both a NE 
multispecies permit and an LAGC scallop permit may not fish in an 
approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the 
scallop access area, unless it complies with restrictions in paragraph 
(d)(5)(ii)(C) of this section.
* * * * *

0
9. In Sec.  648.60, paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(3), (a)(5)(i), (a)(9), (c), 
(e)(1), and (g)(3)(i) are revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.60  Sea scallop access area program requirements.

    (a) * * *
    (1) VMS. Each vessel participating in the Sea Scallop Access Area 
Program must have installed on board an operational VMS unit that meets 
the minimum performance criteria specified in Sec. Sec.  648.9 and 
648.10, and paragraphs (a)(9) and (f) of this section.
* * * * *
    (3) Sea Scallop Access Area Allocations--(i) Limited access vessel 
allocations. (A) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, 
paragraphs (a)(3)(i)(B) through (E) of this section specify the total 
amount of scallops, in weight, that a limited access scallop vessel may 
harvest from Sea Scallop Access Areas during applicable seasons 
specified in Sec.  648.59. A vessel may not possess or land in excess 
of its scallop allocation assigned to specific Sea Scallop Access 
Areas, unless authorized by the Regional Administrator, as specified in 
paragraph (d) of this section, unless the vessel owner has exchanged an 
area-specific scallop allocation with another vessel owner for 
additional scallop allocation in that area, as specified in paragraph 
(a)(3)(ii) of this section. A vessel may harvest its scallop 
allocation, as specified in paragraph (a)(3)(i)(B) of this section, on 
any number of trips in a given fishing year, provided that no single 
trip exceeds the possession limits specified in paragraph (a)(5) of 
this section, unless authorized by the Regional Administrator, as 
specified in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section,
    (B) Full-time scallop vessels. (1) In fishing year 2015, each full-
time vessel shall have a total of 51,000 lb (23,133 kg) of scallops 
that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in 
Sec.  648.59(a).
    (2) For the 2016 fishing year, each full-time vessel shall have a 
total of 17,000 lb (7,711 kg) of scallops that may be harvested from 
the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec.  648.59(a), starting 
on April 1, 2016.
    (C) Part-time scallop vessels. (1) For the 2015 fishing year, each 
part-time scallop vessel shall have a total of 20,400 lb (9,253 kg) of 
scallop that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as 
defined in Sec.  648.59(a).
    (2) For the 2015 fishing year, each part-time scallop vessel shall 
have a total of 10,200 lb (4,627 kg) of scallop that may be harvested 
from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec.  648.59(a), 
starting on April 1, 2016.
    (D) Occasional scallop vessels. (1) For the 2015 fishing year, each 
occasional scallop vessel shall have a total of 4,250 lb (1,928 kg) of 
scallop that may be harvested from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as 
defined in Sec.  648.59(a).
    (2) For the 2016 fishing year, each occasional scallop vessel shall 
have a total of 1,420 lb (644 kg) of scallop that may be harvested from 
the Mid-Atlantic Access Area, as defined in Sec.  648.59(a), starting 
on April 1, 2016.
    (ii) One-for-one area access allocation exchanges. 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 Sea Scallop Access 
Area. These exchanges may only be made for the amount of the current 
trip possession limit, as specified in paragraph (a)(5) of this 
section. For example, if the access area trip possession limit for 
full-time vessels is 17,000 lb (7,711 kg), a full-time vessel may 
exchange no less than 17,000 lb (7,711 kg), from one access area for no 
more or less than 17,000 lb (7,711 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

[[Page 22134]]

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.
* * * * *
    (5) Possession and landing limits--(i) Scallop possession limits. 
Unless authorized by the Regional Administrator, as specified in 
paragraph (d) of this section, after declaring a trip into a Sea 
Scallop Access Area, a vessel owner or operator of a limited access 
scallop vessel may fish for, possess, and land, per trip, scallops, up 
to the maximum amounts specified in the table in this paragraph (a)(5). 
No vessel declared into the Access Areas as described in Sec.  
648.59(a) through (e) may possess more than 50 bu (17.62 hL) of in-
shell scallops outside of the Access Areas described in Sec.  648.59(a) 
through (e).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Permit category possession limit
             Fishing year             --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Full-time                Part-time                Occasional
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015.................................  17,000 lb (57,711 kg)..  10,200 lb (4,627 kg)...  1,420 lb (644 kg).
2016.................................  17,000 lb (57,711 kg)..  10,200 lb (4,627 kg)...  1,420 lb (644 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (9) Reporting. The owner or operator must submit scallop catch 
reports through the VMS, as specified in Sec.  648.10(f)(4)(i), and 
limited access scallop access area pre-landing notification forms, as 
specified in Sec.  648.10(f)(4)(iii).
* * * * *
    (c) Access area scallop allocation carryover. Unless otherwise 
specified in Sec.  648.59, a limited access scallop vessel operator may 
fish any unharvested Scallop Access Area allocation from a given 
fishing year within the first 60 days of the subsequent fishing year if 
the Access Area is open. For example, if a full-time vessel has 7,000 
lb (3,175 kg) remaining in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area at the end of 
fishing year 2015, that vessel may harvest 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) from its 
2016 fishing year scallop access area allocation during the first 60 
days that the Mid-Atlantic Access Area is open in fishing year 2016 
(March 1, 2016, through April 29, 2017). Unless otherwise specified in 
Sec.  648.59, if an Access Area is not open in the subsequent fishing 
year, then the unharvested scallop allocation would expire at the end 
of the fishing year that the scallops were allocated.
* * * * *
    (e) Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Harvest in Access Areas--(1) 
Access Areas available for harvest of research set-aside (RSA). Unless 
otherwise specified, RSA may be harvested in any access area that is 
open in a given fishing year, as specified through a 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 2015 and 2016 are:
    (i) 2015: The Mid-Atlantic Scallop Access Area, as specified in 
Sec.  648.59(a).
    (ii) 2016: None.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (3) LAGC IFQ Access Area Trips. (i) An LAGC scallop vessel 
authorized to fish in the Access Areas specified in Sec.  648.59(a) 
through (e) may land scallops, subject to the possession limit 
specified in Sec.  648.52(a), unless the Regional Administrator has 
issued a notice that the number of LAGC IFQ access area trips have been 
or are projected to be taken. The total number of LAGC IFQ trips in a 
specified Access Area for fishing year 2015 and 2016 are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Access area                         2015     2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Atlantic Access Area..............................    2,065      602
Closed Area 1.........................................        0        0
Closed Area 2.........................................        0        0
Nantucket Lightship...................................        0        0
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
10. In Sec.  648.61, paragraph (a)(4) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.61  EFH closed areas.

    (a) * * *
    (4) Closed Area I Habitat Closure Areas. The restrictions specified 
in paragraph (a) of this section apply to the Closed Area I Habitat 
Closure Areas, Closed Area I-North and Closed Area I-South, which are 
the areas bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in 
the order stated, and so that the lines connecting Point CIN4 to Point 
CIN1, and Point CIS4 to Point CIS1 is the same as the portion of the 
western boundary line of Closed Area I, defined in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this section, that lies between those points:

                Closed Area I--North Habitat Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  Latitude          Longitude      Note
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CIN1.........................  41[deg]30' N.     69[deg]23' W.
CIN2.........................  41[deg]30' N.     68[deg]30' W.
CIN3.........................  41[deg]26' N.     68[deg]30' W.
CIN4.........................  41[deg]04' N.     69[deg]01' W.     (\1\)
CIN1.........................  41[deg]30' N.     69[deg]23' W.     (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ From Point CIN4 back to Point CIN1 along the western boundary of
  Closed Area I, defined in Sec.   648.81(a)(1).


                Closed Area I--South Habitat Closure Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Point                  Latitude          Longitude     Notes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CIS1.........................  40[deg]54.95' N.  68[deg]53.37' W.
CIS2.........................  40[deg]58' N.     68[deg]30' W.
CIS3.........................  40[deg]45' N.     68[deg]30' W.
CIS4.........................  40[deg]45' N.     68[deg]45' W.     (\1\)
CIS1.........................  40[deg]54.95' N.  68[deg]53.37' W.  (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ From Point CIS4 back to Point CIS1 along the western boundary of
  Closed Area I, defined in Sec.   648.81(a)(1).

* * * * *

0
11. In Sec.  648.64, paragraph (a) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  648.64  Yellowtail flounder sub-ACLs and AMs for the scallop 
fishery.

    (a) As specified in Sec.  648.55(d), and pursuant to the biennial 
framework adjustment process specified in Sec.  648.90, the scallop 
fishery shall be allocated a sub-ACL for the Georges Bank and Southern 
New England/Mid-Atlantic stocks of yellowtail flounder. The sub-ACLs 
are specified in Sec.  648.90(a)(4)(iii)(C) of the NE multispecies 
regulations.
* * * * *

0
12. In Sec.  648.65, paragraph (b)(3)(ii) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.65  Windowpane flounder sub-ACLs and AMs for the scallop 
fishery.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *

[[Page 22135]]

    (3) * * *
    (ii) The maximum hanging ratio for a net, net material, or any 
other material on the top of a scallop dredge (twine top) possessed or 
used by vessels fishing with scallop dredge gear does not exceed 1.5:1 
overall. An overall hanging ratio of 1.5:1 means that the twine top is 
attached to the rings in a pattern of alternating 2 meshes per ring and 
1 mesh per ring (counted at the bottom where the twine top connects to 
the apron), for an overall average of 1.5 meshes per ring for the 
entire width of the twine top. For example, an apron that is 40 rings 
wide subtracting 5 rings one each side of the side pieces, yielding 30 
rings, would only be able to use a twine top with 45 or fewer meshes so 
that the overall ratio of meshes to rings did not exceed 1.5 (45 
meshes/30 rings = 1.5).
* * * * *

[FR Doc. 2015-09199 Filed 4-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P