Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 32 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan, 17754-17766 [2020-06599]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 62 (Tuesday, March 31, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17754-17766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06599]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No.: 200325-0088]
RIN 0648-BJ51


Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 
32 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS approves and implements Framework Adjustment 32 to the 
Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. This action is necessary 
to set scallop specifications and other measures for fishing years 2020 
and 2021, and implement measures to protect small scallops and reduce 
bycatch of flatfish. This action is intended to prevent overfishing and 
improve both yield-per-recruit and the overall management of the 
Atlantic sea scallop resource.

DATES: Effective April 1, 2020.

ADDRESSES: The New England Fishery Management Council developed an 
environmental assessment for this action that describes the measures in 
Framework Adjustment 32 and other considered alternatives and analyzes 
the impacts of the measures and alternatives. Copies of Framework 32, 
the environmental assessment, the Initial Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis (IRFA), and information on the economic impacts of this 
rulemaking are available upon request from Thomas A. Nies, Executive 
Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, 
Newburyport, MA 01950 and accessible via the internet in documents 
available at: https://www.nefmc.org/library/framework-32.
    Copies of the small entity compliance guide are available from 
Michael Pentony, 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 New England Fishery Management Council adopted Framework 32 to 
the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP) on December 5, 
2019. The Council submitted an environmental assessment to NMFS on 
March 6, 2020, for approval. NMFS published a proposed rule for 
Framework 32 on February 20, 2020 (85 FR 9705). To help ensure that the 
final rule would be implemented before April 1, 2020, the start of the 
fishing year, the proposed rule included a 15-day public comment period 
that closed on March 6, 2020.
    NMFS has approved all of the measures in Framework 32 recommended 
by the Council, as described below. This final rule implements 
Framework 32, which sets scallop specifications and other measures for 
fishing years 2020 and 2021, including changes to the catch, effort, 
and quota allocations and adjustments to the rotational area management 
program for fishing year 2020, measures to reduce bycatch of flatfish, 
and default specifications for fishing year 2021. The Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) allows 
NMFS to approve, partially approve, or disapprove measures proposed by 
the Council based on whether the measures are consistent with the FMP, 
the Magnuson-Stevens Act and its National Standards, and other 
applicable law. NMFS generally defers to the Council's policy choices 
unless there is a clear inconsistency with the law or the FMP. Details 
concerning the development of these measures were contained in the 
preamble of the proposed rule and are not repeated here. This final 
rule also addresses regulatory text that is unnecessary, outdated, or 
unclear consistent with section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

Specification of Scallop Overfishing Limit (OFL), Acceptable Biological 
Catch (ABC), Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), Annual Catch Targets (ACTs), 
Annual Projected Landings (APLs) and Set-Asides for the 2020 Fishing 
Year, and Default Specifications for Fishing Year 2021

    The Council set the OFL based on a fishing mortality (F) of 0.64, 
equivalent to the F threshold updated through the Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center's most recent scallop benchmark stock assessment that 
was completed in August 2018. The ABC and the equivalent total ACL for 
each fishing year are based on an F of 0.51, which is the F associated 
with a 25-percent probability of exceeding the OFL. The Council's 
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommended scallop fishery 
ABCs of 100.1 million lb (45,414 mt) for 2020 and 80.3 million lb 
(36,435 mt) for the 2021 fishing year, after accounting for discards 
and incidental mortality. The SSC will reevaluate and potentially 
adjust the ABC for 2021 when the Council develops the next framework 
adjustment.
    Table 1 outlines the scallop fishery catch limits derived from the 
ABC values and the projected landings of the fleet.

[[Page 17755]]



 Table 1--Scallop Catch Limits (mt) for Fishing Years 2020 and 2021 for
the Limited Access and Limited Access General Category (LAGC) IFQ Fleets
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Catch limits                   2020 (mt)     2021 (mt) \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overfishing Limit.......................          56,186          47,503
Acceptable Biological Catch/ACL                   45,414          36,435
 (discards removed).....................
Incidental Catch........................              23              23
Research Set-Aside (RSA)................             567             567
Observer Set-Aside......................             454             364
ACL for fishery.........................          44,370          35,481
Limited Access ACL......................          41,930          33,530
LAGC Total ACL..........................           2,440           1,951
LAGC IFQ ACL (5 percent of ACL).........           2,219           1,774
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ ACL (0.5                222             177
 percent of ACL)........................
Limited Access ACT......................          37,819          30,242
APL (after set-asides removed)..........          22,370           (\1\)
Limited Access Projected Landings (94.5           21,140           (\1\)
 percent of APL)........................
Total IFQ Annual Allocation (5.5 percent           1,230             923
 of APL) \2\............................
LAGC IFQ Annual Allocation (5 percent of           1,119             839
 APL) \2\...............................
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ Annual                  112              84
 Allocation (0.5 percent of APL) \2\....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The catch limits for the 2021 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. This
  includes the setting of an APL for 2021 that will be based on the 2020
  annual scallop surveys.
\2\ As a precautionary measure, the 2021 IFQ annual allocations are set
  at 75 percent of the 2020 IFQ Annual Allocations.

    This action deducts 1.25 million lb (567 mt) of scallops annually 
for 2020 and 2021 from the ABC for use as the Scallop RSA to fund 
scallop research. Participating vessels are compensated through the 
sale of scallops harvested under RSA projects. Of the 1.25 million-lb 
(567-mt) allocation, NMFS has already allocated 86,953 lb (39,441 kg) 
to previously funded multi-year projects as part of the 2019 RSA awards 
process. NMFS reviewed proposals submitted for consideration of 2020 
RSA awards and announced project selections on March 11, 2020. Details 
on the 2020 RSA awards can be found on our website here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-mid-atlantic/science-data/2020-2021-sea-scallop-and-monkfish-research-set-aside.
    This action also deducts 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-aside is 454 mt for 2020 and 364 mt 
for 2021. In fishing year 2020, the compensation rates for limited 
access vessels in open areas fishing under days-at-sea (DAS) is 0.12 
DAS per DAS fished. For access area trips, the compensation rate is 250 
lb (113 kg), 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 250 lb (113 kg) per trip 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 
Council may adjust the 2021 observer set-aside when it develops 
specific, non-default measures for 2021.

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 2020 and 2021 (Table 2). The 2020 
DAS allocations are the same as those allocated to the limited access 
fleet in 2019. Framework 32 sets 2021 DAS allocations at 75 percent of 
fishing year 2020 DAS allocations as a precautionary measure. This is 
to avoid over-allocating DAS to the fleet in the event that the 2021 
specifications action is delayed past the start of the 2021 fishing 
year. The allocations in Table 2 exclude any DAS deductions that are 
required if the limited access scallop fleet exceeds its 2019 sub-ACL.

      Table 2--Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations for 2020 and 2021
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 2021
                Permit category                     2020      (default)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time.....................................        24.00        18.00
Part-Time.....................................         9.60         7.20
Occasional....................................         2.00         1.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Changes to Fishing Year 2020 Sea Scallop Access Area Boundaries

    For fishing year 2020 and the start of 2021, Framework 32 keeps the 
Mid-Atlantic Access Area (MAAA) and Closed Area I Access Area (CAI) 
open as access areas. In addition, this action opens three new areas, 
i.e., Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep Access Area (NLS-S-D) (Table 3), 
Nantucket Lightship-North Access Area (NLS-N) (Table 4), and Closed 
Area II Access Area (CAII) (Table 5). The boundaries for these areas 
will change slightly compared to previous years to better direct 
fishing on the scallops intended for harvest, to protect small 
scallops, and to reduce flatfish bycatch.

       Table 3--Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep Scallop Access Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLSSD1..................................      40[deg]22'      69[deg]30'
NLSSD2..................................      40[deg]15'      69[deg]30'
NLSSD3..................................      40[deg]15'      69[deg]00'
NLSSD4..................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]00'
NLSSD5..................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]17'
NLSSD1..................................      40[deg]22'      69[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------


         Table 4--Nantucket Lightship-North Scallop Access Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLSN1...................................      40[deg]50'      69[deg]30'
NLSH2...................................      40[deg]50'      69[deg]00'
NLSN3...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]00'
NLSN4...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]30'
NLSN1...................................      40[deg]50'      69[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 17756]]


                                   Table 5--Closed Area II Scallop Access Area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Point                                 N latitude      W longitude        Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIIA1..........................................................      41[deg]30'      67[deg]20'  ..............
CAIIA2..........................................................      41[deg]11'      67[deg]20'  ..............
CAIIA3..........................................................      41[deg]11'      66[deg]41'  ..............
CAIIA4..........................................................      41[deg]00'      66[deg]41'  ..............
CAIIA5..........................................................      41[deg]00'           (\1\)           (\2\)
CAIIA6..........................................................      41[deg]30'           (\3\)           (\2\)
CAIIA1..........................................................      41[deg]30'      67[deg]20'  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 41[deg]00' N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]00' N lat.
  and 66[deg]09.33' W long.
\2\ From Point CAIIA5 connected to Point CAIIA6 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.

Fishing Year 2020 Sea Scallop Closed Area Boundaries

    Framework 32 closes three areas to scallop fishing for various 
reasons. This action closes the Closed Area II-Southwest and Extension 
Scallop Rotational Area (Table 6) to scallop fishing. Closing this area 
will protect small scallops that have not yet recruited to the fishery. 
In addition, closing this area is expected to reduce bycatch of Georges 
Bank yellowtail flounder and northern windowpane flounder on Georges 
Bank.

                      Table 6--Closed Area II--Southwest and Extension Scallop Closed Area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Point                                 N latitude      W longitude        Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIISWE1........................................................      41[deg]11'      67[deg]20'  ..............
CAIISWE2........................................................      41[deg]11'      66[deg]41'  ..............
CAIISWE3........................................................       41[deg]0'      66[deg]41'  ..............
CAIISWE4........................................................       41[deg]0'           (\1\)           (\2\)
CAIISWE5........................................................      40[deg]40'           (\3\)           (\2\)
CAIISWE6........................................................      40[deg]40'      67[deg]20'  ..............
CAIISWE1........................................................      41[deg]11'      67[deg]20'  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 41[deg]0' N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]0' N lat.
  and 66[deg]09.33' W long.
\2\ From Point CAIISWE 4 connected to Point CAIISWE5 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.
\3\ The intersection of 40[deg]40' N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 40[deg]40' N lat.
  and 65[deg]52.61' W long.

    This action also closes the Nantucket Lightship-Triangle Scallop 
Rotational Area (Table 7). The Council is closing this area because it 
is a small area with low scallop densities that could be used for 
research purposes in the absence of fishing.

        Table 7--Nantucket Lightship-Triangle Scallop Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLST1...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]30'
NLST2...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]17'
NLST3...................................      40[deg]22'      69[deg]30'
NLST1...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, Framework 32 closes the Stellwagen Bank Scallop Rotational 
Area (Table 8) through fishing year 2021. This closure protects a 
substantial number of small scallops that have not recruited into the 
fishery. This closure will be re-assessed after 1 year to confirm that 
it is protecting small scallops, as intended, and improving yield-per-
recruit. In addition, closing this area is expected reduce bycatch of 
northern windowpane flounder on Stellwagen Bank.

              Table 8--Stellwagen Bank Scallop Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB1.....................................      42[deg]26'      70[deg]27'
SB2.....................................      42[deg]26'      70[deg]15'
SB3.....................................      42[deg]20'      70[deg]15'
SB4.....................................      42[deg]20'      70[deg]27'
SB1.....................................      42[deg]26'      70[deg]27'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Areas Reverting to Open Area

    Framework 32 opens two areas previously managed as part of the area 
rotation program because they no longer meet the criteria for either 
closure or controlled access, specifically the Nantucket Lightship-
Hatchet Scallop Rotational Area and the Nantucket Lightship-West (NLS-
W) Scallop Rotational Area. These areas will become part of the open 
area and can be fished as part of the DAS program or on LAGC IFQ trips. 
Because fishing year 2019 carryover access area fishing will continue 
in NLS-W until May 30, 2020, this area will not revert to open area 
until May 31, 2020.

Extension of CAII Seasonal Closure To Mitigate Flatfish Bycatch

    Framework 32 extends the existing seasonal closure in CAII an 
additional 15 days to reduce bycatch of northern windowpane flounder 
and Georges Bank yellowtail flounder. The previous seasonal closure in 
CAII occurs from August 15-November 15 of each year. This action 
extends that closure for 15 additional days from August 15-November 30 
for the 2020 fishing year only.

Full-Time Limited Access Allocations and Trip Possession Limits for 
Scallop Access Areas

    Table 9 provides the limited access full-time allocations for all 
of the access areas for the 2020 fishing year and the first 60 days of 
the 2021 fishing year. These allocations can be landed in as many trips 
as needed, so long as vessels do not exceed the possession limit (also 
in Table 9) on any one trip.

[[Page 17757]]



   Table 9--Scallop Access Area Full-Time Limited Access Vessel Poundage Allocations and Trip Possession Limits
                                                for 2020 and 2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Scallop possession          2020 Scallop       2021 Scallop allocation
        Rotational access area                  limit                  allocation               (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area I Flex \1\...............  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)     9,000 lb (4,082 kg)....  0 lb (0 kg).
                                        per trip.
Closed Area II                                                  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)...  0 lb (0 kg).
Nantucket Lightship-North                                       9,000 lb (4,082 kg)....  0 lb (0 kg).
Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep                                  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)...  0 lb (0 kg).
Mid-Atlantic                                                    36,000 lb (16,329 kg)..  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total............................  .......................  90,000 lb (40,823 kg)..  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Closed Area I flex allocation could be landed from either Closed Area I or the Mid-Atlantic Access Area.

Closed Area I Flex Allocation

    Framework 32 allocates 9,000 lb (4,082 kg) of flexible allocation 
(flex allocation) in CAI to limited access full-time vessels (Table 9). 
Because of uncertainty about the condition of the resource in CAI, a 
full-time limited access vessel may choose to land its CAI allocation 
from either CAI or the MAAA for the 2020 fishing year and the first 60 
days of the 2021 fishing year. For example, a vessel could take a trip 
in CAI and land 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) from that area, leaving the vessel 
with 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) of the CAI flex allocation available, which 
could be landed from the MAAA, provided the 18,000-lb (8,165-kg) 
possession limit is not exceeded on any one trip. Framework 32 does not 
allocate any flex allocation to part-time limited access vessels.

Changes to the Full-Time Limited Access Vessels' One-for-One Access 
Area Allocation Exchanges

    Framework 32 allocates each full-time limited access vessel 9,000 
lb (4,082 kg) of allocation to both CAI and NLS-N. To accommodate one-
for-one access area allocation changes among all available access 
areas, this action allows full-time limited access vessels to exchange 
access area allocation in 9,000-lb (4,082-kg) increments. The owner of 
a vessel issued a full-time limited access scallop permit may exchange 
unharvested scallop pounds allocated into an access area for another 
full-time limited access vessel's unharvested scallop pounds allocated 
into another access area. For example, a full-time vessel may exchange 
9,000 lb (4,082 kg), from one access area for 9,000 lb (4,082 kg) 
allocated to another full-time vessel for another access area. Further, 
a full-time vessel may exchange 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) from one access 
area for 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) allocated to another full-time vessel for 
another access area. One-for-one access area allocations for part-time 
limited access vessels remain unchanged and must occur in the 
increments of a possession limit, i.e., 12,000 lb (5,443 kg).

Changes to the Crew Restrictions for Trips in Nantucket Lightship-
South-Deep Access Area

    The scallops in the NLS-S-D are expected to have lower yield than 
similar sized scallops in other areas. Because these scallops are 
smaller than those normally harvested in the area rotation program, 
Framework 32 allows two additional crew members aboard both limited 
access full-time (10 in total) and limited access full-time small 
dredge vessels (8 in total). This allows vessels to add additional crew 
members to increase the shucking capacity of the vessel and reach the 
possession limit in a time more consistent with other access areas.

Part-Time Limited Access Allocations and Trip Possession Limits for 
Scallop Access Areas

    Table 10 provides the limited access part-time allocations for all 
of the access areas for the 2020 fishing year and the first 60 days of 
the 2021 fishing year. These allocations can be landed in as many trips 
as needed, so long as the vessels do not exceed the possession limit 
(also in Table 10) on any one trip.

  Table 10--Scallop Access Area Part-Time Limited Access Vessel Poundage Allocations and Trip Possession Limits
                                                for 2020 and 2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Scallop possession                             2021 Scallop allocation
        Rotational access area                  limit           2020 Scallop allocation         (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area II.......................  12,000 lb (5,443 kg)     12,000 lb (5,443 kg)...  0 lb (0 kg).
                                        per trip.
Mid-Atlantic                                                    24,000 lb (10,886 kg)..  7,200 lb (3,266 kg).
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total............................  .......................  36,000 lb (16,329 kg)..  7,200 lb (3,266 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Payback Measures for 2020 Default Poundage Allocations in NLS-W

    Framework 32 does not allocate effort into the NLS-W, but instead 
reverts NLS-W to part of the open area. If NMFS implements these 
Framework 32 measures after the April 1 start of fishing year 2020, 
default access area allocations, which were established in Framework 30 
to the Scallop FMP (84 FR 11436; March 27, 2019) will go into place on 
April 1. Full-time vessels will receive 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) of NLS-W 
allocation and part-time vessels will receive 7,200 lb (3,266 kg) of 
NLS-W allocation. Because of this discrepancy, this action sets payback 
measures intended to disincentivize vessels from fishing in NLS-W using 
2020 default allocations.
    If Framework 32 implementation is delayed, and a vessel fishes any 
of its fishing year 2020 default NLS-W access area allocation 
established through Framework 30, that vessel will lose its CAII 
allocation established through Framework 32. This does not prohibit 
vessels from fishing the remainder of their fishing year 2019 NLS-W 
allocation during the first 60 days of

[[Page 17758]]

fishing year 2020. If Framework 32 is delayed, NMFS will notify all 
limited access permit holders of these payback measures and other 
fishing year 2020 default allocations.

LAGC Measures

    1. ACL and IFQ Allocation for LAGC Vessels with IFQ Permits. For 
LAGC vessels with IFQ permits, this action implements a 2,219-mt ACL 
for 2020 and a 1,774-mt default ACL for 2021 (see Table 1). These sub-
ACLs have no associated regulatory or management requirements, but 
provide a ceiling on overall landings by the LAGC IFQ fleets. The 
annual allocation to the LAGC IFQ-only fleet for fishing years 2020 and 
2021 based on APL is 1,119 mt for 2020 and 839 mt for 2021 (see Table 
1). Each vessel's IFQ is calculated from these allocations based on 
APL.
    2. ACL and IFQ Allocation for Limited Access Scallop Vessels with 
IFQ Permits. For limited access scallop vessels with IFQ permits, this 
action implements a 222-mt ACL for 2020 and a default 177-mt ACL for 
2021 (see Table 1). These sub-ACLs have no associated regulatory or 
management requirements, but provide a ceiling on overall landings by 
this fleet. If the fleet were to reach this ceiling, any overages would 
be deducted from the following year's sub-ACL. The annual allocation to 
limited access vessels with IFQ permits is 112 mt for 2020 and 84 mt 
for 2021 (see Table 1). Each vessel's IFQ is calculated from these 
allocations based on APL.
    3. LAGC IFQ Trip Allocations for Scallop Access Areas. Framework 32 
allocates LAGC IFQ vessels a fleet-wide number of trips in CAI, NLS-N, 
NLS-S-D, and MAAA for fishing year 2020 and default trips in the MAAA 
for fishing year 2021 (see Table 11). The scallop catch associated with 
the total number of trips for all areas combined (2,855 trips) for 
fishing year 2020 is equivalent to the 5.5 percent of total projected 
catch from access areas.

   Table 11--Fishing Years 2020 and 2021 LAGC IFQ Trip Allocations for
                          Scallop Access Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Scallop access area                 2020          2021 \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area I...........................             571               0
Nantucket Lightship-North...............             571               0
Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep..........             571               0
Mid-Atlantic............................           1,142             571
                                         -------------------------------
    Total...............................           2,855             571
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The LAGC IFQ access area trip allocations for the 2021 fishing year
  are subject to change through a future specifications action or
  framework adjustment.

    4. Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Total Allowable Catch (TAC). This 
action implements a 350,000-lb (158,757-kg) NGOM TAC for fishing year 
2020 and a 265,000-lb (120,202-kg) default NGOM TAC for fishing year 
2021. The final rule for NGOM portions of Framework 29 (83 FR 12857; 
March 26, 2019) developed a methodology for splitting the NGOM TAC 
between the LAGC and the limited access fleets. Framework 32 continues 
splitting the TAC using this methodology. The limited access portion of 
the TAC may only be fished by vessels participating in the RSA program 
that are participating in a project that has been allocated NGOM RSA 
allocation. The LAGC portion of the TAC may be fished by NGOM and LAGC 
IFQ vessels on trips with a 200-lb (90.7-kg) possession limit until the 
TAC has been harvested. Table 12 describes the division of the TAC for 
the 2020 and 2021 (default) fishing years.
    During the 2018 fishing year the LAGC fleet exceeded its portion of 
the NGOM TAC by 3,718 lb (1,686 kg). This triggers a pound-for-pound 
deduction to the LAGC portion of the NGOM TAC to account for the 
overage. Because final catch accounting data for the 2018 fishing year 
was not available in time to implement this deduction in the 2019 
fishing year, the LAGC portion of the NGOM TAC for the 2020 fishing 
year is reduced by 3,718 lb (1,686 kg) to account for the overage. The 
resulting LAGC NGOM TAC is 206,282 lb (93,567 kg) and the total 2020 
NGOM TAC is 346,282 lb (157,071 kg).

                               Table 12--NGOM TACs for Fishing Year 2020 and 2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               2020                          2021 \1\
                      Fleet                      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        lb              kg              lb              kg
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAGC............................................         206,282          93,567         167,500          75,977
Limited access..................................         140,000          63,503          97,500          44,225
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................         346,282         157,071         265,000         120,202
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The NGOM TACs for the 2021 fishing year are subject to change through a future specifications action or
  framework adjustment.

    5. Scallop Incidental Catch Target TAC. This action implements a 
50,000-lb (22,680-kg) scallop incidental catch target TAC for fishing 
years 2020 and 2021 to account for mortality from vessels that catch 
scallops while fishing for other species and 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.

RSA Harvest Restrictions

    This action allows vessels participating in RSA projects to harvest 
RSA compensation from the MAAA and the open area. All vessels are 
prohibited from harvesting RSA compensation pounds in all other access 
areas. Vessels are prohibited from fishing for RSA compensation in the 
NGOM unless the vessel is fishing an RSA compensation trip using NGOM 
RSA allocation that was awarded to an RSA project. Finally, Framework 
32 prohibits the harvest of RSA from any access areas under default 
2021 measures. At the start of

[[Page 17759]]

2021, RSA compensation may only be harvested from open areas. The 
Council will re-evaluate this default prohibition measure in the action 
that would set final 2021 specifications.

Regulatory Corrections Under Regional Administrator Authority

    This rule includes eight revisions to address regulatory text that 
is unnecessary, outdated, or unclear. These revisions are consistent 
with section 305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which provides 
authority to the Secretary of Commerce to promulgate regulations 
necessary to ensure that amendments to an FMP are carried out in 
accordance with the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The first 
revision, at Sec.  648.4(a)(2)(ii)(G)(1)(ii), corrects a typo 
referencing NGOM permits. The second revision, at Sec.  
648.10(f)(4)(ii), clarifies that vessels only need to send in a daily 
catch report through their vessel monitoring system (VMS) on trips 
greater than 24 hours. NMFS no longer requires this report on trips 
less than 24 hours because all of the information provided can be 
determined from the required pre-landing report. The third revision at 
Sec.  648.14(i)(1)(iii)(A)(4) clarifies that all NGOM vessels are 
prohibited from possessing scallops in Federal waters of the NGOM 
management area when declared into the state waters fishery exemption 
program. The fourth revision removes paragraph Sec.  648.14(i)(3)(i)(B) 
because possession limits for all LAGC vessels are clearly articulated 
in Sec.  648.14(i)(1)(iii). The fifth revision at Sec.  
648.14(i)(4)(i)(G) clarifies that LAGC IFQ vessels can possess more 
than 40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked scallops on a properly declared NE 
multispecies, surfclam, or ocean quahog trip (or other fishery 
requiring a VMS declaration) while not fishing in a scallop access 
area. The sixth revision, at Sec.  648.52(b), clarifies that LAGC 
vessels declared into the NGOM scallop fishery may not possess or land, 
per trip, more than 200 lb (90.7 kg) of shucked scallops, or possess 
more than 25 bu (8.81 hL) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS 
Demarcation Line for vessels declared into the NGOM fishery. The 
seventh revision at Sec.  648.52(c), clarifies that LAGC IFQ vessels on 
a properly declared Northeast multispecies, surfclam, or ocean quahog 
trip or other fishery requiring a VMS declaration can possess more than 
40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked scallops, or possess more than 5 bu (1.76 
hL) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS Demarcation Line. The 
final revision, at Sec.  648.53(h)(5), clarifies that LAGC IFQ permit 
owners can temporarily transfer IFQ more than once (i.e., re-transfer) 
in a given fishing year. No public comments were received on these 
regulatory corrections.

Comments and Responses

    We received three comments on the proposed rule during the public 
comment period; one that was unrelated to the proposed measures; one 
from the Fisheries Survival Fund (FSF), which represents the 
significant majority of full-time Limited Access permit holders in the 
Atlantic scallop fishery, in support of the action; and one from an 
industry member who was opposed to closing Stellwagen Bank in the NGOM. 
We are not addressing the unrelated comment in this final rule.
    Comment 1: An industry member commented that NMFS should not 
implement the closure on the portion of Stellwagen Bank because small 
boats cannot take any more restrictions.
    Response: The Council recommended the closure on Stellwagen Bank to 
protect a substantial number of small scallops that have not yet 
recruited into the fishery and intends to reopen this area in a future 
year to allow for the harvest of these scallops once they reach an 
optimum size. Further, the 2020 NGOM TAC is set based only on available 
scallops in Ipswich Bay and on Jefferys Ledge that would be available 
for harvest and not those in the Stellwagen Bank closure. The resultant 
TAC provides the highest allowable catch for the NGOM fleet in history.
    Comment 2: FSF commented in support of the action and urged that 
NMFS implement Framework 32 by April 1, 2020. FSF specifically 
acknowledged its support for the adjustments to one-for-one access area 
allocation exchanges, the opening of NLS-S-D, and the changes to the 
crew restrictions for trips in the NLS-S-D.
    Response: NMFS appreciates the comment.

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 
and other applicable law.
    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this rule 
is not significant pursuant to E.O. 12866.
    This final rule does not contain policies with federalism or 
``takings'' implications, as those terms are defined in E.O. 13132 and 
E.O. 12630, respectively.
    This action does not contain any collection-of-information 
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA).
    The Assistant Administrator for Fisheries has determined that the 
need to implement the measures of this rule in an expedited manner is 
necessary to achieve conservation objectives for the scallop fishery 
and certain fish stocks. This constitutes good cause, under authority 
contained in 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), to waive the 30-day delay in the date 
of effectiveness and to make the final Framework 32 measures effective 
on April 1, 2020.
    The 2020 fishing year begins on April 1, 2020. If Framework 32 is 
delayed beyond April 1, certain default measures, including access area 
designations, DAS, IFQ, research set-aside and observer set-aside 
allocations, would automatically be put into place. Most of these 
default allocations were set more conservatively than what would be 
implemented under Framework 32. Under default measures, each full-time 
vessel has 18 DAS and two access area trips for 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) 
each (one in the Mid-Atlantic Access Area and one in the Nantucket 
Lightship-West Access Area). However, Framework 32 will not allocate 
effort into the Nantucket Lightship-West. Framework 32 has payback 
measures should a vessel harvest any of its default allocation in this 
area. We have good cause to waive the 30-day delay in effectiveness 
because this action provides full-time vessels with an additional 6 DAS 
(24 DAS total) and 54,000 lb (24,494 kg) in access area allocations 
(90,000 lb (40,823 kg) total). Further, LAGC IFQ vessels will receive 
an additional 99-mt (1,119-mt total) allocation and 1,713 access area 
trips spread out across 4 access areas (2,855 trips total). 
Accordingly, this action prevents more restrictive aspects of the 
default measures from going into place. Framework 32 could not have 
been put into place sooner to allow for a 30-day delayed effectiveness 
because the information and data necessary for the Council to develop 
the framework was not available in time for this action to be forwarded 
to NMFS and implemented by April 1, 2020, the beginning of the scallop 
fishing year. Delaying the implementation of this action for 30 days 
would delay positive economic benefits to the scallop fleet and could 
negatively impact the access area rotation program by delaying fishing 
in access areas that should be available.
    Pursuant to section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 
NMFS has completed a final regulatory flexibility analysis (FRFA) in 
support of Framework 32. The FRFA incorporates

[[Page 17760]]

the IRFA, a summary of the significant issues raised by public comments 
in response to the IRFA, NMFS responses to those comments, a summary of 
the analyses completed in the Framework 32 environmental assessment, 
and the preamble to this final rule. 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 32 and 
in the preambles to the proposed rule and this final rule, and is not 
repeated here. All of the documents that constitute the FRFA are 
available from NMFS and/or the Council, and a copy of the IRFA, the 
Regulatory Impact Review (RIR), and the environmental assessment 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

    There were no specific comments on the IRFA or on the economic 
impacts of the rule more generally.

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, but there is no differential effect based on whether 
the affected entities are small or large. As explained in the section 
below, the regulations are expected to result in lower profits for 
small entities compared to fishing year 2019. Framework 32 provides 
extensive information on the number and size of vessels and small 
businesses that will be affected by the regulations, by port and state 
(see ADDRESSES). Fishing year 2018 data were used for this analysis 
because these data are the most recent complete data set for a fishing 
year. There were 313 vessels that held full-time limited access permits 
in 2018, including 249 dredge, 54 small-dredge, and 12 scallop trawl 
permits. In the same year, there were also 32 part-time limited access 
permits in the scallop fishery. No vessels were issued occasional 
limited access permits in 2018. NMFS issued 245 LAGC IFQ permits and 
102 LAGC NGOM permits in 2018. About 127 of the IFQ vessels and 41 NGOM 
vessels actively fished for scallops in 2018. The remaining IFQ permits 
likely leased out scallop IFQ allocations with their permits in 
Confirmation of Permit History. Section 6.6 of Framework 32 provides 
extensive information on the number and size of vessels that are 
affected by the proposed regulations, their home and principal state, 
dependency on the scallop fishery, and revenues and profits (see 
ADDRESSES).
    For RFA purposes, NMFS defines a small business in a shellfish 
fishery as a firm that is independently owned and operated with 
receipts of less than $11 million annually (see 50 CFR 200.2). 
Individually permitted vessels may hold permits for several fisheries, 
harvesting species of fish that are regulated by several different 
FMPs, even beyond those impacted by this final rule. Furthermore, 
multiple permitted vessels and/or permits may be owned by entities with 
various personal and business affiliations. For the purposes of this 
analysis, ownership entities are defined as those entities with common 
ownership as listed on the permit application. Only permits with 
identical ownership are categorized as an ownership entity. For 
example, if five permits have the same seven persons listed as co-
owners on their permit applications, those seven persons would form one 
ownership entity that holds those five permits. If two of those seven 
owners also co-own additional vessels, that ownership arrangement 
between the two owners for the additional vessels would be considered a 
separate ownership entity for the purpose of this analysis.
    On June 1 of each year, ownership entities are identified based on 
a list of all permits for the most recent complete calendar year. The 
current ownership dataset is based on the calendar year 2018 permits 
and contains average gross sales associated with those permits for 
calendar years 2016 through 2018. Matching the potentially impacted 
2018 fishing year permits described above (limited access and LAGC IFQ) 
to calendar year 2018 ownership data results in 167 distinct ownership 
entities for the limited access fleet and 95 distinct ownership 
entities for the LAGC IFQ fleet. Of these, 158 of the limited access 
distinct ownership entities and 95 LAGC IFQ entities are categorized as 
small entities. The remaining nine of the limited access and none of 
the LAGC IFQ entities are categorized as large entities. There were 41 
distinct small business entities with NGOM permits in 2018 permits.

Description of Projected Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance 
Requirements of the Final Rule

    This action contains no new collection-of-information, reporting, 
or recordkeeping requirements. There are economic impacts to small 
entities associated with this action. Those impacts are described in 
detail in Framework 32, specifically, in the IRFA (Section 7.1.2) and 
in the Economic and Social Impacts section (Section 6.6).

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 32, NMFS and the Council 
considered ways to reduce the regulatory burden on, and provide 
flexibility for, the regulated entities in this action. For instance, 
Framework 32 implements flexible allocation in CAI. This was intended 
to provide flexibility to the fleet by allowing them to fish this 
allocation in either CAI or the MAAA. In addition, Framework 32 allows 
vessels to carry 2 additional crew members aboard both limited access 
full-time (10 in total) and limited access full-time small dredge 
vessels (8 in total). This gives a vessel the flexibility to add 
additional crew members to increase the shucking capacity and reach the 
possession limit in a time more consistent with other access areas. 
Alternatives to the measures in this final rule are described in detail 
in Framework 32, which includes an EA, RIR, and IRFA (see 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. Specifically, catch limits must be derived using 
SSC-approved scientific calculations based on the Scallop FMP. 
Moreover, the limited number of alternatives available for this action 
must also be evaluated in the context of an ever-changing FMP, as the 
Council has considered numerous alternatives to mitigating measures 
every fishing year in amendments and frameworks since the establishment 
of the FMP in 1982.
    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 optimal yield. The measures implemented by this final rule 
also provide additional flexibility for fishing operations in the 
short-term.

Small Entity Compliance Guide

    Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness 
Act of 1996 states that, for each rule or group of related rules for 
which an agency is required to prepare a FRFA, the agency

[[Page 17761]]

will publish one or more guides to assist small entities in complying 
with the rule, and will designate such publications as ``small entity 
compliance guides.'' The agency will explain the actions a small entity 
is required to take to comply with a rule or group of rules. As part of 
this rulemaking process, a bulletin to permit holders that also serves 
as a small entity compliance guide was prepared. This final rule and 
the guide (i.e., bulletin) will be sent via email to the Greater 
Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office scallop email list and are available 
on the website at: https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/species/scallop/. Hard copies of the guide and this final 
rule will be available upon request (see ADDRESSES).

List of Subjects 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: March 25, 2020.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

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

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES

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

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

Subpart A--General Provisions

0
2. In Sec.  648.4, revise paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(G)(1)(ii) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.4   Vessel permits.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (G) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) NGOM and Incidental scallop permit. A vessel may be issued 
either an NGOM or Incidental scallop permit for each fishing year, and 
a vessel owner may not change his/her LAGC scallop permit category 
during the fishing year, except as specified in this paragraph 
(a)(2)(ii)(G)(1)(ii). The owners of a vessel issued a NGOM or 
Incidental scallop permit must elect a permit category in the vessel's 
permit application and shall have one opportunity each fishing year to 
request a change in its permit category by submitting an application to 
the Regional Administrator within 45 days of the effective date of the 
vessel's permit. After that date, the vessel must remain in that permit 
category for the duration of the fishing year.
* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  648.10, revise paragraph (f)(4)(i) to read as follows:


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

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) For trips greater than 24 hours, the owner or operator of a 
limited access or LAGC scallop vessel with an IFQ permit 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.  648.59(b)(9), Northern Gulf of Maine 
RSA trips, and trips accompanied by a NMFS-certified 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; and
    (D) Total pounds of all fish kept.
* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  648.14:
0
a. Add paragraphs (i)(1)(iii)(A)(4) and (5);
0
b. Remove paragraph (i)(1)(iv)(E) and remove and reserve paragraph 
(i)(3)(i)(B); and
0
c. Revise paragraph (i)(4)(i)(G).
    The additions and revision read as follows:


Sec.  648.14   Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (4) Fish for, possess, or retain scallops in Federal waters of the 
NGOM management area on a vessel that has been issued and carries on 
board a NGOM permit and has declared into the state waters fishery of 
the NGOM management area.
    (5) Fish for, possess, or retain scallops in the Stellwagen Bank 
Scallop Closed Area, as described in Sec.  648.62(e), unless transiting 
the area and the vessel's fishing gear is stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2.
* * * * *
    (4) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (G) Fish for, possess, or land more than 40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked 
scallops, or 5 bu (1.76 hL) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS 
Demarcation Line, or 10 bu (3.52 hL) of in-shell scallops seaward of 
the VMS Demarcation Line, when the vessel is not declared into the IFQ 
scallop fishery, unless the vessel is fishing in compliance with all of 
the requirements of the state waters exemption program, specified at 
Sec.  648.54, or on a properly declared NE multispecies, surfclam, or 
ocean quahog trip (or other fishery requiring a VMS declaration) and 
not fishing in a scallop access area.
* * * * *

Subpart D--Management Measures for the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery

0
5. In Sec.  648.51:
0
a. Add paragraph (c)(1);
0
b. Remove the semicolon at the end of paragraph (c)(2) and add a period 
in its place; and
0
c. Add paragraph (e)(3)(iv).
    The additions read as follows:


Sec.  648.51  Gear and crew restrictions.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) A vessel fishing in the Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep Access 
Area, as described in Sec.  648.60(e), may have no more than 10 people 
aboard, including the operator, when not docked or moored in port.
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (iv) A vessel fishing in the Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep Access 
Area, as described in Sec.  648.60(e), may have no more than 8 people 
aboard, including the operator, when not docked or moored in port.
* * * * *

0
6. In Sec.  648.52, revise paragraphs (b) and (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.52   Possession and landing limits.

* * * * *
    (b) A vessel issued an NGOM scallop permit, or an IFQ scallop 
permit that is declared into the NGOM scallop fishery as described in 
Sec.  648.62, unless exempted under the state waters exemption program 
described under Sec.  648.54, may not possess or land, per trip, more 
than 200 lb (90.7 kg) of shucked scallops, or possess more than 25 bu 
(8.81 hL) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS Demarcation Line. 
Such a vessel may land scallops only once in any calendar day. Such a 
vessel may possess up to 50 bu (17.6 hL) of in-shell scallops seaward 
of the VMS

[[Page 17762]]

demarcation line on a properly declared NGOM scallop fishery trip.
    (c) A vessel issued an Incidental scallop permit, or an IFQ scallop 
permit that is not declared into the IFQ scallop fishery or on a 
properly declared NE multispecies, surfclam, or ocean quahog trip or 
other fishery requiring a VMS declaration as required under Sec.  
648.10(f), unless exempted under the state waters exemption program 
described under Sec.  648.54, may not possess or land, per trip, more 
than 40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked scallops, or possess more than 5 bu 
(1.76 hL) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS Demarcation Line. 
Such a vessel may land scallops only once in any calendar day. Such a 
vessel may possess up to 10 bu (3.52 hL) of in-shell scallops seaward 
of the VMS Demarcation Line.
* * * * *

0
7. In Sec.  648.53, revise paragraphs (a)(8), (b)(3), and (h)(5)(i) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  648.53  Overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch 
(ABC), annual catch limits (ACL), annual catch targets (ACT), annual 
projected landings (APL), DAS allocations, and individual fishing 
quotas (IFQ).

    (a) * * *
    (8) Scallop fishery catch limits. The following catch limits will 
be effective for the 2020 and 2021 fishing years:

        Table 1 to Paragraph (a)(8)--Scallop Fishery Catch Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Catch limits                   2020 (mt)     2021 (mt) \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overfishing Limit.......................          56,186          47,503
Acceptable Biological Catch/ACL                   45,414          36,435
 (discards removed).....................
Incidental Catch........................              23              23
Research Set-Aside (RSA)................             567             567
Observer Set-Aside......................             454             364
ACL for fishery.........................          44,370          35,481
Limited Access ACL......................          41,930          33,530
LAGC Total ACL..........................           2,440           1,951
LAGC IFQ ACL (5 percent of ACL).........           2,219           1,774
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ ACL (0.5                222             177
 percent of ACL)........................
Limited Access ACT......................          37,819          30,242
APL (after set-asides removed)..........          22,370             (1)
Limited Access Projected Landings (94.5           21,140             (1)
 percent of APL)........................
Total IFQ Annual Allocation (5.5 percent           1,230             923
 of APL) \2\............................
LAGC IFQ Annual Allocation (5 percent of           1,119             839
 APL) \2\...............................
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ Annual                  112              84
 Allocation (0.5 percent of APL) \2\....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The catch limits for the 2021 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. This
  includes the setting of an APL for 2021 that will be based on the 2020
  annual scallop surveys. The 2021 default allocations for the limited
  access component are defined for DAS in paragraph (b)(3) of this
  section and for access areas in Sec.   648.59(b)(3)(i)(B).
\2\ As specified in paragraph (a)(6)(iii)(B) of this section, the 2021
  IFQ annual allocations are set at 75 percent of the 2020 IFQ Annual
  Allocations.

    (b) * * *
    (3) DAS allocations. The DAS allocations for limited access scallop 
vessels for fishing years 2020 and 2021 are as follows:

     Table 2 to Paragraph (b)(3)--Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Permit category                     2020       2021 \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time.....................................        24.00        18.00
Part-Time.....................................         9.60         7.20
Occasional....................................         2.00          1.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The DAS allocations for the 2021 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. The
  2021 DAS allocations are set at 75 percent of the 2020 allocation as a
  precautionary measure.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (5) * * *
    (i) Temporary IFQ transfers. Subject to the restrictions in 
paragraph (h)(5)(iii) of this section, the owner of an IFQ scallop 
vessel (and/or IFQ scallop permit in confirmation of permit history) 
not issued a limited access scallop permit may temporarily transfer 
(e.g., lease) its entire IFQ allocation, or a portion of its IFQ 
allocation, to another IFQ scallop vessel. Temporary IFQ transfers 
shall be effective only for the fishing year in which the temporary 
transfer is requested and processed. IFQ can be temporarily transferred 
more than once (i.e., re-transferred). For example, if a vessel 
temporarily transfers IFQ to a vessel, the transferee vessel may re-
transfer any portion of that IFQ to another vessel. There is no limit 
on how many times IFQ can be re-transferred in a fishing year. The 
Regional Administrator has final approval authority for all temporary 
IFQ transfer requests.
* * * * *

0
8. In Sec.  648.59, revise paragraphs (b)(3)(i)(B), (b)(3)(ii), (c), 
(e), and (g)(3)(v) to read as follows:


Sec.  648.59  Sea Scallop Rotational Area Management Program and Access 
Area Program requirements.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (B) The following access area allocations and possession limits for 
limited access vessels shall be effective for the 2020 and 2021 fishing 
years:
    (1) Full-time vessels. (i) For a full-time limited access vessel, 
the possession limit and allocations are:

                                    Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(3)(i)(B)(1)(i )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Scallop possession                             2021 Scallop allocation
        Rotational access area                  limit           2020 Scallop allocation         (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area I Flex \1\...............  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)     9,000 lb (4,082 kg)....  0 lb (0 kg).
                                        per trip.
Closed Area II                                                  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)...  0 lb (0 kg).

[[Page 17763]]

 
Nantucket Lightship-North                                       9,000 lb (4,082 kg)....  0 lb (0 kg).
Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep                                  18,000 lb (8,165 kg)...  0 lb (0 kg).
Mid-Atlantic                                                    36,000 lb (16,329 kg)..  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total............................  .......................  90,000 lb (40,823 kg)..  18,000 lb (8,165 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Closed Area I flex allocation can be landed from either Closed Area I or the Mid-Atlantic Access Area
  pursuant to the area boundaries defined Sec.   648.60(c).

    (ii) For the 2019 fishing year and the first 60 days of the 2020 
fishing year, a full-time limited access vessel may choose to land up 
to 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) of its Closed Area I Access Area allocation 
from any access area made available in the 2019 fishing year as 
described in the Sec.  648.60. For example, a vessel could take a trip 
in the Closed Area I Access Area and land 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) from 
that area, leaving the vessel with 8,000 lb (3,629 kg) of the Closed 
Area I flex allocation available, which could be landed from any other 
available access area as described in this section, provided the 
18,000-lb (8,165-kg) possession limit is not exceeded on any one trip.
    (iii) For the 2020 fishing year and the first 60 days of the 2021 
fishing year, a full-time limited access vessel may choose to land its 
Closed Area I Access Area allocation from either Closed Area I or the 
Mid-Atlantic Access Area as described in the Sec.  648.60(c) and (a), 
respectively. For example, a vessel could take a trip in the Closed 
Area I Access Area and land 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) from that area, leaving 
the vessel with 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) of the Closed Area I flex 
allocation available, which could be landed from the Mid-Atlantic 
Access Area as described in this section, provided the 18,000-lb 
(8,165-kg) possession limit is not exceeded on any one trip.
    (iv) If implementation of the fishing year 2020 specifications is 
delayed beyond April 1, 2020, the start of the 2020 fishing year, any 
full-time limited access vessel that harvests any portion of its 
default 2020 Nantucket Lightship-West Access Area allocation, as 
described in the Sec.  648.60(f), will have 18,000 lb deducted from its 
fishing year 2020 Closed Area II Access Area allocation.
    (2) Part-time vessels. (i) For a part-time limited access vessel, 
the possession limit and allocations are as follows:

                                    Table 2 to Paragraph (b)(3)(i)(B)(2)(i )
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Scallop possession                             2021 Scallop allocation
        Rotational access area                  limit           2020 Scallop allocation         (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area II.......................  12,000 lb (5,443 kg)     12,000 lb (5,443 kg)...  0 lb (0 kg)
                                        per trip.
Mid-Atlantic                                                    24,000 lb (10,886 kg)..  7,200 lb (3,266 kg)
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
    Total............................  .......................  36,000 lb (16,329 kg)..  7,200 lb (3,266 kg)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) For the 2019 fishing year and the first 60 days of the 2020 
fishing year, a part-time limited access vessel may choose to land up 
to 17,000 lb (7,711 kg) of its Closed Area I Access Area allocation 
from any access area made available in the 2019 fishing year as 
described in the Sec.  648.60(a), (c), and (f). For example, a vessel 
could take a trip in the Closed Area I Access Area and land 10,000 lb 
(4,536 kg) from that area, leaving the vessel with 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) 
of the Closed Area I flex allocation available, which could be landed 
from any other available access area as described in this section, 
provided the possession limit is not exceeded on any one trip.
    (iii) If implementation of fishing year 2020 specifications is 
delayed beyond the April 1, 2020, start of the 2020 fishing year, any 
part-time limited access vessel that harvests any portion of its 
default 2020 Nantucket Lightship-West Access Area allocation, as 
described in the Sec.  648.60(f), will have 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) 
deducted from its fishing year 2020 Closed Area II Access Area 
allocation.
    (3) Occasional limited access vessels. (i) For the 2020 fishing 
year only, an occasional limited access vessel is allocated 7,500 lb 
(3,402 kg) of scallops with a trip possession limit at 7,500 lb of 
scallops per trip (3,402 kg per trip). Occasional limited access 
vessels may harvest the 7,500 lb (3,402 kg) allocation from only the 
Mid-Atlantic Access Area.
    (ii) For the 2021 fishing year, occasional limited access vessels 
are allocated 1,500 lb (680 kg) of scallops in the Mid-Atlantic Access 
Area only with a trip possession limit of 1,500 lb of scallops per trip 
(680 kg per trip).
    (ii) Limited access vessels' one-for-one area access allocation 
exchanges--(A) Full-time limited access vessels. (1) The owner of a 
vessel issued a full-time limited access scallop permit may exchange 
unharvested scallop pounds allocated into one access area for another 
vessel's unharvested scallop pounds allocated into another scallop 
access area. These exchanges may be made only in 9,000-lb (4,082-kg) 
increments. For example, a full-time vessel may exchange 9,000 lb 
(4,082 kg) from one access area for 9,000 lb (4,082 kg) allocated to 
another full-time vessel for another access area. Further, a full-time 
vessel may exchange 18,000 lb (8,165 kg) from one access area for 
18,000 lb (8,165 kg) allocated to another full-time 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

[[Page 17764]]

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 the Regional Administrator that 
the allocation exchange has been made effective. A vessel owner may 
exchange equal allocations in 9,000-lb (4,082-kg) increments between 
two or more vessels of the same permit category 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.
    (2) In fishing year 2020, full-time limited access vessels are 
allocated 9,000 lb (4,082 kg) of scallops that may be landed from 
either Closed Area I or the Mid-Atlantic Access Area as described in 
the Sec.  648.60(c) and (a), respectively. This flex allocation may be 
exchanged in full for another access area allocation, but only the flex 
allocation may be landed from either Closed Area I or the Mid-Atlantic 
Access Area. For example, if a Vessel A exchanges 9,000 lb (4,082 kg) 
of Closed Area I flex allocation for 9,000 lb (4,082 kg) of Nantucket 
Lightship-North allocation with Vessel B, Vessel A would no longer be 
allowed to land this allocation from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area and 
may only land this allocation from Nantucket Lightship-North, but 
Vessel B could land the flex allocation from either Closed Area I or 
the Mid-Atlantic Access Area.
    (B) Part-time limited access vessels. The owner of a vessel issued 
a part-time limited access scallop permit may exchange unharvested 
scallop pounds allocated into one access area for another part-time 
vessel's unharvested scallop pounds allocated into another scallop 
access area. These exchanges may be made only for the amount of the 
current trip possession limit, as specified in paragraph 
(b)(3)(i)(B)(2) of this section. For example, if the access area trip 
possession limit for part-time limited access vessels is 12,000 lb 
(5,443 kg), a part-time limited access vessel may exchange no more or 
less than 12,000 lb (5,443 kg), from one access area for no more or 
less than 12,000 lb (5,443 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 limited access 
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 the Regional 
Administrator that the allocation exchange has been made effective. A 
part-time limited access 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.
* * * * *
    (c) Scallop Access Area scallop allocation carryover. With the 
exception of vessels that held a Confirmation of Permit History as 
described in Sec.  648.4(a)(2)(i)(J) for the entire fishing year 
preceding the carry-over year, 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 Scallop Access Area is open, unless otherwise specified in this 
section. However, the vessel may not exceed the Scallop Rotational Area 
trip possession limit. 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 2019, that vessel may harvest those 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) 
during the first 60 days that the Mid-Atlantic Access Area is open in 
fishing year 2020 (April 1, 2020 through May 30, 2020).
* * * * *
    (e) Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Harvest in Scallop Access Areas. 
Unless otherwise specified, RSA may be harvested in any access area 
that is open in a given fishing year, as specified through a 
specifications action or 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 2020 and 2021 are:
    (1) 2020: Mid-Atlantic Access Area.
    (2) 2021: No access areas.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (v) LAGC IFQ access area allocations. The following LAGC IFQ access 
area trip allocations will be effective for the 2020 and 2021 fishing 
years:

                     Table 3 to Paragraph (g)(3)(v)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Scallop access area                 2020           2021\1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Closed Area I...........................             571               0
Nantucket Lightship-North...............             571               0
Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep..........             571               0
Mid-Atlantic............................           1,142             571
                                         -------------------------------
    Total...............................           2,855             571
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The LAGC IFQ access area trip allocations for the 2021 fishing year
  are subject to change through a future specifications action or
  framework adjustment.

* * * * *

0
9. Revise Sec.  648.60 to read as follows:


Sec.  648.60  Sea Scallop Rotational Areas.

    (a) Mid-Atlantic Scallop Rotational Area. The Mid-Atlantic Scallop 
Rotational Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are 
available from

[[Page 17765]]

the Regional Administrator upon request):

                        Table 1 to Paragraph (a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAA1....................................      39[deg]30'      73[deg]10'
MAA2....................................      39[deg]30'      72[deg]30'
MAA3....................................      38[deg]30'      73[deg]30'
MAA4....................................      38[deg]10'      73[deg]30'
MAA5....................................      38[deg]10'      74[deg]20'
MAA6....................................      38[deg]50'      74[deg]20'
MAA7....................................      38[deg]50'      73[deg]42'
MAA1....................................      39[deg]30'      73[deg]10'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Closed Area II--Southwest and Extension Scallop Rotational 
Area. The Closed Area II-Southwest and Extension Scallop Rotational 
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):

                                            Table 2 to Paragraph (b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Point                                 N latitude      W longitude        Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIISWE1........................................................      41[deg]11'      67[deg]20'  ..............
CAIISWE2........................................................      41[deg]11'      66[deg]41'  ..............
CAIISWE3........................................................       41[deg]0'      66[deg]41'  ..............
CAIISWE4........................................................       41[deg]0'           (\1\)           (\2\)
CAIISWE5........................................................      40[deg]40'           (\3\)           (\2\)
CAIISWE6........................................................      40[deg]40'      67[deg]20'  ..............
CAIISWE1........................................................      41[deg]11'      67[deg]20'  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 41[deg]0' N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]0' N lat.
  and 66[deg]09.33' W long.
\2\ From Point CAIISWE 4 connected to Point CAIISWE5 along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary.
\3\ The intersection of 40[deg]40' N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 40[deg]40' N lat.
  and 65[deg]52.61' W long.

    (c) Closed Area I Scallop Rotational Area. The Closed Area I 
Scallop Rotational 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):

                        Table 3 to Paragraph (c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIA1...................................      41[deg]30'      68[deg]30'
CAIA2...................................      40[deg]58'      68[deg]30'
CAIA3...................................   40[deg]54.95'   68[deg]53.37'
CAIA4...................................      41[deg]04'      69[deg]01'
CAIA5...................................      41[deg]30'      69[deg]23'
CAIA1...................................      41[deg]30'      68[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) Closed Area II Scallop Rotational Area--(1) Closed Area II 
Scallop Rotational boundaries. The Closed Area II Scallop Rotational 
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):

                                           Table 4 to Paragraph (d)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Point                                 N latitude      W longitude        Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAIIA1..........................................................      41[deg]30'      67[deg]20'  ..............
CAIIA2..........................................................      41[deg]11'      67[deg]20'  ..............
CAIIA3..........................................................      41[deg]11'      66[deg]41'  ..............
CAIIA4..........................................................      41[deg]00'      66[deg]41'  ..............
CAIIA5..........................................................      41[deg]00'           (\1\)           (\2\)
CAIIA6..........................................................      41[deg]30'           (\3\)           (\2\)
CAIIA1..........................................................      41[deg]30'      67[deg]20'  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The intersection of 41[deg]00' N lat. and the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, approximately 41[deg]00' N lat.
  and 66[deg]09.33' W long.
\2\ From Point CAIIA5 connected to Point CAIIA6 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.

    (2) Season. (i) 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 Sea Scallop Rotational Area, defined in paragraph (d)(1) of this 
section, during the period of August 15 through November 15 of each 
year the Closed Area II Access Area is open to scallop vessels, unless 
transiting pursuant to Sec.  648.59(a).
    (ii) For the 2020 scallop fishing year, 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 Sea Scallop Rotational Area, defined in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section, during the period of November 16 
through November 30, unless transiting pursuant to Sec.  648.59(a).
    (e) Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep Scallop Rotational Area. The 
Nantucket Lightship South-Deep Rotational 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):

                        Table 5 to Paragraph (e)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLSSD1..................................      40[deg]22'      69[deg]30'
NLSSD2..................................      40[deg]15'      69[deg]30'
NLSSD3..................................      40[deg]15'      69[deg]00'
NLSSD4..................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]00'
NLSSD5..................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]17'
NLSSD1..................................      40[deg]22'      69[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Nantucket Lightship West Scallop Rotational Area. From April 1, 
2020 through May 30, 2020, the Nantucket Lightship West Scallop 
Rotational Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following 
points in the order stated (copies of a chart depicting this area are

[[Page 17766]]

available from the Regional Administrator upon request):

                        Table 6 to Paragraph (f)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLSW1...................................      40[deg]20'      70[deg]00'
NLSW2...................................   40[deg]43.44'      70[deg]00'
NLSW3...................................   40[deg]43.44'      69[deg]30'
NLSW4...................................      40[deg]20'      69[deg]30'
NLSW1...................................      40[deg]20'      70[deg]00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) Nantucket Lightship-North Scallop Rotational Area. The 
Nantucket Lightship North Scallop Rotational 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):

                        Table 7 to Paragraph (g)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLSN1...................................      40[deg]50'      69[deg]30'
NLSN2...................................      40[deg]50'      69[deg]00'
NLSN3...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]00'
NLSN4...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]30'
NLSN1...................................      40[deg]50'      69[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (h) Nantucket Lightship-Triangle Scallop Rotational Area. The 
Nantucket Lightship Triangle Scallop Rotational 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):

                        Table 8 to Paragraph (h)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLST1...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]30'
NLST2...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]17'
NLST3...................................      40[deg]22'      69[deg]30'
NLST1...................................      40[deg]28'      69[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
10. In Sec.  648.62, revise paragraph (b)(1) and add paragraph (e) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  648.62  Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) Management Program.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (1) The LAGC and the limited access portions of the annual hard TAC 
for the NGOM 2020 and 2021 fishing years are as follows:

                                           Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               2020                       2021 (default)
                      Fleet                      ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        lb              kg              lb              kg
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LAGC............................................         206,282          93,567         167,500          75,977
Limited access..................................         140,000          63,503          97,500          44,225
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................         346,282         157,071         265,000         120,202
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    (e) Stellwagen Bank Scallop Closed Area. (1) From April 1, 2020 
through March 31, 2022, unless a vessel has fished for scallops outside 
of the Stellwagen Bank scallop management area and is transiting the 
area with all fishing gear stowed and not available for immediate use 
as defined in Sec.  648.2, no vessel issued a Federal scallop permit 
pursuant to Sec.  648.4(a)(2) may possess, retain, or land scallops in 
the Stellwagen Bank Scallop Closed Area.
    (2) From April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2022, the Stellwagen Bank 
Scallop 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):

                       Table 2 to Paragraph (e)(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Point                     N latitude      W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SB1.....................................      42[deg]26'      70[deg]27'
SB2.....................................      42[deg]26'      70[deg]15'
SB3.....................................      42[deg]20'      70[deg]15'
SB4.....................................      42[deg]20'      70[deg]27'
SB1.....................................      42[deg]26'      70[deg]27'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. 2020-06599 Filed 3-30-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P