Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 36 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan, 13408-13421 [2023-03654]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13408-13421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03654]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 648

[Docket No: 230216-0042]
RIN 0648-BL99


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

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS proposes to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 36 
to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that establishes 
scallop specifications and other management measures for fishing years 
2023 and 2024. Framework 36 would implement measures to protect small 
scallops to support rotational access area trips to the fleet in future 
years. This action would also revise regulatory text that is 
unnecessary, outdated, or unclear. This action is necessary to prevent 
overfishing and improve both yield-per-recruit and the overall 
management of the Atlantic sea scallop resource.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES: The New England Fishery Management Council has prepared a 
draft environmental assessment (EA) for this action that describes the 
proposed measures in Framework Adjustment 36 and other considered 
alternatives and analyzes the impacts of the proposed measures and 
alternatives. The Council submitted a draft of Framework 36 to NMFS 
that includes the draft EA, a description of the Council's preferred 
alternatives, the Council's rationale for selecting each alternative, 
and an Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA). Copies of the 
draft of Framework 36, the draft EA, the IRFA, and information on the 
economic impacts of this proposed 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/scallop-framework-36.
    You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-
2022-0142, by either of the following methods:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and 
enter NOAA-NMFS-2022-0142 in the Search box. Click on the ``Comment'' 
icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannah Jaburek, Fishery Policy 
Analyst, 978-282-8456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The scallop fishery's management unit ranges from the shorelines of 
Maine through North Carolina to the outer boundary of the Exclusive 
Economic Zone. The Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), 
established in 1982, includes a number of amendments and framework 
adjustments that have revised and refined the fishery's management. The 
New England Fishery Management Council sets scallop fishery catch 
limits and other management measures through specification or framework 
adjustments that occur annually or biennially. The Council adopted 
Framework 36 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP on December 7, 2022. The 
Council submitted a draft of the framework, including a draft EA, for 
NMFS review and approval on December 20, 2022. This action proposes to 
approve and implement Framework 36, which establishes scallop 
specifications and other measures for fishing years 2023 and 2024, 
including changes to the catch, effort, and quota allocations and 
adjustments to the rotational area management program for fishing year 
2023, and default specifications for fishing year 2024, as recommended 
by the Council.
    NMFS proposes to implement these Framework 36 measures as close as 
possible to the April 1 start of fishing

[[Page 13409]]

year 2023. If NMFS implements these measures after the start of the 
fishing year, the default allocation measures currently established for 
fishing year 2023 will go into place on April 1, 2023. The Council 
reviewed the proposed regulations in this rule as drafted by NMFS and 
deemed them to be necessary and appropriate as specified in section 
303(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 
(Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Specification of Scallop Overfishing Limit (OFL), Acceptable Biological 
Catch (ABC), Annual Catch Limits (ACL), Annual Catch Targets (ACT), 
Annual Projected Landings (APL) and Set-Asides for the 2023 Fishing 
Year, and Default Specifications for Fishing Year 2024

    The Council set the proposed OFL based on a fishing mortality rate 
(F) of 0.61, equivalent to the F threshold updated through the 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center's most recent scallop benchmark 
stock assessment that was completed in September 2020. The proposed ABC 
and the equivalent total ACL for each fishing year are based on an F of 
0.45, 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 43.7 million lb (19,828 mt) 
for 2023 and 44.5 million lb (20,206 mt) for the 2024 fishing year, 
after accounting for discards and incidental mortality. The SSC will 
reevaluate and potentially adjust the ABC for 2024 when the Council 
develops the next framework adjustment.
    Table 1 outlines the proposed scallop fishery catch limits. After 
deducting the incidental target total allowable catch (TAC), the 
research set-aside (RSA), and the observer set-aside, the remaining ACL 
available to the fishery is allocated according to the following fleet 
proportions established in Amendment 11 to the FMP (72 FR 20090, April 
14, 2008): 94.5 percent is allocated to the limited access scallop 
fleet (i.e., the larger ``trip boat'' fleet); 5 percent is allocated to 
the limited access general category (LAGC) individual fishing quota 
(IFQ) fleet (i.e., the smaller ``day boat'' fleet); and the remaining 
0.5 percent is allocated to limited access scallop vessels that also 
have LAGC IFQ permits. Amendment 15 to the FMP (76 FR 43746, July 21, 
2011) specified that no buffers to account for management uncertainty 
are necessary in setting the LAGC ACLs, meaning that the LAGC ACL is 
equal to the LAGC ACT. For the limited access fleet, the management 
uncertainty buffer is based on the F associated with a 75-percent 
probability of remaining below the F associated with ABC/ACL, which, 
using the updated Fs applied to the ABC/ACL, now results in an F of 
0.39. Amendment 21 to the FMP (87 FR 1688, January 12, 2022) modified 
the ACL flowchart to account for the scallop biomass in the Northern 
Gulf of Maine (NGOM) as part of the legal limits in the fishery by 
adding biomass from the area into calculations of the OFL and ABC. This 
action moved the accounting of the NGOM ACL from only within the OFL 
into the OFL and ABC/ACL for the entire fishery. In addition, Amendment 
21 created the NGOM Set-Aside to support a directed LAGC fishery 
(including NGOM and LAGC IFQ permitted vessels) in the NGOM Management 
Area.

 Table 1--Scallop Catch Limits (mt) for Fishing Years 2023 and 2024 for
                 the Limited Access and LAGC IFQ Fleets
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Catch limits                   2023 (mt)     2024 (mt) \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL.....................................          27,504          29,151
ABC/ACL (discards removed)..............          19,828          20,206
Incidental Landings.....................              23              23
RSA.....................................             578             578
Observer Set-Aside......................             198             202
NGOM Set-Aside..........................             175             130
ACL for fishery.........................          18,853          19,403
Limited Access ACL......................          17,816          18,335
LAGC Total ACL..........................           1,037           1,067
LAGC IFQ ACL (5 percent of ACL).........             943             970
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ ACL (0.5                 94              97
 percent of ACL)........................
Limited Access ACT......................          15,441          15,891
APL (after set-asides removed)..........          10,368             (1)
Limited Access APL (94.5 percent of APL)           9,798             (1)
Total IFQ Annual Allocation (5.5 percent             570             428
 of APL) \2\............................
LAGC IFQ Annual Allocation (5 percent of             518             389
 APL) \2\...............................
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ Annual                   52              39
 Allocation (0.5 percent of APL) \2\....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The catch limits for the 2024 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. This
  includes the setting of an APL for 2024 that will be based on the 2023
  annual scallop surveys.
\2\ As a precautionary measure, the 2024 IFQ and annual allocations are
  set at 75 percent of the 2023 IFQ Annual Allocations.

    This action would deduct 1.275 million lb (578 mt) of scallops 
annually for 2023 and 2024 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 1.275-
million-lb (578-mt) allocation, NMFS has already allocated 47,057 lb 
(21,345 kg) to previously funded multi-year projects as part of the 
2022 RSA awards process. NMFS is reviewing proposals submitted for 
consideration of 2023 RSA awards and will be selecting projects for 
funding in the near future.
    This action would also deduct 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 198 mt for 
2023 and 202 mt for 2024. The Council may adjust the 2024 observer set-
aside when it develops specific, non-default measures for 2024.

Open Area Days-at-Sea (DAS) Allocations

    This action would implement vessel-specific DAS allocations for 
each of the three limited access scallop DAS permit categories (i.e., 
full-time, part-time, and occasional) for 2023 and 2024 (Table 2).

[[Page 13410]]

Proposed 2023 DAS allocations are the same as those allocated to the 
limited access fleet in 2022. Framework 36 would set 2024 DAS 
allocations at 75 percent of fishing year 2023 DAS allocations as a 
precautionary measure. This is to avoid over-allocating DAS to the 
fleet in the event that the 2024 specifications action is delayed past 
the start of the 2024 fishing year. The proposed allocations in Table 2 
exclude any DAS deductions that are required if the limited access 
scallop fleet exceeds its 2022 sub-ACL.

      Table 2--Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations for 2023 and 2024
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Permit category                   2023       2024 (default)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time...............................           24.00           18.00
Part-Time...............................            9.60            7.20
Occasional..............................            2.00            1.50
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If NMFS implements these Framework 36 measures after the April 1 
start of fishing year 2023, default DAS allocations, which were 
established in Framework Adjustment 34 to the FMP (87 FR 18277, March 
30, 2022), would go into place on April 1, 2023. Full-time vessels 
would receive 18 DAS, part-time vessels would receive 7.20 DAS, and 
occasional vessels would receive 1.50 DAS. The allocations would later 
increase in accordance with Framework 36 when Framework 36 goes into 
effect. NMFS will notify all limited access permit holders of both 
default and Framework 36 DAS allocations so that vessel owners know 
what mid-year adjustments would occur should Framework 36 be approved 
and implemented after April 1, 2023.

Changes to Fishing Year 2023 Sea Scallop Access Area Boundaries

    For fishing year 2023 and the start of 2024, Framework 36 would 
change the boundaries of Area II (Table 3) to include all of both areas 
formerly known as Closed Area II and Closed Area II-East. This area was 
expanded to better support rotational access in fishing year 2023.

                                          Table 3--Area II Access Area
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                        N latitude               W longitude                  Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AII1................................  41[deg]30'                67[deg]20'               .......................
AII2................................  41[deg]30'                (\1\)                    (\2\)
AII3................................  40[deg]40'                (\3\)                    (\2\)
AII4................................  40[deg]40'                67[deg]20'               .......................
AII1................................  41[deg]30'                67[deg]20'               .......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 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\ From Point AII2 connected to Point AII3 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.

Fishing Year 2023 Sea Scallop Closed Area Boundaries

    Framework 36 would keep the New York Bight and Nantucket Lightship-
West Scallop Rotational Areas closed to scallop fishing to optimize 
growth of the several scallop year classes within the closure area and 
to support scallop fishing in years following the 2023 fishing year.
    This action would also close the Elephant Trunk (Table 4) and the 
Area I (Table 5) Scallop Rotational Areas. The Council is proposing to 
close these areas to support the growth of small scallops in the 
absence of fishing pressure.

               Table 4--Elephant Trunk Scallop Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N latitude          W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ET1............................  38[deg]50'           74[deg]20'
ET2............................  38[deg]50'           73[deg]30'
ET3............................  38[deg]10'           73[deg]30'
ET4............................  38[deg]10'           74[deg]20'
ET1............................  38[deg]50'           74[deg]20'
------------------------------------------------------------------------


                   Table 5--Area I Scallop Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N latitude          W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIA1...........................  41[deg]30'           68[deg]30'
AIA2...........................  40[deg]58'           68[deg]30'
AIA3...........................  40[deg]54.95'        68[deg]53.37'
AIA4...........................  41[deg]30'           69[deg]23'
AIA1...........................  41[deg]30'           68[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep and Nantucket Lightship-Triangle Scallop 
Rotational Areas Reverting to Open Area

    Framework 36 would revert the Nantucket Lightship-South-Deep and 
Nantucket Lightship-Triangle Scallop Rotational Areas to part of the 
open area. These areas were previously managed as part of the area 
rotation program; however, there is not enough biomass to support 
rotational access on an equitable basis to the entire Limited Access 
fleet nor was there enough recruitment seen in the annual survey to 
support keeping these areas as part of the program. Based on this 
information, they no longer meet the criteria for either closure or 
controlled access as defined in 50 CFR 648.55(a)(6). These areas would 
become part of the open area and could be fished as part of the DAS 
program or on LAGC IFQ open area trips. Because fishing year 2022 
carryover access area fishing will continue in the Nantucket Lightship-
South-Deep until May 30, 2023, both areas would not revert to open area 
until May 31, 2023.

Nantucket Lightship-North Scallop Rotational Area (NLS-N) To Support 
LAGC IFQ Access and Closed for the Limited Access Fleet for 90 Days 
Before Reverting to Open Area

    Framework 36 would allocate LAGC IFQ access area trips that could 
be taken in either the NLS-N (Table 6) or Area II (Table 3) for the 
2023 fishing year. Once the Regional Administrator has determined that 
the total number of LAGC IFQ access area trips have been or are 
projected to be taken, the Nantucket Lightship North Scallop Rotational 
Area shall become part of the open area for LAGC IFQ vessels.

[[Page 13411]]

    Limited access vessels would be prohibited from fishing in the area 
during the first 90 days of fishing year 2023 (i.e., through June 29, 
2023). On June 30, 2023, the NLS-N would revert to part of the open 
area for the limited access fleet. This area could then be fished by 
the limited access fleet on DAS.

       Table 6--Nantucket Lightship-North Scallop Rotational Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             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'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    Table 7 provides the proposed limited access full-time allocations 
for all of the access areas for the 2023 fishing year and the first 60 
days of the 2024 fishing year. These allocations could be landed in as 
many trips as needed, so long as vessels do not exceed the possession 
limit (also in Table 7) on any one trip.

 Table 7--Proposed Scallop Access Area Full-Time Limited Access Vessel Poundage Allocations and Trip Possession
                                            Limits for 2023 and 2024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Scallop per trip                              2024 Scallop allocation
        Rotational access area             possession limit     2023 Scallop allocation         (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area II..............................  12,000 lb (5,443 kg)...  24,000 lb (10,886 kg)..  0 lb (0 kg).
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total............................  .......................  24,000 lb (10,886 kg)..  0 lb (0 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    Table 8 provides the proposed limited access part-time allocations 
for all of the access areas for the 2023 fishing year and the first 60 
days of the 2024 fishing year. These allocations could be landed in as 
many trips as needed, so long as the vessels do not exceed the 
possession limit (also in Table 8) on any one trip.

 Table 8--Proposed Scallop Access Area Part-Time Limited Access Vessel Poundage Allocations and Trip Possession
                                            Limits for 2023 and 2024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Scallop per trip                              2024 Scallop allocation
        Rotational access area             possession limit     2023 Scallop allocation          (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area II..............................  9,600 lb (4,082 kg)....  9,600 lb (4,354 kg)....  0 lb (0 kg).
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total............................  .......................  9,600 lb (4,354 kg)....  0 lb (0 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LAGC Measures

    1. ACL and IFQ Allocation for LAGC Vessels with IFQ Permits. For 
LAGC vessels with IFQ permits, this action would implement a 943-mt ACL 
for 2023 and a 970-mt default ACL for 2024 (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. If the 
fleet were to reach this ceiling, any overages would be deducted from 
the following year's sub-ACL. Framework 28 to the FMP (82 FR 15155, 
March 27, 2017) changed the way the LAGC IFQ allocations are set from a 
direct percentage of the ACL to a percentage of the APL. The purpose of 
this change was to help ensure that the allocation of potential catch 
between the fleets is more consistent with the concept of spatial 
management by allocating catch to the LAGC IFQ fleet based on 
harvestable scallops instead of total biomass. Since Framework 28 was 
implemented in 2017, the LAGC IFQ allocation has been equal to 5.5 
percent of the projected landings (5 percent for LAGC IFQ vessels and 
0.5 percent for LAGC IFQ vessels that also have a limited access 
scallop permit). The annual allocation to the LAGC IFQ-only fleet for 
fishing years 2023 and 2024 based on APL would be 518 mt for 2023 and 
389 mt for 2024 (see Table 1). Each vessel's IFQ would be calculated 
from these allocations based on APL.
    If NMFS implements these Framework 36 measures after the April 1 
start of the 2023 fishing year, the default 2023 IFQ allocations would 
go into place automatically on April 1, 2023. Because this action would 
implement IFQ allocations that are less than the default allocations, 
NMFS will notify IFQ permit holders of both default 2023 and Framework 
36 IFQ allocations so that vessel owners know what mid-year adjustments 
would occur should Framework 36 be approved after the April 1, 2023, 
start of fishing year 2023.
    2. ACL and IFQ Allocation for Limited Access Scallop Vessels with 
IFQ Permits. For limited access scallop vessels with IFQ permits, this 
action would implement a 94-mt ACL for 2023 and a default 97-mt ACL for 
2024 (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 would be 52 mt for 2023 and 39 
mt for 2024 (see Table 1). Each vessel's IFQ would be calculated from 
these allocations based on APL. Because this action would implement IFQ 
allocations that are less than the default allocations, NMFS will 
notify IFQ permit holders of both default 2023 and Framework 36 IFQ 
allocations so that vessel owners know what mid-year adjustments would 
occur should Framework 36 be approved after the April 1, 2023, start of 
fishing year 2023.
    3. LAGC IFQ Trip Allocations for Scallop Access Areas. Framework 36 
would allocate LAGC IFQ vessels a fleet-wide number of trips for 
fishing year 2023 and no default trips for fishing year 2024 (see Table 
9). The scallop catch associated with the total

[[Page 13412]]

number of trips for all areas combined (571 trips) for fishing year 
2023 is equivalent to the 5.5 percent of total projected catch from 
access areas.
    Once the Regional Administrator has determined that the total 
number of LAGC IFQ access area trips have been or are projected to be 
taken, the Nantucket Lightship North Scallop Rotational Area shall 
become part of the open area for LAGC IFQ vessels, but Area II would 
then be closed to LAGC IFQ fishing.

   Table 9--Fishing Years 2023 and 2024 LAGC IFQ Trip Allocations for
                          Scallop Access Areas
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Scallop access area                 2023          2024 \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nantucket Lightship-North/Area II.......             571               0
                                         -------------------------------
    Total...............................             571               0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The LAGC IFQ access area trip allocations for the 2024 fishing year
  are subject to change through a future specifications action or
  framework adjustment.

    4. NGOM Scallop Fishery Landing Limits. This action proposes total 
allowable landings (TAL) in the NGOM of 434,311 lb (197,000 kg) for 
fishing year 2023. This action would deduct 25,000 lb (11,340 kg) of 
scallops annually for 2023 and 2024 from the NGOM TAL to increase the 
overall Scallop RSA to fund scallop research. In addition, this action 
would deduct 1 percent of the NGOM ABC from the NGOM TAL for fishing 
years 2023 and 2024 to support the industry-funded observer program to 
help defray the cost to scallop vessels that carry an observer (Table 
10).
    Amendment 21 developed landing limits for all permit categories in 
the NGOM and established an 800,000-lb (362,874-kg) NGOM Set-Aside 
trigger for the NGOM directed fishery, with a sharing agreement for 
access by all permit categories for allocation above the trigger. 
Allocation above the trigger (i.e., the NGOM APL) will be split 5 
percent for the NGOM fleet and 95 percent for limited access and LAGC 
IFQ fleets. Framework 36 would set an NGOM Set-Aside of 380,855 lb 
(172,753 kg) for fishing year 2023 and a default NGOM Set-Aside of 
285,641 lb (211,365 kg) for fishing year 2024. Because the NGOM Set-
Aside for fishing years 2023 and 2024 is below the 800,000-lb (362,874-
kg) trigger, Framework 36 would not allocate any landings to the NGOM 
APL. Table 10 describes the breakdown of the NGOM TAL for the 2023 and 
2024 (default) fishing years.

                  Table 10--NGOM Scallop Fishery Landing Limits for Fishing Year 2023 and 2024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               2023                          2024 \1\
                Landings limits                 ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       lb               kg              lb              kg
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NGOM TAL.......................................         434,311         197,000          318,573     \3\ 114,502
1 percent NGOM ABC for Observers...............          10,538           4,780            7,932       \3\ 3,598
RSA Contribution...............................          25,000          11,340           25,000          11,340
NGOM Set-Aside.................................         380,855     \2\ 172,753          285,641         129,565
NGOM APL.......................................               0               0                0               0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The landings limits for the 2024 fishing year are subject to change through a future specifications action
  or framework adjustment.
\2\ For fishing year 2023 the NGOM Set-Aside has been reduced by 17,918 lb (8,127 kg) to account for a limited
  access general category NGOM total allowable catch overage in 2021.
\3\ The catch limits for the 2024 fishing year are subject to change through a future specifications action or
  framework adjustment. This includes the setting of an APL for 2024 that will be based on the 2023 annual
  scallop surveys.

    5. Scallop Incidental Landings Target TAL. This action proposes a 
50,000-lb (22,680-kg) scallop incidental landings target TAL for 
fishing years 2023 and 2024 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 open area only. 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 36 
prohibits the harvest of RSA from any access areas under default 2024 
measures. At the start of 2024, 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 2024 specifications.

Regulatory Corrections Under Regional Administrator Authority

    This proposed rule includes three revisions to address regulatory 
text that is unnecessary, outdated, or unclear. In addition, this 
proposed rule includes changes to regulatory text throughout that would 
change the in-shell possession limit of scallops from a bushel 
conversion (1 bushel of in-shell scallops = 8 lb (3.6 kg) of scallop 
meats) to a weight conversion (8.33 (3.78 kg) lb of in-shell scallops = 
1 lb (0.45 kg) of scallop meats). NMFS is making this adjustment to 
provide more uniformity among the possession limit measurements by 
revising the in-shell possession limit to a widely accepted poundage 
conversion, and by making other necessary clarifications. The revision 
to the in-shell possession limit is resource neutral because NMFS 
already uses this conversion to charge an LAGC vessel's IFQ and/or the 
NGOM Set-Aside. Furthermore, this change will continue to support the 
boutique in-shell scallop fishery by retaining an in-shell possession 
limit for this fleet. These revisions are consistent with section 
305(d) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which provides authority to the 
Secretary of Commerce to promulgate

[[Page 13413]]

regulations necessary to ensure that amendments to an FMP are carried 
out in accordance with the FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The first 
revisions at Sec.  648.2 `bushel' definition, Sec.  648.14(i)(2)(ii)(A) 
and (B), (iii)(B), (vi)(D), Sec.  648.51(a), throughout Sec.  648.52, 
and at Sec.  648.59(b)(3)(i), change the in-shell possession limit of 
scallops from a bushel conversion to a lb conversion. The second 
revisions, at Sec.  648.14(i)(1)(i), (ii), (iv)(A) and (B), would 
clarify that these paragraphs are referring to Federal scallop permits. 
The third revision at Sec.  648.14(i)(1)(vi)(A)(2) would clarify that a 
vessel can transit Habitat Management Areas provided that its gear is 
stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2. 
Finally, the fourth revision at Sec.  648.52(d) would update a 
reference to Scallop Rotational Access Area allocations.

Classification

    NMFS is issuing this rule pursuant to sections 304(b)(1)(A) of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Act, which provides specific authority for 
implementing this action. Pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Steven Act, this action is necessary to carry out the Atlantic Sea 
Scallop FMP, to allow NMFS to implement measures developed in Framework 
Adjustment 36 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP for fishing year 2023. 
The NMFS Assistant Administrator has determined that this proposed rule 
is consistent with the Atlantic Sea Scallop FMP and other applicable 
law, subject to further consideration after public comment.
    This proposed rule has been determined to be not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    An initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) was prepared for 
Framework 36, as required by section 603 of the RFA (RFA). The IRFA 
describes the economic impact this proposed rule, if adopted, would 
have on small entities. A description of the action, why it is being 
considered, and the legal basis for this action are contained at the 
beginning of this section in the preamble and in the SUMMARY section of 
the preamble. A copy of this analysis is available from the Council 
(see ADDRESSES). A summary of the IRFA follows:

Description of the Reasons Why Action by the Agency Is Being Considered 
and Statement of the Objectives of, and Legal Basis for, This Proposed 
Rule

    This action proposes the management measures and specifications for 
the Atlantic sea scallop fishery for 2023, with 2024 default measures. 
A description of the action, why it is being considered, and the legal 
basis for this action are contained in the Council's Framework 36 
document and the preamble of this proposed rule, and are not repeated 
here.

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

    This proposed rule contains no information collection requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Federal Rules Which May Duplicate, Overlap or Conflict With This 
Proposed Rule

    The proposed regulations do not create overlapping regulations with 
any state regulations or other Federal laws.

Description and Estimate of Number of Small Entities to Which the Rule 
Would Apply

    The proposed regulations would affect all vessels with Limited 
Access, LAGC IFQ, and LAGC NGOM scallop permits. Framework 36 (Section 
5.6) and the LAGC IFQ Performance Evaluation (2017) provide extensive 
information on the number of vessels that would be affected by the 
proposed regulations, their home and principal state, dependency on the 
scallop fishery, and revenues and profits (see ADDRESSES). There were 
315 vessels that held full-time limited access permits in FY2021, 
including 250 dredge, 54 small-dredge, and 11 scallop trawl permits. In 
the same year, there were also 29 part-time limited access permits in 
the sea scallop fishery. No vessels were issued occasional scallop 
permits in 2021. In 2019, NMFS reported that there were a total of 300 
IFQ only permits, with 212 issued and 88 in a Confirmation of Permit 
History (CPH). There were a total of 110 NGOM permits issued in 2019. 
About 114 of the IFQ vessels and 53 NGOM vessels actively fished for 
scallops in fishing year 2021. The remaining IFQ permits likely leased 
out scallop IFQ allocations with their permits in CPH.
    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 
fishery management plans, even beyond those impacted by the proposed 
action. Furthermore, multiple permitted vessels and/or permits may be 
owned by entities affiliated by stock ownership, common management, 
identity of interest, contractual relationships, or economic 
dependency. 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 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 2021 permits 
and contains average gross sales associated with those permits for 
calendar years 2019 through 2021. Matching the potentially impacted 
2021 fishing year permits described above (limited access and LAGC IFQ) 
to calendar year 2021 ownership data results in 147 distinct ownership 
entities for the limited access fleet and 87 distinct ownership 
entities for the LAGC IFQ fleet. Based on the Small Business 
Administration (SBA) guidelines, 139 of the limited access distinct 
ownership entities and 87 LAGC IFQ entities are categorized as small. 
Eight limited access and no LAGC IFQ entities are categorized as large 
business entities with annual fishing revenues over $11 million in 
2021. There were 52 distinct small business entities with NGOM permits 
in 2021.

Description of Significant Alternatives to the Proposed Action Which 
Accomplish the Stated Objectives of Applicable Statutes and Which 
Minimize Any Significant Economic Impact on Small Entities

    The Council's preferred alternative (Section 4.3.3.2) in Framework 
36 (see ADDRESSES) would allocate each full limited access vessel 24 
open area DAS and 2 access area trips (i.e., 2 Area II trips at 12,000 
lb (5,443 kg)) amounting to 24,000 lb (10,886 kg) in fishing year 2023. 
This is estimated to result in about 22.86 million lb (10.37 million 
kg) of landings after research and observer set asides are accounted 
for. The limited access share of 94.5 percent is around 21.6 million lb 
(9.8 million kg) (Table 12). The LAGC IFQ share (5.5 percent allocation 
for both IFQ only and limited access vessels with IFQ permits) will be 
about 1.257 million lb (0.570 million kg)

[[Page 13414]]

(Section 4.4.2, Table 13). Total landings, including set-asides to 
support research and observer coverage is projected to be about 25.01 
million lb (11.34 million kg) (Table 12).
    The preferred alternative (Section 4.3.3.2) is expected to have 
negative impacts on the net revenues and profits of small entities 
regulated by this action in fishing year 2023 (Framework 36) compared 
to the fishing year 2022 (Framework 34) scenario. The decline in 
revenue per entity between fishing year 2022 levels and fishing year 
2023 is a result of declining allocations between these two fishing 
years. Projected landings for limited access fleet are expected to 
decline by about 8.09 million lb (3.67 million kg) under the Framework 
36 preferred alternative compared to the Framework 34 preferred 
alternative. As described in the Economic Impacts Section 6.6.1, and 
summarized in Tables 11 and 12, fleetwide net revenue for the limited 
access vessels (including revenue from the LAGC IFQ vessels) would be 
lower for the preferred alternative in Framework 36 (Section 4.3.2.2) 
by about $82 million (in 2022 dollars) compared to the preferred 
alternative in Framework 34. Net revenue for limited access vessels in 
fishing year 2023 under the Framework 36 preferred alternative would be 
$0.053 million lower per entity as compared to Framework 34 preferred 
alternative in fishing year 2022 (Table 12). Thus, the preferred 
alternative (Section 4.3.2.2) would have 2.43 percent lower net revenue 
compared to the Framework 34 preferred alternative.
    Under the preferred alternative (Section 4.3.2.2), allocations for 
the LAGC IFQ fishery, including the limited access vessels with IFQ 
permits, will be about 27.2 percent lower than the allocation that was 
implemented for fishing year 2022 under Framework 34. In terms of net 
revenue, this difference is expected to be of similar magnitude and 
negative for the preferred alternative relative to fishing year 2022 
levels. Therefore, the Framework 36 preferred alternative will have 
negative economic impacts on the LAGC IFQ fishery compared to fishing 
year 2022 levels (Table 13).
    The economic benefits of all of the alternatives considered in 
Framework 36, including the proposed alternative, would exceed economic 
benefits of No Action. The specification alternatives considered in 
Framework 36 are very similar, with each alternative allocating to the 
same access area allocations. Differences between the options are 
driven by the number of DAS allocated, which range from 22 to 24 DAS 
and trip limits range from 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) to 14,000 lb (6,350 
kg). The Council's preferred alternative, Alternative 3, Option 2 
(4.3.3.2) (see ADDRESSES) would result in a lower allocation to the 
limited access and LAGC IFQ components in 2023. This is expected to 
result in lower revenues compared to the Framework 34 preferred 
alternative in fishing year 2022. The percentage change in net revenue 
per business entity for all Framework 36 alternatives is expected to 
decline between -11.56 percent and 2.71 percent compared to the 
Framework 34 preferred alternative. Under the preferred alternative in 
Framework 36, net revenues per entity with limited access permits are 
estimated to be below fishing year 2022 levels by -2.43 percent in 
fishing year 2023 (Table 12).
    The Council considered four NGOM TAL options for fishing year 2023 
that ranged from 357,149 lb (162,000 kg) (Option 1) to 511,472 lb 
(232,000 kg) (Option 4). All TAL options would result in lower revenues 
compared to No Action except Option 4, which are default measures set 
in Framework 34. The preferred alternative (Alternative 2, Option 3) 
would have a slightly lower TAL (434,311 lb (197,000 kg)) compared to 
the Alternative 2 Option 4, but higher revenues than Option 1 and 
Option 2. When compared to No Action, the lower TAL of Option 3 would 
also result in lower revenues and economic benefits for entities in 
this fishery with an estimated decrease in net revenues by about 15 
percent compared to No Action (Table 14).
    Under the sharing arrangement approved for the NGOM Management Area 
in Amendment 21, Framework 36 would not allocate pounds to the LAGC IFQ 
or limited access components for fishing year 2023 because the NGOM 
set-aside did not exceed 800,000 lb (362,874 kg). Therefore, Action 2 
would not have direct impacts on the limited access component. More 
research is planned for this area in 2023, which will help to increase 
the understanding of biomass in the NGOM management area. This will 
lead to better management of the NGOM resource with positive biological 
and economic impacts over the long-term on both LAGC and limited access 
vessels.
    Economic impacts of Framework 36 preferred alternatives, including 
fishery specifications, access area trip allocations for the limited 
access and LAGC IFQ fisheries, NGOM measures, and other measures to 
reduce fishery impacts are expected to be negative for the scallop 
vessels and small business entities compared to the fishing year 2022 
baseline implemented through Framework 34. We have determined that the 
preferred alternative is nevertheless optimal because it would minimize 
risks associated with stock biomass uncertainties while protecting 
small scallops and minimizing bycatch of species such as yellowtail and 
windowpane flounder. Furthermore, the preferred alternative 
intentionally leaves biomass in the water to increase the likelihood 
that a similar DAS allocation and associated F rate, along with access 
area fishing in Area II trip will be available for the following 
fishing year.

               Table 11--Short-Term Economic Impacts for FY2023 Compared With FY2022: Estimated Landings (mil. lb/mil. kg), Revenues, Producer Surplus and Total Economic Benefits
                                                                            [In 2001 constant dollars, mil. dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Alternatives/runs                                                              Framework 36 alternatives                                        FW34's        FW34's
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   preferred     preferred
                             Sections=>                                Alt1 NA    Alt2 Opt1   Alt2 Opt2   Alt3 Opt1   Alt3 Opt2    Alt4 Opt1   Alt4 Opt2    Alt5 SQ    alternative   alternative
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (preferred) ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                    -------------
                         Economic variables                           4.3.1 NA     4.3.2.1     4.3.2.2     4.3.3.1     4.3.3.2      4.3.4.1     4.3.4.2    4.3.5 SQ    (in 2001$)    (in 2021$)
                                                                                   22d10k      24d10k      22d12k       24d12k      22d14k      24d14k
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Landings mil lb....................................................      20.214      22.619      23.719      23.909       25.007      25.207      26.305      28.300         34.04         34.04
Landings mil kg....................................................        9.17       10.26       10.76       10.84        11.34       11.43       11.93       12.84         15.44         15.44
Revenue............................................................     $211.76     $234.05     $243.91     $246.22      $255.98     $258.36     $268.02     $286.25       $303.95        437.37
Producer Surplus (PS)..............................................     $157.55     $175.18     $182.93     $186.10      $193.75     $196.90     $204.46     $220.04       $244.10        351.25
                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total Economic Benefits (CS+PS)..................................     $166.21     $185.99     $194.77     $198.14      $206.87     $210.24     $218.93     $236.57       $253.85        365.27
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 13415]]

 
Net Values or Difference from FY2022 (FW34's Preferred Alternative projection) values:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Landings mil lb....................................................      -13.83      -11.42      -10.32      -10.13        -9.03       -8.83       -7.73       -5.74          0.00  ............
Landings mil kg....................................................       -6.27       -5.18       -4.68       -4.59        -4.10       -4.01       -3.51       -2.60          0.00  ............
Revenue............................................................     -$92.19     -$69.90     -$60.05     -$57.73      -$47.97     -$45.59     -$35.94     -$17.70         $0.00  ............
Producer Surplus (PS)..............................................     -$86.56     -$68.93     -$61.17     -$58.01      -$50.35     -$47.21     -$39.65     -$24.06         $0.00  ............
                                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total Economic Benefits (CS+PS)..................................     -$87.63     -$67.86     -$59.08     -$55.71      -$46.98     -$43.61     -$34.92     -$17.28         $0.00  ............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: A negative sign indicates a lower value for a FW36 alternative compared to the FW34's preferred alternative.


                          Table 12--Net Scallop Revenue for Limited Access Vessels in FY2023 and Percent Change From the FY2022
                                                               [Revenues in 2022 dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Alternatives/runs                                     FW36 alternatives (economic values in million dollars) (in 2022$)                 FR34's
-------------------------------                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   preferred
                                                    Alt. 1    Alt. 2 Opt.  Alt. 2 Opt.  Alt. 3 Opt.  Alt. 3 Opt.  Alt. 4 Opt.  Alt. 4 Opt.   alternative
                                                -------------      1            2            1            2            1            2      -------------
                                      Unit                   --------------------------------------- (preferred) --------------------------
          Description                                                                               -------------
                                                   4.3.1 NA     4.3.2.1      4.3.2.2      4.3.3.1      4.3.3.2      4.3.4.1      4.3.4.2     (in 2022$)
                                                                 22d10k       24d10k       22d12k       24d12k       22d14k       24d14k
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated scallop APL landings  mil lb.........       20.214       22.619       23.720       23.909       25.007       25.208       26.306        34.039
 mil lbs.                       mil kg.........         9.17        10.26        10.76        10.84        11.34        11.43        11.93         15.44
Estimated LA scallop landings   mil lb.........        17.07        19.34        20.38        20.56        21.60        21.79        22.83        29.690
 (94.5% net of set asides) mil  mil kg.........         7.74         8.77         9.24         9.33         9.80         9.88        10.36         13.47
 lbs.
No. of Entities (Average in     Counts.........          146          146          146          146          146          146          146           177
 2019-2021) both small and
 large.
Estimated revenues for scallop  mil dollars....      $329.77      $364.48      $379.83      $383.44      $398.63      $402.34      $417.38       $476.51
 APL $mil.
Estimated LA revenues from      mil dollars....      $278.50      $311.71      $326.42      $329.78      $344.33      $347.79      $362.20       $415.63
 scallop $ mil.
Estimated Net Revenue for       mil dollars....     $301.733     $331.499     $344.615     $349.126     $362.089     $366.606     $379.420       $444.55
 scallop APL $mil.
Estimated LA net revenue from   mil dollars....      $254.82      $283.50      $296.15      $300.27      $312.77      $316.90      $329.26       $387.75
 scallop $mil.
Net scallop revenue per Entity  mil dollars....       $1.741       $1.937       $2.024       $2.052       $2.137       $2.166       $2.250        $2.191
 $mil.
% change in net revenue         Percent........      -20.51%      -11.56%       -7.61%       -6.33%       -2.43%       -1.14%        2.71%         0.00%
 compared to SQ (fw34 pref
 alt).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Landings and net revenues net of set asides, such as research set aside scallop, etc.


                                         Table 13--Impacts of the LAGC IFQ Allocation for the Fishing Year 2022
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              FW36 alternatives                                                Framework 36 alternatives
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     FW34's
                                                                                                     4.3.3.2                                 preferred
                   Sections                       4.3.1       4.3.2.1      4.3.2.2      4.3.3.1    (preferred)    4.3.4.1      4.3.4.2      alternative
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Descriptions:
  Allocation for IFQ only vessels (5%) (lb)..      903,247    1,023,509    1,078,515    1,087,994    1,142,890    1,152,921    1,207,816       1,570,904
  Allocation for IFQ only vessels (5%) (kg)..      409,706      464,255      489,206      493,505      518,406      522,956      547,856         712,549
  Allocation for LA vessels with IFQ permits        90,325      102,351      107,851      108,799      114,289      115,292      120,782         157,090
   (0.5%) (lb)...............................
  Allocation for LA vessels with IFQ permits        40,971       46,426       48,920       49,350       51,841       52,296       54,786          71,255
   (0.5%) (kg)...............................
  Total Allocation * for IFQ fishery (5.5%)        993,572    1,125,860    1,186,366    1,196,794    1,257,179    1,268,213    1,328,597       1,727,994
   (lb)......................................
  Total Allocation * for IFQ fishery (5.5%)        450,676      510,681      538,126      542,856      570,246      575,251      602,641         783,804
   (kg)......................................
  % Change in estimated landings (and               -42.5%       -34.8%       -31.3%       -30.7%       -27.2%       -26.6%       -23.1%            0.0%
   revenue) per business entity from SQ (FW34
   Pref Alt).................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* APL with set aside removed.


[[Page 13416]]


                        Table 14--Impacts of the Preferred Alternative 2 Option 3 and Other Alternatives for NGOM Scallop Fishery
                                                 [2023 Fishing year and monetary values in 2022 dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              FY2023
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                   Alternative 2
               Data and values                                             Alternative 1 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            (no action)                                      Option 3
                                                                                             Option 1        Option 2       (preferred)      Option 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                F = 0.15        F = 0.18        F = 0.15        F = 0.18
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LA/RSA share--scallop lbs....................  lb                         ..............          25,000          25,000          25,000          25,000
                                               kg                         ..............          11,340          11,340          11,340          11,340
1% NGOM ABC for Observers....................  lb                         ..............          10,538          10,538          10,538          10,538
                                               kg                         ..............           4,780           4,780           4,780           4,780
LAGC share--scallop lbs......................  lb                                448,062         303,693         367,627         380,855         458,016
                                               kg                                203,237         137,753         166,753         172,753         207,752
Total Pounds w/RSA, observers, etc...........  lb                         ..............         357,149         421,083         434,311         511,472
                                               kg                         ..............         162,000         191,000         197,000         232,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impacts on the LAGC NGOM share--scallop lbs.:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Estimated LAGC revenue.......................................      $6,953,922      $4,713,315      $5,705,571      $5,910,870      $7,108,408
   DAS..........................................................           2,240           1,518           1,838           1,904           2,290
   Trip costs ($1,000 per DAS)..................................      $2,240,310      $1,518,465      $1,838,135      $1,904,275      $2,290,080
   Net revenue..................................................      $4,713,612      $3,194,850      $3,867,436      $4,006,595      $4,818,328
   Net revenue net of No Action.................................              $0    ($1,518,762)      ($846,176)      ($707,018)        $104,716
Net revenue net of No Action %..........................................           0.00%          -32.2%          -18.0%          -15.0%            2.2%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Subjects 50 CFR Part 648

    Fisheries, Fishing, Recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

    Dated: February 16, 2023.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, NMFS proposes to amend 50 
CFR part 648 as follows:

PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN 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.  648.2, revise the definition ``bushel'' to read as follows:


Sec.  648.2  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Bushel (bu) means a standard unit of volumetric measurement deemed 
to hold 1.88 ft\3\ (53.24 L) of surfclams or ocean quahogs in shell.
* * * * *
0
3. In Sec.  648.14, revise paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (ii), (i)(1)(iv)(A) 
and (B), (i)(1)(vi)(A)(2), (i)(2)(ii)(A), (i)(2)(ii)(B), and paragraphs 
(i)(2)(iii)(B), (i)(2)(vi)(B) and (D), and (i)(3)(v)(E) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.14  Prohibitions.

* * * * *
    (i) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) Permit requirement. Fish for, possess, or land scallops without 
the vessel having been issued and carrying onboard a valid Federal 
scallop permit in accordance with Sec.  648.4(a)(2), unless the 
scallops were harvested by a vessel that has not been issued a Federal 
scallop permit and fishes for scallops exclusively in state waters.
    (ii) Gear and crew requirements. Have a shucking or sorting machine 
on board a vessel while in possession of more than 600 lb (272.2 kg) of 
shucked scallops, unless that vessel has not been issued a Federal 
scallop permit and fishes exclusively in state waters.
* * * * *
    (iv) * * *
    (A) Land, offload, remove, or otherwise transfer; or attempt to 
land, offload, remove or otherwise transfer; scallops from one vessel 
to another, unless that vessel has not been issued a Federal scallop 
permit and fishes exclusively in state waters.
    (B) Sell, barter, or trade, or otherwise transfer scallops from a 
vessel; or attempt to sell, barter or trade, or otherwise transfer 
scallops from a vessel; for a commercial purpose, unless the vessel has 
been issued a valid Federal scallop permit pursuant to Sec.  
648.4(a)(2), or the scallops were harvested by a vessel that has not 
been issued a Federal scallop permit and fishes for scallops 
exclusively in state waters.
* * * * *
    (vi) * * *
    (A) * * *
    (2) Transit or enter the Habitat Management Areas specified in 
Sec.  648.370, except as provided by Sec.  648.370(i).
* * * * *
    (2) * * *
    (ii) * * *
    (A) Possess more than 40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked, or 333 lb (151 
kg) of in-shell scallops, or participate in the scallop DAS or Area 
Access programs, while in the possession of trawl nets that have a 
maximum sweep exceeding 144 ft (43.9 m), as measured by the total 
length of the footrope that is directly attached to the webbing of the 
net, except as specified in Sec.  648.51(a)(1), unless the vessel is 
fishing under the Northeast multispecies or monkfish DAS program.
    (B) While under or subject to the DAS allocation program, in 
possession of more than 40 lb (18.1 kg) of shucked scallops or 333 lb 
(151 kg) of in-shell scallops, or fishing for scallops in the EEZ:
* * * * *
    (iii) * * *
    (B) Fish for, possess, or land more than 3,332 lb (1,511 kg) of in-
shell scallops inside the VMS Demarcation Line on or by a vessel, 
except as provided in the state waters exemption, as specified in Sec.  
648.54.
* * * * *
    (vi) * * *

[[Page 13417]]

    (B) Transit the Area II Scallop Rotational Area or the New York 
Bight Scallop Rotational Area, as defined in Sec.  648.60(b) and (j), 
unless 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.
    (C) * * *
    (D) Possess more than 3,332 lb (1,511 kg) of in-shell scallops 
outside the boundaries of a Scallop Access Area by a vessel that is 
declared into the Scallop Access Area Program as specified in Sec.  
648.59.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (v) * * *
    (E) Transit the Area II Scallop Rotational Area or New York Bight 
Scallop Rotational Area, as defined in Sec.  648.60(b) and (j), unless 
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.
* * * * *
0
4. In Sec.  648.51, revise paragraphs (a) introductory text and (f)(1) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  648.51  Gear and crew restrictions

    (a) Trawl vessel gear restrictions. Trawl vessels issued a limited 
access scallop permit under Sec.  648.4(a)(2) while fishing under or 
subject to the DAS allocation program for scallops and authorized to 
fish with or possess on board trawl nets pursuant to Sec.  648.51(f), 
any trawl vessels in possession of more than 40 lb (18.14 kg) of 
shucked, or 333 lb (151 kg) of in-shell scallops in or from the EEZ, 
and any trawl vessels fishing for scallops in the EEZ, must comply with 
the following:
* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (1) Restrictions. A vessel issued a limited access scallop permit 
fishing for scallops under the scallop DAS allocation program may not 
fish with, possess on board, or land scallops while in possession of a 
trawl net, unless such vessel has been issued a limited access trawl 
vessel permit that endorses the vessel to fish for scallops with a 
trawl net. A limited access scallop vessel issued a trawl vessel permit 
that endorses the vessel to fish for scallops with a trawl net and 
general category scallop vessels enrolled in the Area Access Program as 
specified in Sec.  648.59, may not fish for scallops with a trawl net 
in the Area II Rotational Area specified in Sec.  648.60(b).
* * * * *
0
5. In Sec.  648.52, revise paragraphs (a) through (f) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  648.52  Possession and landing limits.

    (a) IFQ trips--(1) Open area trips. A vessel issued an IFQ scallop 
permit that is declared into the IFQ scallop fishery in the open area, 
as specified in Sec.  648.10(f), 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, 
unless as specified in paragraph (g) of this section or exempted under 
the state waters exemption program described in Sec.  648.54, may not 
possess or land, per trip, more than 600 lb (272 kg) of shucked 
scallops, or possess more than 4,998 lb (2,267 kg) 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 6,664 lb 
(3,023 kg) of in-shell scallops seaward of the VMS Demarcation Line on 
a properly declared IFQ scallop trip, 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.
    (2) Access areas trips. A vessel issued an IFQ scallop permit that 
is declared into the IFQ Scallop Access Area Program, as specified in 
Sec.  648.10(f), may not possess or land, per trip, more than 800 lb 
(363 kg) of shucked scallops, or possess more than 6,664 lb (3,023 kg) 
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 6,664 lb (3,023 kg) of in-shell scallops seaward of 
the VMS Demarcation Line on a properly declared IFQ scallop access area 
trip.
    (b) NGOM trips. A vessel issued an NGOM scallop permit, or an IFQ 
scallop permit that is declared into the NGOM scallop fishery and 
fishing against the NGOM Set-Aside 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 1,666 lb (756) 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 
3,332 lb (1,511 kg) of in-shell scallops seaward of the VMS demarcation 
line on a properly declared NGOM scallop fishery trip.
    (c) Incidental trips. 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 333 lb (151 kg) 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 666 lb (302 kg) of in-
shell scallops seaward of the VMS Demarcation Line.
    (d) Limited access vessel access area trips. Owners or operators of 
vessels with a limited access scallop permit that have properly 
declared into the Scallop Access Area Program as described in Sec.  
648.59 are prohibited from fishing for or landing per trip, or 
possessing at any time, scallops in excess of any sea scallop 
possession and landing limit set by the Regional Administrator in 
accordance with Sec.  648.59(b)(3).
    (e) Limited access vessel open area in-shell scallop possession 
limit. Owners or operators of vessels issued limited access permits are 
prohibited from fishing for, possessing, or landing per trip more than 
3,332 lb (1,511 kg) of in-shell scallops shoreward of the VMS 
Demarcation Line, unless when fishing under the state waters exemption 
specified under Sec.  648.54.
    (f) Limited access vessel access area in-shell scallop possession 
limit. A limited access vessel that is declared into the Scallop Area 
Access Program as described in Sec.  648.59, may not possess more than 
3,332 lb (1,511 kg) of in-shell scallops outside of the Access Areas 
described in Sec.  648.60.
* * * * *
0
6. In Sec.  648.53, revise paragraphs (a)(9) and (b)(3) 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) * * *
    (9) Scallop fishery catch limits. The following catch limits will 
be effective for the 2023 and 2024 fishing years:

[[Page 13418]]



        Table 2 to Paragraph (a)(9)--Scallop Fishery Catch Limits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Catch limits                   2023 (mt)     2024 (mt) \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OFL.....................................          27,504          29,151
ABC/ACL (discards removed)..............          19,828          20,206
Incidental Landings.....................              23              23
RSA.....................................             578             578
Observer Set-Aside......................             198             202
NGOM Set-Aside..........................             175             130
ACL for fishery.........................          18,853          19,403
Limited Access ACL......................          17,816          18,335
LAGC Total ACL..........................           1,037           1,067
LAGC IFQ ACL (5 percent of ACL).........             943             970
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ ACL (0.5                 94              97
 percent of ACL)........................
Limited Access ACT......................          15,441          15,891
APL (after set-asides removed)..........          10,368             (1)
Limited Access APL (94.5 percent of APL)           9,798             (1)
Total IFQ Annual Allocation (5.5 percent             570             428
 of APL) \2\............................
LAGC IFQ Annual Allocation (5 percent of             518             389
 APL) \2\...............................
Limited Access with LAGC IFQ Annual                   52              39
 Allocation (0.5 percent of APL) \2\....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The catch limits for the 2024 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. This
  includes the setting of an APL for 2024 that will be based on the 2023
  annual scallop surveys. The 2024 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 2024
  IFQ annual allocations are set at 75 percent of the 2023 IFQ Annual
  Allocations.

    (b) * * *
    (3) DAS allocations. The DAS allocations for limited access scallop 
vessels for fishing years 2023 and 2024 are as follows:

     Table 3 to Paragraph (b)(3)--Scallop Open Area DAS Allocations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Permit category                   2023          2024 \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time...............................           24.00           18.00
Part-Time...............................            9.60            7.20
Occasional..............................            2.00             1.5
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The DAS allocations for the 2024 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. The
  2024 DAS allocations are set at 75 percent of the 2023 allocation as a
  precautionary measure.

* * * * *
0
7. In Sec.  648.59, revise paragraphs (a)(2) and (3), (b)(3)(i), 
(b)(6)(ii), (c), (e)(1) and (2), (g)(1), (g)(3)(v), and (g)(4)(ii) to 
read as follows:


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

    (a) * * *
    (2) Transiting a Scallop Rotational Closed Area. No vessel 
possessing scallops may enter or be in the area(s) specified in this 
section when those areas are closed, as specified through the 
specifications or framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  
648.55, 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 New 
York Bight Scallop Rotational Area, as defined in Sec.  648.60(j), 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.
    (3) Transiting a Scallop Rotational Access Area. Any sea scallop 
vessel that has not declared a trip into the Scallop Access Area 
Program may enter a Scallop Access Area, and possess scallops not 
caught in the Scallop Access Areas, for transiting purposes only, 
provided the vessel's fishing gear is stowed and not available for 
immediate use as defined in Sec.  648.2. Any scallop vessel that has 
declared a trip into the Scallop Area Access Program may not enter or 
be in another Scallop Access Area on the same trip except such vessel 
may transit another Scallop Access Area provided its 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 Area II Scallop Rotational Area, 
as defined in Sec.  648.60(b), 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.
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (i) Limited access vessel allocations and possession limits.
    (A) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the 
specifications or framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  
648.55 determine the total amount of scallops, in weight, that a 
limited access scallop vessel may harvest from Scallop Access Areas 
during applicable seasons specified in Sec.  648.60. A vessel may not 
possess or land in excess of its scallop allocation assigned to 
specific 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 (b)(3)(ii) of this section. A vessel may harvest 
its scallop allocation

[[Page 13419]]

on any number of trips in a given fishing year, provided that no single 
trip exceeds the possession limits specified in the specifications or 
framework adjustment processes defined in Sec.  648.55, unless 
authorized by the Regional Administrator, as specified in paragraphs 
(c) and (d) of this section. No vessel declared into the Scallop Access 
Areas may possess more than 3,332 lb (1,511 kg) of in-shell scallops 
outside of the Scallop Rotational Area boundaries defined in Sec.  
648.60.
    (B) The following access area allocations and possession limits for 
limited access vessels shall be effective for the 2023 and 2024 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                             2024 Scallop allocation
        Rotational access area                  limit           2023 Scallop allocation         (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area II..............................  12,000 lb (5,443 kg)     24,000 lb (10,886 kg)..  0 lb (0 kg).
                                        per trip.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total............................  .......................  24,000 lb (10,886 kg)..  0 lb (0 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) [Reserved]
    (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                             2024 Scallop allocation
        Rotational access area                  limit           2023 Scallop allocation         (default)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area II..............................  9,600 lb (4,082 kg) per  9,600 lb (4,354 kg)....  0 lb (0 kg).
                                        trip.
                                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total............................  .......................  9,600 lb (4,354 kg)....  0 lb (0 kg).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) Occasional limited access vessels.
    (i) For the 2023 fishing year only, an occasional limited access 
vessel is allocated 2,000 lb (907 kg) of scallops with a trip 
possession limit at 2,000 lb of scallops per trip (907 kg per trip). 
Occasional limited access vessels may harvest the 2,000 lb (907 kg) 
allocation from Area II Access Area.
    (ii) For the 2024 fishing year, occasional limited access vessels 
are not allocated scallops in any rotational access area.
* * * * *
    (6) * * *
    (ii) Vessels fishing in the Area II Scallop Rotational Area defined 
in Sec.  648.60(b) are prohibited from fishing with trawl gear as 
specified in Sec.  648.51(f)(1).
* * * * *
    (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 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 Closed Area II Access Area at the end of 
fishing year 2022, that vessel may harvest those 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) 
during the first 60 days that the Closed Area II Access Area is open in 
fishing year 2023 (April 1, 2023 through May 30, 2023).
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (1) 2023: Nantucket Lightship-North Scallop Rotational Area only 
for LAGC IFQ vessels during the first 90 days of fishing year 2023.
    (i) through (ii) [Reserved]
    (2) 2024: No access areas.
* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) An LAGC scallop vessel may only fish in the scallop rotational 
areas specified in Sec.  648.60 or in paragraph (g)(3)(iv) of this 
section, subject to any additional restrictions specified in Sec.  
648.60, subject to the possession limit and access area schedule 
specified in the specifications or framework adjustment processes 
defined in Sec.  648.55, provided the vessel complies with the 
requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(1), (2), and (6) through (9), 
(d), (e), (f), and (g) of this section. A vessel issued both a NE 
multispecies permit and an LAGC scallop permit may fish in an approved 
SAP under Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the Area II and 
Nantucket Lightship North Scallop Rotational Area specified in Sec.  
648.60, when open, provided the vessel complies with the requirements 
specified in Sec.  648.59 and this paragraph (g), but may not fish for, 
possess, or land scallops on such trips.
* * * * *
    (3) * * *
    (v) LAGC IFQ access area allocations. The following LAGC IFQ access 
area trip allocations will be effective for the 2023 and 2024 fishing 
years:

[[Page 13420]]



                     Table 3 to Paragraph (g)(3)(v)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Scallop access area                 2023          2024 \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nantucket Lightship-North/Area II.......             571               0
                                         -------------------------------
    Total...............................             571               0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The LAGC IFQ access area trip allocations for the 2024 fishing year
  are subject to change through a future specifications action or
  framework adjustment.

    (4) * * *
    (ii) Other species. Unless issued an LAGC IFQ scallop permit and 
fishing under an approved NE multispecies SAP under NE multispecies 
DAS, an LAGC IFQ vessel fishing in the Area II Rotational Area 
specified in Sec.  648.60, and the Nantucket Lightship North Scallop 
Access Area specified in paragraph (g)(3)(iv) of this section is 
prohibited from possessing any species of fish other than scallops and 
monkfish, as specified in Sec.  648.94(c)(8)(i). Such a vessel may fish 
in an approved SAP under Sec.  648.85 and under multispecies DAS in the 
scallop access area, provided that it has not declared into the Scallop 
Access Area Program. Such a vessel is prohibited from fishing for, 
possessing, or landing scallops.
* * * * *
0
8. In Sec.  648.60,
0
a. Revise paragraphs (b) and (c);
0
b. Remove and reserve paragraphs (d) and (e);
0
c. Revise paragraph (g);
0
d. Remove and reserve paragraph (h);
0
e. Revise paragraphs (i) and (j); and
0
f. Add paragraph (k).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  648.60  Sea Scallop Rotational Areas.

* * * * *
    (b) Area II Scallop Rotational Area--
    (1) Area II Scallop Rotational Area boundary. The Area II 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 1 to Paragraph (b)(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Point                        N latitude               W longitude                  Note
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AII1................................  41[deg]30'                67[deg]20'               .......................
AII2................................  41[deg]30'                (\1\)                    (\2\)
AII3................................  40[deg]40'                (\3\)                    (\2\)
AII4................................  40[deg]40'                67[deg]20'               .......................
AII1................................  41[deg]30'                67[deg]20'               .......................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 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\ From Point AII2 connected to Point AII3 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.

    (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 Area II 
Scallop Rotational Area, defined in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, 
during the period of August 15 through November 15 of each year the 
Area II Access Area is open to scallop vessels, unless transiting 
pursuant to Sec.  648.59(a).
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (c) Area I Scallop Rotational Area. The 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 2 to Paragraph (c)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N latitude          W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIA1...........................  41[deg]30'           68[deg]30'
AIA2...........................  40[deg]58'           68[deg]30'
AIA3...........................  40[deg]54.95'        68[deg]53.37'
AIA4...........................  41[deg]30'           69[deg]23'
AIA1...........................  41[deg]30'           68[deg]30'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (d) through (e) [Reserved]
* * * * *
    (g) Nantucket Lightship-North Scallop Rotational Area. (1) 
Boundaries. 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 3 to Paragraph (g)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             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'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Season. (i) For the 2023 fishing year, a limited access vessel 
may not fish for, possess, or land scallops in or from the area known 
as the Nantucket Lightship North Scallop Rotational Area, defined in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this section, during the period of April 1 through 
June 29, unless transiting pursuant to Sec.  648.59(a). One June 30, 
the Nantucket Lightship North Scallop Rotational Area shall become part 
of the open area for limited access vessels.
    (ii) For the 2023 fishing year, upon a determination from the 
Regional Administrator that the total number of LAGC IFQ access area 
trips have been or are projected to be taken, the Nantucket Lightship 
North Scallop Rotational Area shall become part of the open area for 
LAGC IFQ vessels.
    (h) [Reserved]
    (i) Nantucket Lightship-West Scallop Rotational Area. 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 available from the Regional Administrator upon 
request):

[[Page 13421]]



                        Table 4 to Paragraph (i)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N latitude          W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NLSW1..........................  40[deg]43.44'        70[deg]20'
NLSW2..........................  40[deg]43.44'        70[deg]00'
NLSW3..........................  40[deg]43.44'        69[deg]30'
NLSW4..........................  40[deg]20'           69[deg]30'
NLSW5..........................  40[deg]20'           70[deg]00'
NLSW6..........................  40[deg]26.63'        70[deg]20'
NLSW1..........................  40[deg]43.44'        70[deg]20'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (j) New York Bight Scallop Rotational Area. The New York Bight 
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 5 to Paragraph (j)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N latitude          W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NYB1...........................  40[deg]00'           73[deg]20'
NYB2...........................  40[deg]00'           72[deg]30'
NYB3...........................  39[deg]20'           72[deg]30'
NYB4...........................  39[deg]20'           73[deg]20'
NYB1...........................  40[deg]00'           73[deg]20'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (k) Elephant Trunk Scallop Rotational Area. The Elephant Trunk 
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 6 to Paragraph (k)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Point                    N latitude          W longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ET1............................  38[deg]50'           74[deg]20'
ET2............................  38[deg]50'           73[deg]30'
ET3............................  38[deg]10'           73[deg]30'
ET4............................  38[deg]10'           74[deg]20'
ET1............................  38[deg]50'           74[deg]20'
------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
9. In Sec.  648.62, revise paragraph (b)(1) to read as follows:


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

    (b) * * *
    (1) The following landings limits will be effective for the NGOM 
for the 2023 and 2024 fishing years.

                       Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Landings limits                 2023              2024 \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NGOM TAL........................  434,311 lb          318,573 (114,502
                                   (197,000 kg).       kg).\3\
1 percent NGOM ABC for Observers  10,538 lb (4,780    7,932 (3,598
                                   kg).                kg).\3\
RSA Contribution................  25,000 lb (11,340   25,000 lb (11,340
                                   kg).                kg).
NGOM Set-Aside \2\..............  380,855 lb          285,641 lb
                                   (172,753 kg).       (129,565 kg).
NGOM APL........................  0 lb (0 kg).......  0 lb (0 kg)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The landings limits for the 2024 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment.
\2\ For fishing year 2023 the NGOM Set-Aside has been reduced by 17,918
  lb (8,127 kg) to account for a limited access general category NGOM
  total allowable catch overage in 2021.
\3\ The catch limits for the 2024 fishing year are subject to change
  through a future specifications action or framework adjustment. This
  includes the setting of an APL for 2024 that will be based on the 2023
  annual scallop surveys.

* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2023-03654 Filed 3-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P