Expansion of the Great South Channel and Southern New England Dredge Exemption Areas and Prelanding Requirements for Days At-Sea

Effective February 14, 2020.

NOAA Fisheries has expanded the boundaries of the current Great South Channel and Southern New England Scallop Dredge Exemption Areas for the Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota fishery creating a single area south of 42° 20’ N lat. and east of the Mid-Atlantic Exemption Area. All other Limited Access General Category Individual Fishing Quota regulatory requirements such as the requirement to use dredge gear 10.5 ft or less and possession limits for both scallops and monkfish remain unchanged.

In addition, the rule implements new prelanding reporting requirements for limited access vessels sailing on an open area days-at-sea. Limited access vessels are now required to send in a prelanding vessel monitoring system report on all scallop trips.