NOAA Fisheries Opens Scoping on Atlantic Sea Scallop Permit Stacking: Two Permits Could Be Combined on One Vessel, Five Hearings Start in November
NOAA Fisheries, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced on November 3 that it has opened scoping and is seeking public comment on permit stacking in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. The Secretary of Commerce is considering an amendment to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that would allow two limited access scallop permits to be combined on a single vessel. NOAA Fisheries will hold five public hearings in November and December, and written scoping comments are due by January 4, 2027.
The consideration follows comments received in response to Executive Order 14276, which directed efforts to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and enhance its economic profitability. Under the approach being considered, the two permits would have to be within the same category and under common ownership or control, and the vessel would be permitted to fish the allocations for both permits. NOAA Fisheries said the aim is to address excess capacity in the limited access scallop fishery and reduce business expenses associated with maintaining multiple vessels with low days-at-sea allocations.
The five hearings are scheduled as follows: November 17, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Boston Logan Airport, 100 Boardman St., Boston, Massachusetts, beginning about 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Joint Scallop Committee and Advisory Panel meeting; a webinar on November 23, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; December 3, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at the Barnegat Light Volunteer Fire Department, 907 Central Ave, Barnegat Light, New Jersey; a second webinar on December 7, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and December 14, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology East, 836 South Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, Massachusetts. Registration is available for each meeting.
In addition to speaking at a hearing, members of the public may submit written scoping comments through January 4, 2027. NOAA Fisheries has posted the scoping document and meeting details for fishermen and other interested parties. Whether to develop the potential Secretarial amendment will be decided after the comments are considered.
(Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：停靠在 Massachusetts 州 New Bedford 港的扇贝渔船（资料图）。美国国家职业安全卫生研究所（NIOSH）摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Scallop fishing vessels docked at New Bedford, Massachusetts (file photo). By the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
