Framework Adjustment 27 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan

The framework document incorporates an Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Review, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, and the Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation Report analyzing the impacts of the proposed Framework 27 measures. If approved, Framework 27 will set scallop fishery management allocations for the 2016 fishing year, including the annual catch limits and annual catch targets for the limited access and limited access general category (LAGC) fleets, and set default 2016 fishing year allocations. In addition, Framework 27 would create a new rotational closed area south of Closed Area II to protect small scallops. In addition, it would open the northern portion of the Nantucket Lightship Access Area (NLSN) to the LAGC fleet and transfer 19 percent of the LAGC access area trips from the Mid-Atlantic Access Area (MAAA) to NLSN.

Framework 27 includes only the fishery specifications for 2016 and default 2017, and generally the specifications are not controversial. However, the Council’s recommendation to allocate exclusive access to northern portion of the Nantucket Lightship Access Area to the Limited Access General Category fleet has created controversy between the Limited Access and Limited Access General Category fleets. However, this proposal appears to be consistent with the Scallop FMP and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act