NOAA Fisheries Service Implements Sea Scallop Emergency Action

NOAA Fisheries Service implements an observer service provider program for the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery including criteria for becoming an approved observer service provider, observer certification criteria, decertification criteria, and observer deployment logistics.  This emergency rule (Effective from June 16, 2006 through December 13, 2006) re-activats the industry-funded observer program implemented under the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan through a scallop total allowable catch (TAC) and days-at-sea (DAS) set-aside program that helps vessel owners defray the cost of carrying observers.  Under this emergency action, scallop vessel owners, operators, or vessel managers are required to procure certified fishery observers for specified scallop fishing trips from an approved observer service provider.  This emergency rule maintains the existing requirements for scallop vessel owners to pay for observers whether or not scallop TAC or DAS set-aside is available.  For more information regarding the amended regulations, contact Pete Christopher, Fishery Policy Analyst, at 978-281-9288.

• Permit Holder Letter (June 26, 2006)
• Federal Register Notice (June 16, 2006)
  • E-mail comments may be submitted to: ScallopAU47@noaa.gov.  Include in the subject line the following document identifier: "Comments on Scallop Emergency Action"
  • Comments must be received by 5 p.m., local time, on July 17, 2006
• 2006 Sea Scallop Observer Program - Listing of contact information for all currently approved observer service providers.  Additional information includes application instructions for potential providers, sea day schedules, observer equipment lists, observer certification/probation policies, etc.
• Proposed Information Collection; Northeast Region Observer Providers Requirements (July 6, 2006)
  • E-mail comments may be submitted to: dHynek@doc.gov 
  • Written comments must be submitted on or before September 5, 2006

Last Updated: July 6, 2006