NOAA Fisheries Service Clarifies the Existing Requirements for Use of Chain Mats by Sea Scallop Vessels and Adds a Transiting Provision to the Requirements

NOAA Fisheries Service has published a final rule in the Federal Register to clarify the existing sea turtle conservation requirements for sea scallop dredge vessels entering waters south of 41° 9.0' N. latitude from May 1 through November 30 each year and to add a transiting provision to the requirements. This current action addresses a procedural error in the original rulemaking to require chain mats on scallop dredge gear, clarifies the existing requirements, and adds a transiting provision to the regulations.

• Final Rule (4/8/08)
• Final Environmental Assessment (March 2008)
• Nautical Chart (April 2008)
• Small Entity Compliance Guide (4/8/08)

Last Updated: April 9, 2008