Overview
Title
Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework Adjustment 39 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is making new rules for catching scallops in the ocean to make sure there are still lots of them for the future. They want to help fishermen catch more scallops without hurting baby scallops or other sea animals.
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has approved and implemented Framework Adjustment 39 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. This rule sets fishing specifications and management measures for 2025 and 2026, including allocations of fishing effort, opening and closure of certain areas to protect juvenile scallops, and clarifications to research set-aside program regulations. The aim is to prevent overfishing, improve scallop yields, and optimize management of the fishery. Framework 39 increases opportunities for harvesting while managing bycatch and preserving scallop stock sustainability.
Abstract
NMFS approves and implements Framework Adjustment 39 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that establishes specifications and other management measures for fishing years 2025 and 2026, including fishing effort allocation into access areas, modifying when areas open to optimize yield and minimize bycatch, and closures to protect juvenile scallops. Vessels with a limited access general category B permit may transit outside of the Northern Gulf of Maine with scallops onboard. Research set-aside program regulations are clarified. This action is necessary to prevent overfishing and improve resource yield-per-recruit and management of the fishery.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document in question is a rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as part of the Framework Adjustment 39 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. This rule sets forth the management strategies and controls to be in effect for the fishing years 2025 and 2026. The primary goal of this rule is to prevent overfishing, optimize scallop yield, and ensure sustainable fishery management practices.
General Summary
Framework Adjustment 39 outlines specific allocations for fishing efforts within designated access areas. These include modifications in seasonal opening and closure of fishing areas to protect juvenile scallops and to minimize bycatch, which refers to the incidental catch of non-target species. The rule also addresses the clarification of the research set-aside program regulations. The intention of these regulations is to ensure the sustainability of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery, thus balancing the economic interests of the fishing industry with environmental conservation objectives.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One significant issue is the technical complexity of the document. It encompasses numerous specialized terms and acronyms such as OFL (Overfishing Limit), ABC (Acceptable Biological Catch), ACL (Annual Catch Limit), DAS (Days-at-Sea), and RSA (Research Set-Aside), which might not be easily understood by a general audience or stakeholders without specialized knowledge in the fisheries sector.
Furthermore, the reliance on scientific assessments from 2020 raises concerns regarding the integration of more recent data. Fisheries management is an evolving science, and it is crucial to ensure that all decisions are based on the best and most current information available. Stakeholders may question whether emerging trends and more recent data have been adequately considered.
There is also an implicit concern about equity in regulatory changes. While the document outlines various management measures, it does not explicitly discuss how these changes would impact smaller industry stakeholders compared to larger entities. This aspect could become a point of contention if smaller businesses feel disproportionately burdened by new regulations.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the document aims to promote sustainable fishing practices in the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery, which should, in the long term, benefit the public by helping preserve the marine ecosystem and ensuring a steady supply of scallops. The public, as consumers, may also see indirect benefits through potential price stabilization resulting from more predictable and sustainable scallop yields.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Smaller entities in the fishing industry might face challenges due to the technical nature of the regulations and the potential need for adjustments in their fishing practices. While the document refers to a "small entity compliance guide" to assist such stakeholders, its absence in this text raises accessibility barriers, potentially hindering smaller operations from understanding and complying with the new regulations.
On the other hand, stakeholders such as environmental groups may view these steps as positive. The framework includes measures aimed at protecting juvenile scallops and minimizing bycatch, aligning with broader conservation goals.
Overall, while Framework Adjustment 39 is aimed at balancing resource sustainability with economic benefits, effectively communicating these complex regulations to all stakeholders remains a key challenge. The rule's outcome will likely depend on its implementation and how well smaller stakeholders can adapt to the regulatory adjustments.
Financial Assessment
The document under review involves various financial references and allocations related to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. These financial components play a significant role in the regulation's attempt to balance resource management with economic interests within the fishery sector.
Summary of Financial Allocations
The document primarily discusses financial allocations related to research and catch limits for fishing years 2025 and 2026. A notable allocation is the 1.275 million pounds of scallops annually set aside for research purposes, known as the Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA). This figure translates to 578 metric tons per year. The importance of this allocation is underscored by its intent to fund essential research that supports both scallop science and management. Additionally, an industry-funded observer program is supported by deducting one percent of the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), amounting to 394,627 pounds in 2025 and 390,218 pounds in 2026.
Furthermore, the document establishes an 800,000-pound trigger for the Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM) directed fishery, determining how additional landings are allocated between fleets. The NGOM Scallop Fishery has a specific Total Allowable Landings (TAL) set at 675,563 pounds for 2025, factoring in deductions for the RSA and observer programs.
Financial References and Identified Issues
The document outlines financial thresholds to define small businesses, stating that in the shellfish fishery, a small business is one with annual receipts of less than $11 million. However, despite these thresholds, the financial impacts and how compliance with the regulation is managed by these small businesses might not be fully addressed within the document. This oversight ties into a broader issue where the regulation's complexity and extensive use of technical jargon could hinder the ability of smaller entities to comprehend and comply with the changes.
One of the concerns highlighted is the absence of an included compliance guide within the document itself, which may be crucial for small businesses trying to navigate these financial and regulatory waters effectively. Additionally, while the document makes various financial allocations, there is no elaborate discussion on the differential impact these allocations might have on smaller stakeholders compared to larger entities, leading to potential disparities in how these regulations might be absorbed by different business sizes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the financial allocations within the rule appear methodical and integral to fisheries management, there is a noticeable gap in addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by smaller entities affected by these financial references. The absence of detailed guidance materials, directly embedded within the document or easily accessible through the document, represents a potential barrier to effective compliance and understanding for small businesses in the fisheries sector.
Issues
• The document contains several sections that are highly detailed and technical, which might be difficult for stakeholders without specialized knowledge to fully understand.
• There is extensive use of acronyms and technical terms (e.g., OFL, ABC, ACL, DAS, RSA) that may not be explained well enough for non-experts to grasp easily.
• The methodology for determining various catch limits based on scientific assessments from 2020 appears to rely heavily on historical data; there might be concerns about whether more recent data or emerging trends have been sufficiently considered.
• The document describes complex regulatory changes without explicit discussion of how these changes impact smaller stakeholders differently from larger entities, which could raise concerns about equitable treatment.
• The document refers to a 'small entity compliance guide' but it is not included within the document itself, which could create a barrier to small entities trying to understand and comply with the regulation.