Federal Register #RTID 0648-XF863

Electronic Monitoring Systems and Data Collection for Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Research

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, is seeking public comments on an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application for a research project in the Atlantic sea scallop fishery. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region - OEMs and Vendors: - Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) - Acbotics Research, LLC (fish measuring system) - Products/Services Requested: - Electronic Monitoring (EM) systems for six commercial sea scallop vessels - Each system includes two cameras and a GPS unit - Fish measuring and identification system (fishboard and paired scale) developed with Acbotics Research, LLC - Dredge gear for six vessels - Electronic logbook data collection and eVTR (electronic Vessel Trip Reporting) - Participation of six vessels in 48 research trips (24 per year over two years) - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Regulatory exemptions for alternative days-at-sea (DAS) calculations and continuous transit through scallop rotational areas with stowed gear - Use of EM systems for haul-level data collection on catch and bycatch - Adherence to observer protocols for data collection - Project funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program - Each trip involves approximately 100 hauls, focusing on improved data collection and management efficiency

Description

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has preliminarily determined that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application by Coonamessett Farm Foundation (CFF) contains all required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations to support exempted fishing activities. The project aims to advance the use of electronic monitoring in the U.S. Atlantic sea scallop fishery, including testing alternative days-at-sea calculations and allowing transit through scallop rotational areas while stowing gear. Comments on the application are requested by August 11, 2026.

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