Federal Register #2026-15122

Request for Comments: Exempted Fishing Permit for Electronic Monitoring in Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Greater Atlantic Region, 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 (developer of fish measuring system) - Products/Services Requested: - Installation and operation of electronic monitoring (EM) systems (cameras, sensors, GPS units) on six commercial sea scallop fishing vessels - Use of electronic logbooks and paired winch sensors - Collection of catch and bycatch data using a novel fish measuring and identification system developed with Acbotics Research, LLC - Dredge gear for six vessels - Project Scope and Notable Requirements: - Six federally permitted vessels will participate, each outfitted with EM systems - 48 research trips planned over two years (24 trips per year) - Regulatory exemptions requested for alternative days-at-sea (DAS) calculation and continuous transit through closed scallop areas with stowed gear - Data collection to follow Industry-Funded Scallop observer protocol - Project funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program - No direct product procurement; the notice supports research and technology evaluation in fisheries management

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 proposed by CFF. The project aims to evaluate the use of electronic monitoring systems in the U.S. Atlantic sea scallop fishery to modernize data collection and improve management efficiencies. The EFP requests exemptions to allow alternative calculation of days-at-sea and continuous transit through scallop rotational areas without fishing. Comments on the application are requested by August 11, 2026.

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