Federal Register #2026-22425

NOAA public input on potential sea scallop permit stacking

NOAA is seeking public input on possible changes to sea scallop permit rules, not soliciting products or contracted services. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and its Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office. - Purpose: Gather input on a potential amendment to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan that could allow limited access scallop permits to be stacked on one vessel. - Public engagement: NMFS plans five public hearings and is accepting written scoping comments. - Potential safeguards under consideration: Limit stacking to permits in the same access category; make stacking permanent and irreversible; maintain vessel baseline restrictions; restrict stacking to commonly owned or controlled vessels; and retain the existing 5-percent ownership cap. - Commercial procurement: No products, services, quantities, part numbers, OEMs, or vendors are identified.

Description

NMFS will hold five public hearings in November and December 2026 and solicit written comments on a potential Secretarial amendment to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. If the Secretary of Commerce determines an amendment is warranted, it would consider allowing permit stacking in the limited access scallop fleet. The notice also seeks public input on possible protective management measures. Written comments are due January 4, 2027.

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