Contact: Gordon Helm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(301)713-2370 12/8/95
Scallop dredge fishermen are reminded that effective Jan. 1, 1996, the inside ring size on scallop dredges must be a minimum size of 3« inches (89 mm), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service.
"Time is running out on getting the new rings," said Andy Rosenberg, fisheries service northeast region director. "We will be enforcing the new ring size requirements on Jan. 1 and advise all scallopers to be in compliance with the regulation for all landings on or following that date."
The new minimum ring size affects all scallop dredge vessels fishing for or in possession of more than 40 pounds of shucked scallops or more than five U.S. bushels of in-shell scallops, along with all scallop dredge vessels with federal scallop permits fishing under the days-at-sea program. Affected permit holders must comply with these gear restrictions published in the Federal Register (50 CFR 650.21 (b)(3)(ii)).
This restriction does not apply to hydraulic clam dredges and mahogany quahog dredges in possession of 400 or fewer pounds of scallops. Vessels operating under the state waters scallop exemption program in states with smaller minimum ring size restrictions are also exempt from this requirement.
For further information on the regulation, call Paul H. Jones at 508/281-9273.