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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AW31 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: Addition of Monkfish Incidental Catch Trip Limit to the Existing Scallop Dredge Exemption Areas 
Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service amends its regulations to modify the regulations implementing the Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) to create three Scallop Dredge Exemption Areas that are identical to the current exempted fisheries, except for the addition of an incidental monkfish catch limit. These new exempted fisheries would be restricted to vessels issued either a general category Atlantic sea scallop permit or a limited access sea scallop permit (when not fishing under a scallop days-at-sea limitation), when fishing for scallops with small dredges (combined width not to exceed 10.5 ft (3.2 m)). Vessels that land an incidental catch of monkfish within these new exempted fisheries would be required to obtain a monkfish incidental catch permit. This rule responds to a request from the fishing industry to add an incidental catch limit for monkfish, to these existing exempted fisheries, consistent with the monkfish regulations. Currently, within the three scallop dredge exempted fisheries, only Atlantic sea scallops may be landed. The intent of this action is to allow small scallop dredge vessels to land monkfish that they are currently discarding in a manner that is consistent with the bycatch reduction objectives of the FMP. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 648   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  04/29/2008  73 FR 23175   
NPRM Comment Period End  05/14/2008    
Final Action  06/16/2008  73 FR 33922   
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Patricia A. Kurkul
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
55 Great Republic Way,
Gloucester, MA 01930
Phone:978 281-9200
Fax:978 281-9117
Email: pat.kurkul@noaa.gov