US regulators schedule hearings on letting scallop permits be stacked
The National Marine Fisheries Service is holding five public hearings from November to December 2026 to gather views on whether the Commerce Secretary should develop an amendment to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan. The proposal would consider letting scallop boats combine permits, a practice called permit stacking. No decision has been made, and written comments are due January 4, 2027.
This summary was generated by AI; the official source prevails.
What does it mean?
Regulators want to hear from the public before deciding whether scallop boats could combine their permits. If they go ahead, the rules would change for the limited access scallop fleet. Anyone with an opinion can speak at a hearing or send written comments by January 4, 2027.
Who is affected?
Owners and operators of boats in the limited access scallop fleet, and others interested in Atlantic scallop fishing.