# Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; State Waters Exemption
> **Rule** · Final rule. · Published 2009-07-30 · Effective 2009-08-31 · 74 FR 37952
## Document
- **Document number:** E9-18263
- **Category:** fishery-mgmt
- **Species:** scallop
- **Federal Register citation:** 74 FR 37952
- **Publication date:** 2009-07-30
- **Effective date:** 2009-08-31
- **NOAA docket:** Docket No. 090224231-91118-02
## Abstract

This final rule allows an exemption from the minimum twine- top mesh size for vessels issued Federal scallop permits and fishing exclusively in State of Maine (ME) waters. In addition, the state waters exemption provides an exemption from scallop days-at-sea (DAS) for limited access DAS scallop vessels, provided the vessel fishes exclusively in ME state waters. The scallop fishery regulations specify that a state may be eligible for a state waters exemption if it has a scallop fishery and a scallop conservation program that does not jeopardize the biomass and fishing mortality/effort limit objectives of the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The regulations further state that the Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (RA), shall determine which states meet those criteria and shall authorize the exemption for such states by publishing a rule in the Federal Register.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/07/30/E9-18263/fisheries-of-the-northeastern-united-states-atlantic-sea-scallop-fishery-state-waters-exemption)
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