NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
January 2, 2001
Carol Tocco, Public Affairs NMFS
(907) 586-7032
NOAA FISHERIES LAUNCHES NEW SCALLOP LICENSE LIMITATION PROGRAM
Officials with NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service announced the start of a new Scallop License Limitation Program (Scallop LLP) for the commercial scallop fishery in federally-managed Alaskan waters, effective January 16, 2001.
The Scallop LLP limits access to the commercial scallop fisheries in Alaska. A qualified person who applies as prescribed will receive a license(s) that authorizes that person to catch and retain scallops. Initial allocation of licenses will be based on the eligibility qualifications outlined in Federal regulations at 50 CFR part 679.4(g).
"This program will allow us to carry out valuable conservation measures," said Jim Balsiger, Alaska Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries. "With this final rule published, we can now take the necessary administrative steps to fully rationalize this small but important scallop fishery."
The application period for a scallop license is January 16, 2001, to February 12, 2001. Applications are available on the NOAA Fisheries web page at http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/ram/default.htm or from the Program Administrator, Restricted Access Management, NMFS Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668, Attn: Philip Smith. Applications may also be obtained in person from NOAA Fisheries in the Federal Building, Room 713, Juneau, AK, or requested by facsimile at (907) 586-7354.
"We strongly urge all eligible applicants to meet the February 12 application deadline," said Balsiger. Under this regulation, the agency has no discretion to accept late applications. Eligible applicants who fail to meet this published deadline will not be granted a permit.
Balsiger added, "We are attempting to avoid that possibility by notifying every person who, according to the agency's Restricted Access Management Program records, may be eligible."
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