Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery; Closure of the Limited Access General Category Scallop Fishery to Individual Fishing Quota Scallop Vessels

NMFS announces that the Limited Access General Category (LAGC) Scallop Fishery will close to individual fishing quota (IFQ) scallop vessels (including vessels issued an IFQ letter of authorization (LOA) to fish under appeal), until it re-opens on September 1, 2009, under current regulations. This action is based on the determination that the second quarter scallop total allowable catch (TAC) for LAGC IFQ scallop vessels is projected to be landed. This action is being taken to prevent IFQ scallop vessels from exceeding the 2009 second quarter TAC, in accordance with the regulations implementing Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), enacted by Framework 19 to the FMP, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.