CFR

CFR

648.74—Shucking at sea.

(a) Observers. (1) The Regional Administrator may allow the shucking of surf clams or ocean quahogs at sea if he/she determines that an observer carried aboard the vessel can measure accurately the total amount of surf clams and ocean quahogs harvested in the shell prior to shucking.

(2) Any vessel owner may apply in writing to the Regional Administrator to shuck surf clams or ocean quahogs at sea. The application shall specify: Name and address of the applicant, permit number of the vessel, method of calculating the amount of surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in the shell, vessel dimensions and accommodations, and length of fishing trip.

(3) The Regional Administrator shall provide an observer to any vessel owner whose application is approved. The owner shall pay all reasonable expenses of carrying the observer on board the vessel.

(4) Any observer shall certify at the end of each trip the amount of surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in the shell by the vessel. Such certification shall be made by the observer's signature on the daily fishing log required by § 648.7.

(b) Conversion factor. (1) Based on the recommendation of the MAFMC, the Regional Administrator may allow shucking at sea of surf clams or ocean quahogs, with or without an observer, if he/she determines a conversion factor for shucked meats to calculate accurately the amount of surf clams or ocean quahogs harvested in the shell.

(2) The Regional Administrator shall publish notification in the Federal Register specifying a conversion factor together with the data used in its calculation for a 30-day comment period. After consideration of the public comments and any other relevant data, the Regional Administrator may publish final notification in the Federal Register specifying the conversion factor.

(3) If the Regional Administrator makes the determination specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, he/she may authorize the vessel owner to shuck surf clams or ocean quahogs at sea. Such authorization shall be in writing and be carried aboard the vessel.