Gear Marking and Entanglement Risk Reduction

This proposed rule includes a single-line allowance and new gear marking requirements for vessels using bottom longline and pot gears in the directed open access or limited entry sectors of the non-tribal, commercial non-trawl groundfish fishery.

Allowing fishermen to use only one vertical line instead of two is a change meant to lower the risk of marine animals getting tangled in the fishing gear and reduce costs to industry of new and existing gear marking requirements. The Council suggested this change, and new gear marking requirements, in June 2024.

Specifically, the proposed rule would require gear-specific color coding on portions of vertical ropes used, and color-coded and marked tags on buoys, in gear set-ups for bottom longline and pot gears. The gear marking portion of this rulemaking is subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), so NOAA Fisheries has also released a statement regarding the estimated time and monetary costs (e.g. burden) associated with the proposed regulations.

Therefore, NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on the burden estimates associated with the PRA, as well as the proposed regulations.

This rulemaking also proposes minor administrative changes to escape panel rules and the definition of longline gear in groundfish regulations.

Comments must be received no later than March 9, 2026.