Jonah Crab Fishery: Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Jonah Crab
Summary
Based on Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommendations, we are implementing regulations for the Jonah crab fishery in federal waters. This action is necessary to enact measures that provide stock protections to a previously unmanaged fishery. The action is intended to ensure compatibility between state and federal Jonah crab management measures, consistent with the Commission’s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Jonah Crab and the intent of the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act.
Approved measures include:
|
Sector |
Management Measure |
Requirement |
|
Commercial |
Vessel permitting |
Landing requires a federal lobster permit |
|
Minimum size |
4.75-inch (12.065-cm) carapace width |
|
|
Broodstock protection |
Prohibit retention of egg-bearing females |
|
|
Incidental limit |
Up to 1,000 crabs per trip |
|
|
Incidental latch definition |
Up to 50 percent of weight onboard |
|
|
Dealer permitting and reporting |
Federal dealer permit required and mandatory Federal dealer reporting |
|
|
Recreational |
Broodstock protection |
Prohibit retention of egg-bearing females |
|
Catch limit |
50 crabs per day |