U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico Trotline Fishery - MMPA List of Fisheries
Learn about the 2024 classification of the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico Trotline Fishery.
U.S. fisheries are classified under the Marine Mammal Protection Act according to the level of interactions that result in incidental mortality or serious injury of marine mammals.
Current Classification on the List of Fisheries
Category | III |
Estimated Number of Participants | Unknown |
Target Species | Blue crab, catfish, and other finfish |
Applicable Take Reduction Plans | N/A |
Observer Coverage | N/A |
Marine Mammal Species/Stocks Killed or Injured | Bottlenose dolphin, Galveston Bay, East Bay, Trinity Bay |
^ Number of participants estimates are based on state and federal fisheries permit data. The estimated number of participants is expressed in terms of the number of active participants in the fishery, when possible. If this information is not available, the estimated number of vessels or persons licensed for a particular fishery is provided. If no recent information is available on the number of participants, then the number from the most recent LOF is used. NOAA Fisheries acknowledges that, in some cases, these estimations may be inflating actual effort.
*Observer coverage levels include the latest information reported in the most current final Stock Assessment Report (SAR).
1 Indicates the stock or species is driving the classification of the fishery.
Basis for Current Classification
Category III fishery under the MMPA due to a remote likelihood of mortalities or serious injuries to marine mammals.
Distribution
Throughout the coastal U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Gear Description
A long horizontal main line strung out between two wooden poles, from a riverbank to midstream, or along a bank. Leaders with hooks are attached at intervals and baited. Trotlines may have as many as 100 hooks.
Management
State regulations and Chesapeake Bay Program Blue Crab Fishery Management Plan.
Historical Information
Original Category (Year added to the LOF) | III (2009) |
Original Number of Participants | unknown |
Basis for Original Classification | There were no known takes of marine mammals with this gear at time of listing. |
Past Names | N/A |
Species/stocks historically documented as killed or injured (but not currently on the list) | N/A |
Timeline of Changes
| 2023 |
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