



This summary provides an overview of the restrictions and requirements that apply to operators wishing to fish for lobster and groundfish on the same trip. The regulations summarized here may be found at 50 CFR Part 648. Please contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315 if you have further questions.
You may fish for lobster and groundfish on a single trip in the following situations:
No. When fishing for groundfish under a federal Handgear A, Handgear B, or Category D hook permit, you are not allowed to haul traps. You may only have handgear onboard the vessel (rod/reel, tub trawl), and cannot use electric reels, winches, or haulers to fish under a handgear permit.
No. You do not need to remove your trap hauler from your vessel. However, it is illegal to haul lobster gear when fishing for groundfish federal Handgear A, Handgear B, or Category D hook permit.
No, except for the circumstances outlined above.
A vessel must have a federal groundfish permit to harvest the following species from federal waters: halibut, cod, haddock, pollock, redfish, white hake, winter flounder (blackback), witch flounder (gray sole), yellowtail flounder, and American plaice (dabs). All vessels may possess only one halibut per trip. Common pool vessels are subject to additional trip limits for other stocks. While sector vessels are not subject to trip limits for allocated stocks, sector vessels must keep all legal groundfish caught, and sectors must have quota available for all harvest by sector members. Sector fishermen should discuss their fishing plans with their sector manager.