Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Monkfish Gillnet Exemption Area
Exempted fisheries allow vessels to fish for specific species without being subject to certain northeast (NE) multispecies regulations, including days-at-sea, provided the bycatch of regulated species is minimal. This is a seasonal exemption area for vessels in the monkfish fishery using gillnet gear.
Area
This exemption area (as seen above) is defined by the Atlantic coastline, and straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated below:
| N. Latitude | W. Longitude |
|---|---|
| 41°35’ | 70°00’ |
| 42°49.5’ | 70°00’ |
| 42°49.5’ | 69°40’ |
| 43°12’ | 69°00’ |
| Maine Shoreline | 69°00’ |
Season
July 1 through September 14.
Gear
Vessels fishing under this exemption are restricted to using gillnets with a minimum mesh size of 10 inches (diamond) throughout the net.
Requirements
A vessel fishing under this exemption may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than monkfish and/or American lobster (up to 10 percent by weight of all other species on board, or 200 lobsters, whichever is less).
Note: Unless fishing exclusively in state waters, to land and possess monkfish, vessels are required to obtain a federal monkfish permit and adhere to any applicable monkfish regulations.