Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Exempted Areas
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 small-mesh exemption area around Cape Cod designed for the whiting fishery, but some other species can be possessed or landed incidentally as well.
Area
The available area for this exempted fishery can shift depending on the time of year (see map). The area(s) are defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated below:
| (September 1 – November 20) | |
|---|---|
| N. Latitude | W. Longitude |
| 42°14.05’ | 70°08.8’ |
| 42°09.2’ | 69°47.8’ |
| 41°54.85’ | 69°35.2’ |
| 41°41.5’ | 69°35.85’ |
| 41°39’ | 69°44.3’ |
| 41°45.6’ | 69°51.8’ |
| 41°52.3’ | 69°52.55’ |
| 41°55.5’ | 69°53.45’ |
| 42°08.35’ | 70°04.05’ |
| 42°04.75’ | 70°16.95’ |
| 42°00’ | 70°13.2’ |
| 42°00’ | 70°24.1’ |
| 42°07.85’ | 70°30.1’ |
| 42°14.05’ | 70°08.8’ |
| (September 1 – December 31) | |
|---|---|
| N. Latitude | W. Longitude |
| 42°14.05’ | 70°08.8’ |
| 42°09.2’ | 69°47.8’ |
| 41°54.85’ | 69°35.2’ |
| 41°41.5’ | 69°35.85’ |
| 41°39’ | 69°44.3’ |
| 41°45.6’ | 69°51.8’ |
| 41°52.3’ | 69°52.55’ |
| 41°55.5’ | 69°53.45’ |
| 42°08.35’ | 70°04.05’ |
| 42°14.05’ | 70°08.8’ |
Seasons
September 1 – November 20; September 1 – December 31.
Gear
All nets must have a minimum mesh size of 2.5-inch square or diamond mesh, and vessels must use a raised footrope trawl. A description of the raised footrope trawl can be found in the 'Commercial Fishing' section of either red hake or silver hake species pages. Vessels participating in the Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery may not use liners, codend covers, and/or outside net strengtheners.
Possession Limits
- Red Hake: 3,000 lb
- Whiting (Silver hake and offshore hake combined) possession limit is dependent on the mesh size being fished:
- 2.5 ≤ Mesh < 3.0 inches: 7,500 lb
- Mesh ≥ 3.0 inches: 30,000 lb
Note: Possession limits may be reduced to 2,000 lb for whiting and 400 lb for red hake if the in-season possession limit triggers are reached.
Additional Incidental Species Allowed
While fishing in this exemption area, vessels may not fish for, possess on board, or land any species of fish other than small-mesh multispecies (hakes) and the following species as incidental catch:
- Butterfish;
- Spiny dogfish;
- Atlantic herring;
- Atlantic mackerel;
- Scup; and
- Squid.
Transiting
When transiting the Gulf of Maine or Georges Bank Regulated Mesh Areas (RMA), any nets with a mesh size smaller than the RMA minimum mesh size must be stowed and unavailable for immediate use.
Additional Requirements
While fishing in this exemption area, participating vessels must carry a Letter of Authorization (LOA) issued by the Regional Administrator, valid for a minimum of seven days. Participating vessels may withdraw from the program no earlier than seven days from the date of enrollment. LOAs, and withdrawals, may be obtained from the Greater Atlantic Region Permit Office at (978) 281-9370, or online on our permits page.
Note: A vessel participating in the Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery may participate in other small-mesh exemption areas provided it adheres to the more restrictive gear, possession, landing, and other requirements for the entire participation period specified in the LOA. Also, a vessel participating in this exempted fishery is exempted from Rolling Closure Area V during October through November.