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Lobster/Jonah Crab Minimum Traps Per Trawl: Northeast Region

The trap/trawl minimums for the Northeast lobster and Jonah crab fishery by area.

Northeast Lobster and Jonah crab minimum traps per trawl map

Minimum Traps per Buoy Line in Lobster Management Areas

LMA1, excluding Maine Zones:Minimum Traps/Trawl
3-6* nm 10 (no change)
6*–12 nm15 
Beyond 12 nm 25 
Outer Cape Cod  
3–12 nm15
12+ nm20
LMA 2 (no changes) 
3-12 nm10
12+15
2 / 3 overlap 

20 (if you have an LMA 2 permit only)

45 (if you have an LMA 3 permit)

LMA 3 
North of 50 fathom line on the south end of Georges Bank45, increase maximum trawl length to 1.75 nm 
South of 50 fathom line on the south end of Georges Bank35, increase maximum trawl length to 1.75 nm 
Georges Basin Restricted Area50, increase maximum trawl length to 1.75 nm

 

Minimum Number of Traps per Buoy Line in Maine Zones

Maine ZonesRequirements With Two Buoy LinesRequirements With One Buoy Line 

ME exempt area–3 nm, 

 Zones A, B, F, G

N/A3 traps/trawl

ME exempt area–3 nm, 

 Zones C, D, E

4 traps/trawl2 traps/trawl (status quo)

ME 3–6 nm*, 

 Zone A West

8 traps/trawl 4 traps/trawl 

ME 3–6 nm*,

 Zone B

N/A5 traps/trawl 

ME 3–6 nm*, 

 Zones C, D, E, F, G

10 traps/trawl 5 traps/trawl 

ME 3 –12 nm,

 Zone A East

20 traps/trawl 10 traps/trawl 

ME 6*–12 nm, 

Zone A West

15 traps/trawl 8 traps/trawl 

ME 6*–12 nm,

 Zone B, D, E, F

10 traps/trawl (status quo)5 traps/trawl

ME 6*–12 nm,

 Zone C, G

20 traps/trawl 10 traps/trawl 

 

*Note that the 6 nm line refers to an approximation, described in 50 CFR 229.32 (a)(2)(ii).

 

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on 02/06/2025

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