Lobster/Jonah Crab Minimum Traps Per Trawl: Northeast Region
The trap/trawl minimums for the Northeast lobster and Jonah crab fishery by area.
Minimum Traps per Buoy Line in Lobster Management Areas
|
LMA1, excluding Maine Zones: |
Minimum Traps/Trawl |
|
3-6* nm |
10 (no change) |
|
6*–12 nm |
15 |
|
Beyond 12 nm |
25 |
|
Outer Cape Cod |
|
|
3–12 nm |
15 |
|
12+ nm |
20 |
|
LMA 2 (no changes) |
|
|
3-12 nm |
10 |
|
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 Bank |
45, increase maximum trawl length to 1.75 nm |
|
South of 50 fathom line on the south end of Georges Bank |
35, increase maximum trawl length to 1.75 nm |
|
Georges Basin Restricted Area |
50, increase maximum trawl length to 1.75 nm |
Minimum Number of Traps per Buoy Line in Maine Zones
|
Maine Zones |
Requirements With Two Buoy Lines |
Requirements With One Buoy Line |
|
ME exempt area–3 nm, Zones A, B, F, G |
N/A |
3 traps/trawl |
|
ME exempt area–3 nm, Zones C, D, E |
4 traps/trawl |
2 traps/trawl (status quo) |
|
ME exempt area–3 nm, Zones C, D, E |
2 traps/trawl (status quo) |
N/A |
|
ME 3–6 nm*, Zone A West |
8 traps/trawl |
4 traps/trawl |
|
ME 3–6 nm*, Zone B |
N/A |
5 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).