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 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).