Massachusetts Restricted Area with State Waters Expansion and Wedge Area*
*NOTE: On March 14, 2024, Judge Young of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2023, bars the Final Wedge Rule until December 31, 2028. The Court determined that the rule is "void and unenforceable." NMFS is reviewing the decision.
This dataset depicts the boundaries of the Massachusetts Restricted Area in effect annually from February 1 to April 30 in ESRI shapefile format for the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO).
In effect prior to March 8, 2024: The Massachusetts Restricted Area and Massachusetts Restricted Area North is in effect annually from February 1 to April 30 for Northeast lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot gear.