Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

Atlantic Large Whale
Take Reduction Plan
Supplements
A. Exempted Areas
B. Weak Links &
Anchoring Techniques
C. Gear Marking

OMB Control No. 0648-0364

Contact Us For More Information
NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Offce
Protected Resources Division
Large Whale Take Reduction Coordinator
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
978-281-9328

NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Gear Team
Northeast Fisheries Liaison
John Higgins
(207) 677-2316
John.Higgins@noaa.gov

Or Visit the Atlantic Large Whale Take
Reduction Website
www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/whaletrp/

CONTENTS
Supplement A. Exempted Areas

1

Supplement B. Weak Links and Anchoring Techniques
Supplement C. Gear Marking Techniques

13

20

NOAA

FISHERIES

Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
Exempted Waters
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (Plan) regulations apply to all U.S. waters in
the Atlantic, with the exceptions of the following areas described in the following sections.

Gear Modifcation Exemptions >280 fathoms:
•

Fisheries are exempt from the requirement to have sinking groundlines if their groundline is at a depth
equal to or greater than 280 fathoms (1,680 f; 512.1m).

•

Anchored gillnet fsheries are exempt from the requirement to install weak links in net panel(s) and to
anchor each end of the net string if the foat line is at a depth equal to or greater than 280 fathoms (1,680 f;
512.1m).

Minimum Trap Per Trawl Exemptions
•

Rhode Island state waters, New Hampshire state waters, and and portions of Massachusetts state waters are exempt from the minimum trap per trawl requirements but must adhere to other Plan requirements. Single traps, in some areas, must comply with additional gear marking regulations.

•

Waters within 1/4 mile of Monhegan Island, Maine; Matinicus Island group, Maine; and Ragged
Island, Maine and Isle of Shoals group, Maine are exempt from the new minimum trap per trawl requirements but must adhere to other Plan requirements. Single traps, in some areas, must comply with
additional gear marking regulations.
For more detailed information, see information starting on page 8.
Tese areas are required to meet other Plan regulations.

1

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328
OMB Control No. 0648-0364

Full Plan Exemptions
Plan Regulations Do Not Apply To Te Following Exempted Waters
Exempted Area

Boundaries
Waters landward of the 72 COLREGS lines from Maine through Florida
are exempt from Plan requirements with certain exceptions. Te following
COLREGS areas are NOT EXEMPT from ALWTRP regulations:

COLREGS waters, Maine
through Florida, with the
following exceptions:

•

Casco Bay (Maine),

•

Portsmouth Harbor (New Hampshire),

•

Gardiners Bay and Long Island Sound (New York), and

•

Massachusetts state waters

Exempted waters of
Massachusetts include:

•

Waters landward of the frst bridge over any embayment, harbor, or inlet

Exempted waters of New
Hampshire include those
landward of the following
line:

•

A line from 42°53.691´ N. lat., 70°48.516´ W. long. to 42°53.516´ N. lat.,
70°48.748´ W. long. (Hampton Harbor).

•

A line from 42°59.986´ N. lat., 70°44.654´ W. long. to 42°59.956´ N.,
70°44.737´ W. long. (Rye Harbor).

•

A line from 41°22.441´ N. lat., 71°30.781´ W. long. to 41°22.447´ N lat.,
71°30.893´ W. long. (Pt. Judith Pond Inlet).

•

A line from 41°21.310´ N. lat., 71°38.300´ W. long. to 41°21.300´ N. lat.,
71°38.330´ W. long. (Ninigret Pond Inlet).

•

A line from 41°19.875´ N. lat., 71°43.061´ W. long. to 41°19.879´ N. lat.,
71°43.115´ W. long. (Quonochontaug Pond Inlet).

•

A line from 41°19.660´ N. lat., 71°45.750´ W. long. to 41°19.660´ N. lat.,
71°45.780´ W. long. (Weekapaug Pond Inlet).

•

A line that follows the territorial sea baseline through Block Island Sound
(Watch Hill Point, RI, to Montauk Point, NY).

•

A line from 32°34.717´ N. lat., 80°08.565´ W. long. to 32°34.686´ N. lat.,
80°08.642´ W. long. (Captain Sams Inlet).

Exempted waters of
Rhode Island include
those landward of the
following line:

Exempted waters of
New York include those
landward of the following
line:
Exempted waters of
South Carolina include
those landward of the
following line:

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Full Plan Exemptions
Regulations Do Not Apply To Te Following Exempted Waters
Exempted Area

Boundaries
Exempted areas are those landward of a line which connects the points below:

Exempted waters
of Maine include:

1. Odiornes Pt. Portsmouth NH: 43°
02.55’ N 70°43.33’ W
2. R 2KR Whistle – Kittery Point:
43°02.93’ N 70°41.47’ W
3. N 2MR – Murray Rock: 43°04.06’
N, 70°36.70’ W
4. RW CP Whistle – Cape Porpoise:
43°20.23’ N 70°23.64’ W
5. RW WI Whistle – Wood:
43°27.63’ N 70°17.48’ W
6. G 1 – East Hue and Cry: 43°31.94’
N 70°08.68’ W
7. RG N BS – Bulwark Shoal:
43°36.04’ N 70°03.98’ W
8. R 20ML Bell - Mile Ledge:
43°41.44’ N 69°45.27’ W
9. R 2BR Bell – Bantam Rock:
43°43.64’ N 69°37.58’ W
10. GR C PL – Pemaquid Ledge:
43°48.96’ N 69°31.15’ W
11. R 2 OM Whistle – Old Man
Ledge: 43°50.28’ N 69°18.86’
44°25.74’ N 67° 38.39’ W
12. G 5TB Bell – Two Bush Channel:
43°56.72’ N 69°04.89’ W
13. R 2A Bell – Old Horse Ledge:
43°59.83’ N 68°50.06’ W

14. R 2 Bell – Roaring Bull Ledge, Isle Au
Haut: 43°59.36’ N 68°37.95’ W
15. Southern point Great Duck I:
44°08.36’ N 68°14.75’ W
16. R 8BI Whistle – Baker I: 44°13.55’ N
68°10.71’ W
17. R 2S Bell – Schoodic I:
44°19.08’ N 68° 02.05’ W
18. R N 2 – Petit Manan I: 44°21.66’ N
67°51.78’ W
19. R 2SR Bell – Seahorse Rock, west of
Great Wass I Freeman Rock – east of
Great Wass I: 44°27.77’ N 67°32.86’
W
20. Obstruction – southeast of Cutler:
44°37.70’ N 67°09.75’ W
21. R 28M Whistle – Baileys Mistake:
44°45.51’ N 67°02.87’ W
22. R N 2 – Morton Ledge: 44°47.36’ N
66°59.25’ W
23. G 1 Whistle – West Quoddy Head:
44°48.64’ N 66°56.43’ W
24. R N 2 – Quoddy Narrows: 44°49.67’
N 66°57.77’ W

Exempted waters
of Maryland/
Virginia:
Chesapeake Bay

•

Waters landward of a line drawn from Cape Charles Light to Cape Henry Light.

Exempted waters
of Delaware:
Delaware Bay

•

Waters landward of a line drawn from Cape May Light to Cape Henlopen.

3
National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Full Plan Exemptions
Full Plan Exemptions
Exemption Lines for Coastal Waters of RI, CT, and NY
74°W
,,

___

3_Q
_______

6~Q
~~:

""U

" •'·

'"·"·'"·

P'Y'W'·

11°w

·"'

~:u~~:~ii~di~'';.::::~,':~'
. lrw•o~~,,,~
,,

cnar,ge.

---~1_5

12°w

73°W
·'

If arnua1

chAng•

I~ In aamedlrectlcn

~

aav..., lallon

on<:c~

"'

NOT~

J

_

°''"'""'"'1~""' ,,.ri;r.rw•;,J
·n,:ic,\

St e l""'C""B"rkM~,,,

43°N

C...-11,india<:ha,grg

10°w

G

·- ··0,··,

t,;1 .. d

_.,,.nn

. s.,,nc,"ary

<>~"
nr nq

43°N

,,,d,,,,.,ping

'~:£~ft~~:~::::.:
':::~ta
..
l n.lri.11

Nautical Miles

*

or wRl:,pnn

42°N

41°N

41°N

40°N

-

74°W

73°W

12°w

11°w

ALWTRP Exemption Lines

10°w

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Full Plan Exemptions
Exemption Lines for Coastal Waters of Maine
70°W

69°W

68°W

67°W

Maine

45"N

44"N

43"N

Legend
-ALWTRPM
•..•..

70"W

68°W

a1ne
· Exemption L.
3 nm State Waters Bo un d ary me
67°W

5

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Full Plan Exemptions
Exemption Lines for Delaware Bay
10

20

40

TRENT

ON

Nautical Miles

,----

,,

New
Jersey
a

\ "'
<
I

I

\

\

y

"Z-,7

,S)

D/\NGFR70NF

) 15

334. 130 (se e note

15

SSh

12 10 J
16 ·1-1

11
11

Wk

14

SSh

>

?O

I

12

11

/
/ 13

Legend
-

ALWTRP Exemption Line

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Full Plan Exemptions
Exemption Lines for Chesapeake Bay
76 °W

Legend

Maryland

37°N

16

18
13

s

12
13

17
9

12
12

@)
·12

12
11
16

s

16

18

21
21
Unex laded Ordnance
76°W

7

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Min. Trap/Trawl Exemptions
Please note: while these areas may be exempt from certain minimun trap per trawl requirements, they are still subject to other Plan
requirements. See your regional Plan guide for specifc area requirements.

MAINE
MIN. TRAP/TRAWL
EXEMPTED AREAS
Waters within 1/4 mile the following
islands in Maine:
•

Monhegan Island

•

Matinicus Island
•

•

•

New Hampshire

Ragged Island

Matinicus Island group--Metinic, Small
Green, Large Green, Seal, and Wooden
Ball; and
Isle of Shoals group--Duck, Appledore,
Cedar, and Smuttynose

N

0

0 .5

1

Na uti cal M ites

Le g e nd
~ Isles o f Sh oals Buffe r

Minimum trap per trawl exempted areas
are also required to have area specifc gear
marking colors for single traps:
Isle of Shoals single traps-- RED &
ORANGE

N

A
0

1 .5

3

Nauti ca l Mil es

Le g e nd
~ M at inic us Is lan d G roup Buff e r

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Min. Trap/Trawl Exemptions
NEW HAMPSHIRE
ALL New Hampshire state waters are exempt fromthe Plan’s Minimum Trap Per Trawl
Requirements.
70'30W

MIN. TRAP/TRAWL
EXEMPTED AREAS
•

All New Hampshire state waters

,.,..,,

.....

i

•j

'

'

, -. --

43' N ,

-

.

NewHampshire
••
Exempted
Waters

____
"':t•.,,_

!~
. c~~n r

....~ -, ., •

43'N

.

..

.

.

,- . ,

~

.

State/Federal
Waters
3nmBoundary

., .

70'30W

9

Please note: while these areas may be exempt from certain minimun trap per trawl requirements, they are still subject to other
Plan requirements. See your regional Plan guide for specifc area requirements.

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Min. Trap/Trawl Exemptions
MASSACHUSETTS
Te following Massachusetts state waters are exempt from ONLY the Plan’s Minimum Trap
Per Trawl Requirements.

MIN. TRAP/TRAWL
EXEMPTED AREAS
From the New Hampshire border
to 70°W longitude south of Cape
Cod, waters in EEZ Nearshore
Management Area 1 and the Outer
Cape Lobster Management Area (as
defned in the American Lobster
Fishery regulations under § 697.18),
from the shoreline to 3 nautical miles
from shore, and including waters of
Cape Cod Bay southeast of a straight
line connecting 41°55.8’N lat.,
70°8.4’W long. and 41°47.2’N lat.,
70°19.5’W long.
From 70°W longitude south of Cape
Cod to the Rhode Island border, all
Massachusetts state waters in EEZ
Nearshore Management Area 2 and
the Outer Cape Lobster Management
Area (as defned in the American
Lobster Fishery regulations under
§697.18), including federal waters
of Nantucket Sound west of 70°W
longitude.
Te following minimum trap per trawl
exempted areas are also required to
have area specifc gear marking colors
for single traps:
Single traps in exempt MA state waters
in LMA 1-- RED & WHITE
Single traps in exempt MA state waters
in LMA 2-- RED & BLACK

71'15'0W

71"0'0"W

70'45'0W

70'31JO'W

70'15'0W

70'0'0W

69'45'0W

~ Mass.Proposal- NorthernState
Waters
1::::::::
1Mass.Proposal-Southern
StateWaters

42°45'01-l

42°45'01-l

42°30'01-l

42°30'0"N

42'15'0"N

42'15'0"N

41'45'0"N '

41"45'0"N

41°30'0"N

41°30'0"N

41"15'0"N

41"15'0"N

71'15'0W

71"0'0W

70'45'0'W

70'3i!O'W

70'15'0W

70'rJ0W

69'45'0W

Single traps in exempt MA state waters
in Outer Cape-- RED & YELLOW
Please note: while these areas may be exempt from certain minimun trap per trawl requirements, they are still subject to other Plan
requirements. See your regional Plan guide for specifc area requirements.
11
National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Min. Trap/Trawl Exemptions
RHODE ISLAND
ALL Rhode Island state waters are exempt from ONLY the Plan’s Minimum Trap Per Trawl
Requirements.
71'45'0-.V

MIN. TRAP/TRAWL
EXEMPTED AREAS
•

71'15~

71'30~-.V

0

LO RAN LINEAR INTERPOLATO R

All Rhode Island State waters
PRO V I DENC E

Minimum trap per trawl exempted
areas also required to have area specifc
gear marking colors for single traps:

Massachusetts

1"45'0"N

Single traps in exempt RI state waters
-- RED & BLUE

41"45'0"N

Rhode
Island

Connecticut

N

RHODE
IS LAND
1' 30~'N

41'30'0'N

1' 15'0'N

41' 15~

71"45'0'W

71"30'0'W

71"151l'W

Please note: while these areas may be exempt from certain minimun trap per trawl requirements, they are still subject to other Plan
requirements. See your regional Plan guide for specifc area requirements.

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

SUPPLEMENT B

| Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Weak Links & Anchoring Techniques

Weak Links & Anchoring Techniques
Why Are Weak Links Required?
Weak links are intended to allow the release of the buoy, fotation or weighted device from the
line in a way that when they release, the remaining line (that was connected to these devices)
will not have a knot on its end. An eye lef on the line made by splicing, tucking or hog rings is
acceptable. Splices are not considered to be knots.
All weak links must be placed as close as operationally feasible to each individual buoy,
fotation or weighted device. Each management area has specifc weak link breaking
strength requirements. See regional trap/pot and gillnet guides for more information.

Weak Links For Buoy, Flotations or Weighted Devices
Figure 1

1) HOG RINGS
Hog rings can be used to form an eye in the end of a line
that will function as a weak link (Figure 1). Up to 7 may be
used to create a 600 pound weak link and up to 5 for a 500
pound weak link. Hog rings can be distributed (from 6” to
12”) without signifcantly afecting the strength.

Figure 2

Figure 3

A variation of this technique (Figure 2) is to connect a weak
link from a short length of line. Te line is formed into a
loop with its ends overlapped and hog ringed to each other.
Five hog rings form a suitable 600 pound link while 4 are
sufcient for a 500 pound weak link. For this weak link
to function properly, the loop must move freely where it
attaches to both the buoy, fotation, or weighted device and
the line.
A line may also be passed through a plastic swivel two times
(Figure 3), not forming a knot, and hog ringed back on itself
with up to 3 hog rings.

13

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328
OMB Control No. 0648-0364

SUPPLEMENT B

| Atlantic Large Whale Take
Take Reduction Plan W
Weak
eak Links & Anchoring Techniques
Techniques

USING HOG RINGS TO ACHIEVE A SUITABLE WEAK LINK
Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

When threading the buoy line only once through
the buoy becket/spindle, up to 7 hog rings may be
used to create a weak link no greater than 600 lbs,
and up to 5 hog rings used to create a weak link not
exceeding 500 lbs.

A buoy line can be laid alongside a short lead and
hog-ringed to form a weak link. 11 hog rings
produced a breaking strength of 345 lbs as tested
by the NOAA Fisheries Gear Team.

To produce a weak link from a short length of
line, the line is formed into a loop with its ends
overlapped and hog-ringed to each other. Five
hog rings form a suitable 600 lb weak link, while
four are sufcient for a 500 lb weak link. Te buoy
line can be passed through the loop only once,
then spliced, hog- ringed or tucked back on itself
to make a knotless connection.

A buoy becket-type weak link can be made using
no more than 7 hog rings to create a weak link
less than or equal to 600 lbs, and no more than 5
hog rings to create a weak link less than or equal
to 500 lb weak link. When using this hog ring
buoy becket-type weak link, the buoy line must
pass through the hog-ringed eye only once and be
tucked, spliced or hog ringed back to itself, making
a knotless eye.

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

SUPPLEMENT B

| Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Weak Links & Anchoring Techniques

USING HOG RINGS TO ACHIEVE A SUITABLE WEAK LINK (CONTINUED)
Figure 8

When connecting to the eye of a buoy spindle, a
knot may be used on one side of the eye as shown,
allowing for easy buoy removal. When threading
the buoy line only once through the buoy becket/
spindle or through the loop, up to 7 hog rings may
be used to create a weak link no greater than 600
lbs and up to 5 hog rings used to create a weak link
not exceeding 500 lbs.

Figure 9

A buoy line can also be passed through the buoy
spindle/becket/swivel two times, not forming
a knot, and hog-ringed back on itself up to 3
times forming a weak link, meeting the 600 lb
requirement.

2) OFF THE SHELF WEAK LINKS
Figure 10

Of the shelf weak links are available in a variety of
styles and confgurations to meet diferent strength
requirements. Te strong end of the weak link goes
toward the buoy, fotation, or weighted device.

15

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

SUPPLEMENT B

| Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Weak Links & Anchoring Techniques

ATTACHING BUOY LINES TO OFF-THE-SHELF WEAK LINKS

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Attaching the buoy line to an of-the-shelf weak link using a spliced, tucked or hog- ringed eye will
produce a knotless bitter end to the line when the weak link parts.

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

SUPPLEMENT B

| Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Weak Links & Anchoring Techniques

ATTACHING BUOY LINES TO OFF-THE-SHELF WEAK LINKS (CONTINUED)

Figure 15

Figure 16

Tying to the weak link with a clove hitch or cow hitch and then splicing or tucking the bitter end of the
buoy line under a strand will also produce a knotless system when the weak link parts.

Tying to the weak link with a clove hitch and then
tucking the bitter end of the buoy line under a
strand will also produce a knotless system when
the weak link parts. A loop can be fastened to the
strong side of the weak link allowing a fsherman to
easily remove the buoy.

Figure 17

Another of-the-shelf weak link is the slip link,
which works on the same principle as a jam cleat.

Figure 18

17

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

SUPPLEMENT B

| Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Weak Links & Anchoring Techniques

3) ROPE OF APPROPRIATE BREAKING STRENGTH
Another weak link technique utilizes Rope Of Appropriate Breaking Strength. A jumper is selected
based on breaking strength data from the manufacturer. A length of rope or jumper of appropriate
breaking strength may be tied into the buoy, fotation, or weighted device, thus creating a weak link, as
long as the failure results in a knotless bitter end on the line. Testing by the NOAA Fisheries Gear Team
can make this determination.
Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

4) MODIFIED SWIVELS

Figure 22

Some swivels can be modifed to conform to the weak
link requirement by compromising their strength
where the line attaches. However, they must be tested
by the NOAA Fisheries Gear Team to ensure that
they will release in the proper fashion and within the
required limits. Lukian swivels with a 9/32” diameter
hole and SeaSide swivels with a 3/16” diameter hole
satisfy the 600 pound requirement.

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

SUPPLEMENT B

| Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan Weak Links & Anchoring Techniques

GILLNET FLOATLINE WEAK LINKS
Several methods of incorporating weak links into
a gillnet foatline are shown below. Te frst two
methods create a weak link by utilizing Rope of
Appropriate Breaking Strength.
Te frst picture shows a weak link jumper spliced
into the foatline. Te overhand knot in the jumper
reduces its strength to about 60% of its original
strength. For example, putting an overhand knot in
a piece of 5/16” polypropylene that has an original
tensile strength of 1710 pounds will make the rope
fail with a load of about 1025 pounds.
Te second picture shows a weak link tied into the
foat rope with the fsherman’s knots. Tese knots
also reduce the strength of the rope to about 60% of
its original strength.

Figure 23

Figure 24

Another alternative shows an of the shelf weak link
rigged into the foatline.
Figure 25
Figure 26

GILLNET ANCHORING TECHNIQUES
At the right is an example of a burying anchor (designed to hold to the
ocean bottom through the use of a fuke, spade, plow or pick) that meets
the requirement of the holding power of a 22-pound Danforth–style anchor. Note, dead weights do not meet the requirements for burying anchors.

For More Information Contact the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic
Gear Team
Fisheries Liaison: John Higgins. (207) 677-2316. John.Higgins@noaa.gov
or visit our website:
www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/whaletrp
19

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan
Gear Marking
Why Is Gear Marking Required?
Te Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan requires that surface buoys and buoy lines be marked with
information that will allow us to better understand where and how whales become entangled in vertical lines
associated with trap/pot and gillnet fsheries.

Surface Buoy Marking
SURFACE BUOYS ARE TO BE MARKED WITH:
Markings to help identify the associated vessel or fshery by including
one of the following:
• the owner’s boat registration number and/or US vessel
documentation number;
• Federeal commercial fshing permit number; or
• Whatever positive identifcation is required by the vessel’s homeport state.
When marking is not already required by state or federal regulations, the
letters and numbers must meet the following requirements:
• At least 1-inch (2.5cm) in height;
• Block letters or Arabic numbers;
and
• In a color that contrasts with
the color of the buoy.

Buoy Line Marking:

BUOY LINES ARE TO BE MARKED WITH:
THREE 12 inch (30.48 cm) colored marks:
• one at the top of the buoy line,
• one midway along the buoy line, and
• one at the bottom of the buoy line.
If the mark consists of two colors, EACH COLOR mark may be 6-inches
for a TOTAL MARK of 12-inches.
Each color code must be permanently afxed on or along the line and each
color code must be clearly visible when the gear is hauled or removed from
the water.
National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328
OMB Control No. 0648-0364

TRAP/POT GEAR MARKING REQUIREMENTS
Gear Marking Color
RED

RED & BLUE
RED & WHITE
RED & BLACK

Applicable Trap/Pot Management Area
•
•
•
•
•

Massachusetts Restricted Area
Northern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters
Northern Inshore State Trap/Pot Waters
Stellwagen Bank Jefreys Ledge Restricted Area
Great South Channel Restricted Area overlapping Lobster
Management Area (LMA) 2 and/or the Outer Cape (OC) LMA

• Exempt RI state waters
• Exempt MA state waters in LMA 1
• Exempt MA state waters in LMA 2

RED & YELLOW

• Exempt MA state waters Outer Cape

RED & ORANGE

• Isle of Shoals, Maine

RED & PURPLE
RED & BLACK
ORANGE
BLACK

• Jordan Basin (Trap/Pot) overlapping LMA 1
• Jordan Basin (Trap/Pot) overlapping Ofshore Trap/Pot Waters
• Southern Nearshore Trap/Pot Waters.
• Ofshore Trap/Pot Waters; Great South Channel Restricted Area
overlapping with the LMA 2/3 Overlap and/or LMA 3

BLUE & ORANGE

• Southeast Restricted Area North

(state waters)

GREEN & ORANGE

• Southeast Restricted Area North

(Federal waters)

21

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

GILLNET GEAR MARKING REQUIREMENTS
Gear Marking Color

RED & GREEN

Applicable Gillnet Management Area
• Jefrey Ledge (Trap/Pot)

GREEN & BLACK

• Jefrey Ledge (Gillnet)

GREEN & YELLOW

• Jordan Basin (Gillnet)

BLUE & ORANGE

• Southeast Restricted Area North

(state waters)

GREEN & ORANGE

• Southeast Restricted Area North

(Federal waters)

GREEN

BLUE
YELLOW

GREEN & BLUE

•
•
•
•
•

Cape Cod Bay Restricted Area
Great South Channel Restricted Gillnet Area
Great South Channel Sliver Restricted Gillnet Area
Stellwagen Bank/Jefreys Ledge Restricted Area
Other Northeast Gillnet Waters (Northeast & Mid-Atlantic)

• Mid/South Atlantic Gillnet Waters
Excluding Shark Gillnet:
• Southeast US Restricted Area South*
• Other Southeast Gillnet Waters*
Shark Gillnet (with webbing of 5” or greater)
• Southeast US Monitoring Area*
• Southeast US Restricted Area South*
• Other Southeast Gillnet Waters*

*Southeast gillnet management areas also require that each gillnet panel be marked along both the foatline and
the leadline at least once every 100 yards, unless otherwise required.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other
suggestions for reducing this burden to NMFS Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
20910.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subjected to
a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction
Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

National Marine Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Protected Resources Division 978-281-9328

August 2018
www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

National Marine Fisheries Service
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930