[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 50, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 50CFR648.81]
[Page 382-388]
TITLE 50--WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
PART 648--FISHERIES OF THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES--Table of Contents
Subpart F--Management Measures for the NE Multispecies and Monkfish
Fisheries
Sec. 648.81 Closed areas.
(a) Closed Area I. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a fishing
vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as Closed Area I (copies
of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional
Administrator upon request), as defined by straight lines connecting the
following points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraphs
(a)(2) and (d) of this section:
Closed Area I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CI1........................................... 41 deg.30[m 69 deg.23[m
in] in]
CI2........................................... 40 deg.45[m 68 deg.45[m
in] in]
CI3........................................... 40 deg.45[m 68 deg.30[m
in] in]
CI4........................................... 41 deg.30[m 68 deg.30[m
in] in]
CI1........................................... 41 deg.30[m 69 deg.23[m
in] in]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Paragraph (a)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels--
(i) Fishing with or using pot gear designed and used to take
lobsters, or pot gear designed and used to take hagfish, provided that
there is no retention of regulated species and no other gear on board
capable of catching NE multispecies; or
(ii) Fishing with or using pelagic longline gear or pelagic hook and
line gear or harpoon gear, provided that there is no retention of
regulated species, and provided that there is no other gear on board
capable of catching NE multispecies; or
(iii) Fishing with pelagic midwater trawl gear, consistent with
Sec. 648.80(d), provided that the Regional Administrator shall review
information pertaining to the bycatch of regulated multispecies, and, if
the Regional Administrator determines, on the basis of sea sampling data
or other credible information for this fishery, that the bycatch of
regulated multispecies exceeds, or is likely to exceed, 1 percent of
herring and mackerel harvested, by weight, in the fishery or by any
individual fishing operation, the Regional Administrator may place
restrictions and conditions in the letter of authorization for any or
all individual fishing operations or, after consulting with the Council,
suspend or prohibit any or all midwater trawl activities in the closed
areas.
(b) Closed Area II. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a fishing
vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as Closed Area II
(copies of a chart depicting this area are available from the Regional
Administrator upon request), as defined by straight lines connecting the
following points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraph
(b)(2) of this section:
Closed Area II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ClI1.................... 41 deg.00[min] 67 deg.20[min]
ClI2.................... 41 deg.00[min] 66 deg.35.8[min]
G5...................... 41 deg.18.6[min] 66 deg.24.8[min] (the
U.S.-Canada Maritime
Boundary)
ClI3.................... 42 deg.22[min] 67 deg.20[min] (the
U.S.-Canada Maritime
Boundary)
ClI1.................... 41 deg.00[min] 67 deg.20[min]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Paragraph (b)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels fishing with gears as described in
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or that are transiting the area
provided--
(i) The operator has determined that there is a compelling safety
reason; and
(ii) The vessel's fishing gear is stowed in accordance with the
provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).
(c) Nantucket Lightship Closed Area. (1) No fishing vessel or person
on a fishing vessel may enter, fish, or be in the area known as the
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area (copies of a chart depicting this area
are available from the Regional Administrator upon request), as defined
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated,
except as specified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (d) of this section:
Nantucket Lightship Closed Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G10........................................... 40 deg.50[m 69 deg.00[m
in] in]
CN1........................................... 40 deg.20[m 69 deg.00[m
in] in]
CN2........................................... 40 deg.20[m 70 deg.20[m
in] in]
[[Page 383]]
CN3........................................... 40 deg.50[m 70 deg.20[m
in] in]
G10........................................... 40 deg.50[m 69 deg.00[m
in] in]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Paragraph (c)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels--
(i) Fishing with gears as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this
section;
(ii) Fishing with or using dredge gear designed and used to take
surf clams or ocean quahogs, provided that there is no retention of
regulated species and no other gear on board capable of catching NE
multispecies; or
(iii) Classified as charter, party or recreational vessel, provided
that--
(A) If the vessel is a party or charter vessel, it has a letter of
authorization issued by the Regional Administrator on board;
(B) With the exception of tuna, fish harvested or possessed by the
vessel are not sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless of
where the regulated species are caught; and
(C) The vessel has no gear other than rod and reel or handline gear
on board.
(d) Transiting. A vessel may transit Closed Area I, the Nantucket
Lightship Closed Area, the GOM Rolling Closure Areas, the Cashes Ledge
Closure Area, the Western GOM Area Closure, and the GB Seasonal Area
Closure, as defined in paragraphs (a)(1), (c)(1), (g)(1), (h)(1), (i)(1)
and (n)(1), respectively, of this section, provided that its gear is
stowed in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 648.23(b).
(e)-(f) [Reserved]
(g) GOM Rolling Closure Areas. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a
fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be in; and no fishing gear capable
of catching NE multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in this part, may
be in, or on board a vessel in GOM Rolling Closure Areas I through V, as
described in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (v) of this section, for the
times specified in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (v) of this section,
except as specified in paragraphs (d) and (g)(2) of this section. A
chart depicting these areas is available from the Regional Administrator
upon request.
(i) Rolling Closure Area I. From March 1 through March 31, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Rolling Closure Area I, which is the area bounded by straight lines
connecting the following points in the order stated:
Rolling Closure Area I
[March 1-March 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM3............................. 42 deg.00' (\1\)
GM5............................. 42 deg.00' 68 deg.30'
GM6............................. 42 deg.30' 68 deg.30'
GM23............................ 42 deg.30' 70 deg.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
(ii) Rolling Closure Area II. From April 1 through April 30, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Rolling Closure Area II, which is the area bounded by straight lines
connecting the following points in the order stated:
Rolling Closure Area II
[April 1-April 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM1............................. 42 deg.00' (\1\)
GM2............................. 42 deg.00' (\2\)
GM3............................. 42 deg.00' (\3\)
GM5............................. 42 deg.00' 68 deg.30'
GM6............................. 42 deg.30' 68 deg.30'
GM9............................. 42 deg.30' (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
(iii) Rolling Closure Area III. From May 1 through May 31, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Rolling Closure Area III, which is the area bounded by straight lines
connecting the following points in the order stated:
Rolling Closure Area III
[May 1-May 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM1............................. 42 deg.00'........ (\1\)
GM2............................. 42 deg.00'........ (\2\)
GM3............................. 42 deg.00'........ (\3\)
GM4............................. 42 deg.00'........ 70 deg.00'
GM23............................ 42 deg.30'........ 70 deg.00'
GM6............................. 42 deg.30'........ 68 deg.30'
GM14............................ 43 deg.30'........ 68 deg.30'
GM10............................ 43 deg.30'........ (\4\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
\4\ Maine shoreline.
[[Page 384]]
(iv) Rolling Closure Area IV. From June 1 through June 30, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Rolling Closure Area IV, which is the area bounded by straight lines
connecting the following points in the order stated:
Rolling Closure Area IV
[June 1-June 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM9............................. 42 deg.30'........ (\1\)
GM23............................ 42 deg.30'........ 70 deg.00'
GM17............................ 43 deg.30'........ 70 deg.00'
GM19............................ 43 deg.30'........ 67 deg.32' or
(\2\)
GM20............................ 44 deg.00'........ 67 deg.21' or
(\2\)
GM21............................ 44 deg.00'........ 69 deg.00'
GM22............................ (\3\)............. 69 deg.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ U.S.-Canada maritime boundary.
\3\ Maine shoreline.
(v) Rolling Closure Area V. From October 1 through November 30, the
restrictions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this section apply to
Rolling Closure Area V, which is the area bounded by straight lines
connecting the following points in the order stated:
Rolling Closure Area V
[October 1-November 30]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. lat. W. long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GM1............................. 42 deg.00'........ (\1\)
GM2............................. 42 deg.00'........ (\2\)
GM3............................. 42 deg.00'........ (\3\)
GM4............................. 42 deg.00'........ 70 deg.00'
GM8............................. 42 deg.30'........ 70 deg.00'
GM9............................. 42 deg.30'........ (\1\)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Massachusetts shoreline.
\2\ Cape Cod shoreline on Cape Cod Bay.
\3\ Cape Cod shoreline on the Atlantic Ocean.
(2) Paragraph (g)(1) of this section does not apply to persons
aboard fishing vessels or fishing vessels:
(i) That have not been issued a multispecies permit and that are
fishing exclusively in state waters;
(ii) That are fishing with or using exempted gear as defined under
this part, subject to the restrictions on midwater trawl gear in
paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section, and excluding pelagic gillnet
gear capable of catching multispecies, except for vessels fishing with a
single pelagic gillnet, not longer than 300 ft (91.44 m) and not greater
than 6 ft (1.83 m) deep, with a maximum mesh size of 3 inches (7.62 cm),
provided:
(A) The net is attached to the boat and fished in the upper two-
thirds of the water column;
(B) The net is marked with the owner's name and vessel
identification number;
(C) There is no retention of regulated species; and
(D) There is no other gear on board capable of catching NE
multispecies;
(iii) That are fishing under charter/party or recreational
regulations, provided that --
(A) For vessels fishing under charter/party regulations in a Rolling
Closure Area described under Sec. 648.81(g)(1), it has on board a letter
of authorization issued by the Regional Administrator, which is valid
from the date of enrollment through the duration of the closure or 3
months duration, whichever is greater; For vessels fishing under
charter/party regulations in the Cashes Ledge Closure Area or Western
Gulf of Maine Area Closure, as described under Sec. 648.81 (h) and (i),
respectively, it has on board a letter of authorization issued by the
Regional Administrator, which is valid from the date of enrollment until
the end of the fishing year.
(B) With the exception of tuna, fish harvested or possessed by the
vessel are not sold or intended for trade, barter or sale, regardless of
where the regulated species are caught;
(C) The vessel has no gear other than rod and reel or handline on
board; and
(D) The vessel does not use any NE multispecies DAS during the
entire period for which the letter of authorization is valid.
(iv) That are fishing with or using scallop dredge gear when fishing
under a scallop DAS or when lawfully fishing in the Scallop Dredge
Fishery Exemption Area as described in Sec. 648.80(a)(11), provided the
vessel does not retain any regulated NE multispecies during a trip, or
on any part of a trip.
(v) That are fishing in the Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting
Fishery, as specified in Sec. 648.80(a)(15), and in the GOM Rolling
Closure Area V, as specified in paragraph (g)(1)(v) of this section.
(h) Cashes Ledge Closure Area. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a
fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be in, and no fishing gear capable
of catching NE
[[Page 385]]
multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in this part, may be in, or on
board a vessel in the area known as the Cashes Ledge Closure Area, as
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order
stated:
Cashes Ledge Closure Area \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CL1............................. 43 deg.07'........ 69 deg.02'
CL2............................. 42 deg.49.5'...... 68 deg.46'
CL3............................. 42 deg.46.5'...... 68 deg.50.5'
CL4............................. 42 deg.43.5'...... 68 deg.58.5'
CL5............................. 42 deg.42.5'...... 69 deg.17.5'
CL6............................. 42 deg.49.5'...... 69 deg.26'
CL1............................. 43 deg.07'........ 69 deg.02'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A chart depicting this area is available from the Regional
Administrator upon request (see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502 of this
chapter).
(2) Paragraph (h)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels that meet the criteria in paragraphs
(g)(2) (ii) and (iii) of this section.
(i) Western GOM Area Closure. (1) No fishing vessel or person on a
fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be in, and no fishing gear capable
of catching NE multispecies, unless otherwise allowed in this part, may
be in, or on board a vessel in, the area known as the Western GOM Area
Closure, as defined by straight lines connecting the following points in
the order stated, except as specified in paragraphs (d) and (i)(2) of
this section:
Western GOM Area Closure \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WGM1............................ 42 deg.15'........ 70 deg.15'
WGM2............................ 42 deg.15'........ 69 deg.55'
WGM3............................ 43 deg.15'........ 69 deg.55'
WGM4............................ 43 deg.15'........ 70 deg.15'
WGM1............................ 42 deg.15'........ 70 deg.15'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A chart depicting this area is available from the Regional
Administrator upon request (see Table 1 to Sec. 600.502 of this
chapter).
(2) Paragraph (i)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or fishing vessels that meet the criteria in paragraphs
(g)(2) (ii) and (iii) of this section.
(j) Restricted Gear Area I. (1) Restricted Gear Area I is defined by
straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Latitude Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 120
69........................... 40 deg.07.9[min] N. 68 deg.36.0[min]
W.
70........................... 40 deg.07.2[min] N. 68 deg.38.4[min]
W.
71........................... 40 deg.06.9[min] N. 68 deg.46.5[min]
W.
73........................... 40 deg.08.1[min] N. 68 deg.51.0[min]
W.
74........................... 40 deg.05.7[min] N. 68 deg.52.4[min]
W.
75........................... 40 deg.03.6[min] N. 68 deg.57.2[min]
W.
76........................... 40 deg.03.65[min] 69 deg.00.0[min]
N. W.
77........................... 40 deg.04.35[min] 69 deg.00.5[min]
N. W.
78........................... 40 deg.05.2[min] N. 69 deg.00.5[min] W
79........................... 40 deg.05.3[min] N. 69 deg.01.1[min]
W.
80........................... 40 deg.08.9[min] N. 69 deg.01.75[min]
W.
81........................... 40 deg.11.0[min] N. 69 deg.03.8[min]
W.
82........................... 40 deg.11.6[min] N. 69 deg.05.4[min]
W.
83........................... 40 deg.10.25[min] 69 deg.04.4[min]
N. W.
84........................... 40 deg.09.75[min] 69 deg.04.15[min]
N. W.
85........................... 40 deg.08.45[min] 69 deg.03.6[min]
N. W.
86........................... 40 deg.05.65[min] 69 deg.03.55[min]
N. W.
87........................... 40 deg.04.1[min] N. 69 deg.03.9[min]
W.
88........................... 40 deg.02.65[min] 69 deg.05.6[min]
N. W.
89........................... 40 deg.02.00[min] 69 deg.08.35[min]
N. W.
90........................... 40 deg.02.65[min] 69 deg.11.15[min]
N. W.
91........................... 40 deg.00.05[min] 69 deg.14.6[min]
N. W.
92........................... 39 deg.57.8[min] N. 69 deg.20.35[min]
W.
93........................... 39 deg.56.65[min] 69 deg.24.4[min]
N. W.
94........................... 39 deg.56.1[min] N. 69 deg.26.35[min]
W.
95........................... 39 deg.56.55[min] 69 deg.34.1[min]
N. W.
96........................... 39 deg.57.85[min] 69 deg.35.5[min]
N. W.
97........................... 40 deg.00.65[min] 69 deg.36.5[min]
N. W.
98........................... 40 deg.00.9[min] N. 69 deg.37.3[min]
W.
99........................... 39 deg.59.15[min] 69 deg.37.3[min]
N. W.
100.......................... 39 deg.58.8[min] N. 69 deg.38.45[min]
W.
102.......................... 39 deg.56.2[min] N. 69 deg.40.2[min][m
in] W.
103.......................... 39 deg.55.75[min] 69 deg.41.4[min]
N. W.
104.......................... 39 deg.56.7[min] N. 69 deg.53.6[min]
W.
105.......................... 39 deg.57.55[min] 69 deg.54.05[min]
N. W.
106.......................... 39 deg.57.4[min] N. 69 deg.55.9[min]
W.
107.......................... 39 deg.56.9[min] N. 69 deg.57.45[min]
W.
108.......................... 39 deg.58.25[min] 70 deg.03.0[min]
N. W.
110.......................... 39 deg.59.2[min] N. 70 deg.04.9[min]
W.
111.......................... 40 deg.00.7[min] N. 70 deg.08.7[min]
W.
112.......................... 40 deg.03.75[min] 70 deg.10.15[min]
N. W.
115.......................... 40 deg.05.2[min] N. 70 deg.10.9[min]
W.
116.......................... 40 deg.02.45[min] 70 deg.14.1[min]
N. W.
119.......................... 40 deg.02.75[min] 70 deg.16.1[min]
N. W.
to 181 ...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 69
120.......................... 40 deg.06.4[min] N. 68 deg.35.8[min]
W.
121.......................... 40 deg.05.25[min] 68 deg.39.3[min]
N. W.
122.......................... 40 deg.05.4[min] N. 68 deg.44.5[min]
W.
123.......................... 40 deg.06.0[min] N. 68 deg.46.5[min]
W.
124.......................... 40 deg.07.4[min] N. 68 deg.49.6[min]
W.
125.......................... 40 deg.05.55[min] 68 deg.49.8[min]
N. W.
126.......................... 40 deg.03.9[min] N. 68 deg.51.7[min]
W.
127.......................... 40 deg.02.25[min] 68 deg.55.4[min]
N. W.
128.......................... 40 deg.02.6[min] N. 69 deg.00.0[min]
W.
129.......................... 40 deg.02.75[min] 69 deg.00.75[min]
N. W.
130.......................... 40 deg.04.2[min] N. 69 deg.01.75[min]
W.
131.......................... 40 deg.06.15[min] 69 deg.01.95[min]
N. W.
132.......................... 40 deg.07.25[min] 69 deg.02.0[min]
N. W.
133.......................... 40 deg.08.5[min] N. 69 deg.02.25[min]
W.
134.......................... 40 deg.09.2[min] N. 69 deg.02.95[min]
W.
135.......................... 40 deg.09.75[min] 69 deg.03.3[min]
N. W.
136.......................... 40 deg.09.55[min] 69 deg.03.85[min]
N. W.
137.......................... 40 deg.08.4[min] N. 69 deg.03.4[min]
W.
138.......................... 40 deg.07.2[min] N. 69 deg.03.3[min]
W.
139.......................... 40 deg.06.0[min] N. 69 deg.03.1[min]
W.
140.......................... 40 deg.05.4[min] N. 69 deg.03.05[min]
W.
141.......................... 40 deg.04.8[min] N. 69 deg.03.05[min]
W.
[[Page 386]]
142.......................... 40 deg.03.55[min] 69 deg.03.55[min]
N. W.
143.......................... 40 deg.01.9[min] N. 69 deg.03.95[min]
W.
144.......................... 40 deg.01.0[min] N. 69 deg.04.4[min]
W.
146.......................... 39 deg.59.9[min] N. 69 deg.06.25[min]
W.
147.......................... 40 deg.00.6[min] N. 69 deg.10.05[min]
W.
148.......................... 39 deg.59.25[min] 69 deg.11.15[min]
N. W.
149.......................... 39 deg.57.45[min] 69 deg.16.05[min]
N. W.
150.......................... 39 deg.56.1[min] N. 69 deg.20.1[min]
W.
151.......................... 39 deg.54.6[min] N. 69 deg.25.65[min]
W.
152.......................... 39 deg.54.65[min] 69 deg.26.9[min]
N. W.
153.......................... 39 deg.54.8[min] N. 69 deg.30.95[min]
W.
154.......................... 39 deg.54.35[min] 69 deg.33.4[min]
N. W.
155.......................... 39 deg.55.0[min] N. 69 deg.34.9[min]
W.
156.......................... 39 deg.56.55[min] 69 deg.36.0[min]
N. W.
157.......................... 39 deg.57.95[min] 69 deg.36.45[min]
N. W.
158.......................... 39 deg.58.75[min] 69 deg.36.3[min]
N. W.
159.......................... 39 deg.58.8[min] N. 69 deg.36.95[min]
W.
160.......................... 39 deg.57.95[min] 69 deg.38.1[min]
N. W.
161.......................... 39 deg.54.5[min] N. 69 deg.38.25[min]
W.
162.......................... 39 deg.53.6[min] N. 69 deg.46.5[min]
W.
163.......................... 39 deg.54.7[min] N. 69 deg.50.0[min]
W.
164.......................... 39 deg.55.25[min] 69 deg.51.4[min]
N. W.
165.......................... 39 deg.55.2[min] N. 69 deg.53.1[min]
W.
166.......................... 39 deg.54.85[min] 69 deg.53.9[min]
N. W.
167.......................... 39 deg.55.7[min] N. 69 deg.54.9[min]
W.
168.......................... 39 deg.56.15[min] 69 deg.55.35[min]
N. W.
169.......................... 39 deg.56.05[min] 69 deg.56.25[min]
N. W.
170.......................... 39 deg.55.3[min] N. 69 deg.57.1[min]
W.
171.......................... 39 deg.54.8[min] N. 69 deg.58.6[min]
W.
172.......................... 39 deg.56.05[min] 70 deg.00.65[min]
N. W.
173.......................... 39 deg.55.3[min] N. 70 deg.02.95[min]
W.
174.......................... 39 deg.56.9[min] N. 70 deg.11.3[min]
W.
175.......................... 39 deg.58.9[min] N. 70 deg.11.5[min]
W.
176.......................... 39 deg.59.6[min] N. 70 deg.11.1[min]
W.
177.......................... 40 deg.01.35[min] 70 deg.11.2[min]
N. W.
178.......................... 40 deg.02.6[min] N. 70 deg.12.0[min]
W.
179.......................... 40 deg.00.4[min] N. 70 deg.12.3[min]
W.
180.......................... 39 deg.59.75[min] 70 deg.13.05[min]
N. W.
181.......................... 39 deg.59.3[min] N. 70 deg.14.0[min]
W.
to 119
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Duration. (i) Mobile gear. From October 1 through June 15, no
fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with
mobile gear may fish, or be in Restricted Gear Area I unless transiting.
Vessels may transit this area provided that mobile gear is on board the
vessel while inside the area.
(ii) Lobster pot gear. From June 16 through September 30, no fishing
vessel with lobster pot gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster
pot gear may fish, and no lobster pot gear may be deployed or remain, in
Restricted Gear Area I.
(k) Restricted Gear Area II. (1) Restricted Gear Area II is defined
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Latitude Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 1
49........................... 40 deg.02.75[min] 70 deg.16.1[min]
N. W.
50........................... 40 deg.00.7[min] N. 70 deg.18.6[min]
W.
51........................... 39 deg.59.8[min] N. 70 deg.21.75[min]
W.
52........................... 39 deg.59.75[min] 70 deg.25.5[min]
N. W.
53........................... 40 deg.03.85[min] 70 deg.28.75[min]
N. W.
54........................... 40 deg.00.55[min] 70 deg.32.1[min]
N. W.
55........................... 39 deg.59.15[min] 70 deg.34.45[min]
N. W.
56........................... 39 deg.58.9[min] N. 70 deg.38.65[min]
W.
57........................... 40 deg.00.1[min] N. 70 deg.45.1[min]
W.
58........................... 40 deg.00.5[min] N. 70 deg.57.6[min]
W.
59........................... 40 deg.02.0[min] N. 71 deg.01.3[min]
W.
60........................... 39 deg.59.3[min] N. 71 deg.18.4[min]
W.
61........................... 40 deg.00.7[min] N. 71 deg.19.8[min]
W.
62........................... 39 deg.57.5[min] N. 71 deg.20.6[min]
W.
63........................... 39 deg.53.1[min] N. 71 deg.36.1[min]
W.
64........................... 39 deg.52.6[min] N. 71 deg.40.35[min]
W.
65........................... 39 deg.53.1[min] N. 71 deg.42.7[min]
W.
66........................... 39 deg.46.95[min] 71 deg.49.0[min]
N. W.
67........................... 39 deg.41.15[min] 71 deg.57.1[min]
N. W.
68........................... 39 deg.35.45[min] 72 deg.02.0[min]
N. W.
69........................... 39 deg.32.65[min] 72 deg.06.1[min]
N. W.
70........................... 39 deg.29.75[min] 72 deg.09.8[min]
N. W.
to 48 ...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 49
1............................ 39 deg.59.3[min] N. 70 deg.14.0[min]
W.
2............................ 39 deg.58.85[min] 70 deg.15.2[min]
N. W.
3............................ 39 deg.59.3[min] N. 70 deg.18.4[min]
W.
4............................ 39 deg.58.1[min] N. 70 deg.19.4[min]
W.
5............................ 39 deg.57.0[min] N. 70 deg.19.85[min]
W.
6............................ 39 deg.57.55[min] 70 deg.21.25[min]
N. W.
7............................ 39 deg.57.5[min] N. 70 deg.22.8[min]
W.
8............................ 39 deg.57.1[min] N. 70 deg.25.4[min]
W.
9............................ 39 deg.57.65[min] 70 deg.27.05[min]
N. W.
10........................... 39 deg.58.58[min] 70 deg.27.7[min]
N. W.
11........................... 40 deg.00.65[min] 70 deg.28.8[min]
N. W.
12........................... 40 deg.02.2[min] N. 70 deg.29.15[min]
W.
13........................... 40 deg.01.0[min] N. 70 deg.30.2[min]
W.
14........................... 39 deg.58.58[min] 70 deg.31.85[min]
N. W.
15........................... 39 deg.57.05[min] 70 deg.34.35[min]
N. W.
16........................... 39 deg.56.42[min] 70 deg.36.8[min]
N. W.
21........................... 39 deg.58.15[min] 70 deg.48.0[min]
N. W.
24........................... 39 deg.58.3[min] N. 70 deg.51.1[min]
W.
25........................... 39 deg.58.1[min] N. 70 deg.52.25[min]
W.
26........................... 39 deg.58.05[min] 70 deg.53.55[min]
N. W.
27........................... 39 deg.58.4[min] N. 70 deg.59.6[min]
W.
28........................... 39 deg.59.8[min] N. 71 deg.01.05[min]
W.
29........................... 39 deg.58.2[min] N. 71 deg. 05.85[min]
W.
30........................... 39 deg.57.45[min] 71 deg.12.15[min]
N. W.
31........................... 39 deg.57.2[min] N. 71 deg.15.0[min]
W.
32........................... 39 deg.56.3[min] N. 71 deg.18.95[min]
W.
33........................... 39 deg.51.4[min] N. 71 deg.36.1[min]
W.
34........................... 39 deg.51.75[min] 71 deg.41.5[min]
N. W.
35........................... 39 deg.50.05[min] 71 deg.42.5[min]
N. W.
36........................... 39 deg.50.0[min] N. 71 deg.45.0[min]
W.
37........................... 39 deg.48.95[min] 71 deg.46.05[min]
N. W.
38........................... 39 deg.46.6[min] N. 71 deg.46.1[min]
W.
39........................... 39 deg.43.5[min] N. 71 deg.49.4[min]
W.
40........................... 39 deg.41.3[min] N. 71 deg.55.0[min]
W.
41........................... 39 deg.39.0[min] N. 71 deg.55.6[min]
W.
42........................... 39 deg.36.72[min] 71 deg.58.25[min]
N. W.
43........................... 39 deg.35.15[min] 71 deg.58.55[min]
N. W.
44........................... 39 deg.34.5[min] N. 72 deg.00.75[min]
W.
45........................... 39 deg.32.2[min] N. 72 deg.02.25[min]
W.
46........................... 39 deg.32.15[min] 72 deg.04.1[min]
N. W.
47........................... 39 deg.28.5[min] N. 72 deg.06.5[min]
W.
48........................... 39 deg.29.0[min] N. 72 deg.09.25[min]
W.
to 70........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Duration. (i) Mobile Gear. From November 27 through June 15, no
fishing vessel with mobile gear or person
[[Page 387]]
on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be in Restricted Gear
Area II unless transiting. Vessels may transit this area provided that
all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.
(ii) Lobster pot gear. From June 16 through November 26, no fishing
vessel with lobster pot gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster
pot gear may fish, and no lobster pot gear may be deployed or remain, in
Restricted Gear Area II.
(l) Restricted Gear Area III. (1) Restricted Gear Area III is
defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order
stated:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Latitude Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 49
182.......................... 40 deg.05.6[min] N. 70 deg.17.7[min]
W.
183.......................... 40 deg.06.5[min] N. 70 deg.40.05[min]
W.
184.......................... 40 deg.11.05[min] 70 deg.45.8[min]
N. W.
185.......................... 40 deg.12.75[min] 70 deg.55.05[min]
N. W.
186.......................... 40 deg.10.7[min] N. 71 deg.10.25[min]
W.
187.......................... 39 deg.57.9[min] N. 71 deg.28.7[min]
W.
188.......................... 39 deg.55.6[min] N. 71 deg.41.2[min]
W.
189.......................... 39 deg.55.85[min] 71 deg.45.0[min]
N. W.
190.......................... 39 deg.53.75[min] 71 deg.52.25[min]
N. W.
191.......................... 39 deg.47.2[min] N. 72 deg.01.6[min]
W.
192.......................... 39 deg.33.65[min] 72 deg.15.0[min]
N. W.
to 70 ...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
to 182
49........................... 40 deg.02.75[min] 70 deg.16.1[min]
N. W.
50........................... 40 deg.00.7[min] N. 70 deg.18.6[min]
W.
51........................... 39 deg.59.8[min] N. 70 deg.21.75[min]
W.
52........................... 39 deg.59.75[min] 70 deg.25.5[min]
N. W.
53........................... 40 deg.03.85[min] 70 deg.28.75[min]
N. W.
54........................... 40 deg.00.55[min] 70 deg.32.1[min]
N. W.
55........................... 39 deg.59.15[min] 70 deg.34.45[min]
N. W.
56........................... 39 deg.58.9[min] N. 70 deg.38.65[min]
W.
57........................... 40 deg.00.1[min] N. 70 deg.45.1[min]
W.
58........................... 40 deg.00.5[min] N. 70 deg.57.6[min]
W.
59........................... 40 deg.02.0[min] N. 71 deg.01.3[min]
W.
60........................... 39 deg.59.3[min] N. 71 deg.18.4[min]
W.
61........................... 40 deg.00.7[min] N. 71 deg.19.8[min]
W.
62........................... 39 deg.57.5[min] N. 71 deg.20.6[min]
W.
63........................... 39 deg.53.1[min] N. 71 deg.36.1[min]
W.
64........................... 39 deg.52.6[min] N. 71 deg.40.35[min]
W.
65........................... 39 deg.53.1[min] N. 71 deg.42.7[min]
W.
66........................... 39 deg.46.95[min] 71 deg.49.0[min]
N. W.
67........................... 39 deg.41.15[min] 71 deg.57.1[min]
N. W.
68........................... 39 deg.35.45[min] 72 deg.02.0[min]
N. W.
69........................... 39 deg.32.65[min] 72 deg.06.1[min]
N. W.
70........................... 39 deg.29.75[min] 72 deg.09.8[min]
N. W.
to 192
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Duration. (i) Mobile gear. From June 16 through November 26, no
fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with
mobile gear may fish, or be in Restricted Gear Area III unless
transiting. Vessels may transit this area provided that all mobile gear
is on board the vessel while inside the area.
(ii) Lobster pot gear. From January 1 through April 30, no fishing
vessel with lobster pot gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster
pot gear may fish, and no lobster pot gear may be deployed or remain, in
Restricted Gear Area III.
(m) Restricted Gear Area IV. (1) Restricted Gear Area IV is defined
by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point Latitude Longitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------
...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
193.......................... 40 deg.13.60[min] 68 deg.40.60[min]
N. W.
194.......................... 40 deg.11.60[min] 68 deg.53.00[min]
N. W.
195.......................... 40 deg.14.00[min] 69 deg.04.70[min]
N. W.
196.......................... 40 deg.14.30[min] 69 deg.05.80[min]
N. W.
197.......................... 40 deg.05.50[min] 69 deg.09.00[min]
N. W.
198.......................... 39 deg.57.30[min] 69 deg.25.10[min]
N. W.
199.......................... 40 deg.00.40[min] 69 deg.35.20[min]
N. W.
200.......................... 40 deg.01.70[min] 69 deg.35.40[min]
N. W.
201.......................... 40 deg.01.70[min] 69 deg.37.40[min]
N. W.
202.......................... 40 deg.00.50[min] 69 deg.38.80[min]
N. W.
203.......................... 40 deg.01.30[min] 69 deg.45.00[min]
N. W.
204.......................... 40 deg.02.10[min] 69 deg.45.00[min]
N. W.
205.......................... 40 deg.07.60[min] 70 deg.04.50[min]
N. W.
206.......................... 40 deg.07.80[min] 70 deg.09.20[min]
N. W.
to 119 ...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Offshore Boundary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
69........................... 40 deg.07.90[min] 68 deg.36.00[min]
N. W.
70........................... 40 deg.07.20[min] 68 deg.38.40[min]
N. W.
71........................... 40 deg.06.90[min] 68 deg.46.50[min]
N. W.
72........................... 40 deg.08.70[min] 68 deg.49.60[min]
N. W.
73........................... 40 deg.08.10[min] 68 deg.51.00[min]
N. W.
74........................... 40 deg.05.70[min] 68 deg.52.40[min]
N. W.
75........................... 40 deg.03.60[min] 68 deg.57.20[min]
N. W.
76........................... 40 deg.03.65[min] 69 deg.00.00[min]
N. W.
77........................... 40 deg.04.35[min] 69 deg.00.50[min]
N. W.
78........................... 40 deg.05.20[min] 69 deg.00.50[min]
N. W.
79........................... 40 deg.05.30[min] 69 deg.01.10[min]
N. W.
80........................... 40 deg.08.90[min] 69 deg.01.75[min]
N. W.
81........................... 40 deg.11.00[min] 69 deg.03.80[min]
N. W.
82........................... 40 deg.11.60[min] 69 deg.05.40[min]
N. W.
83........................... 40 deg.10.25[min] 69 deg.04.40[min]
N. W.
84........................... 40 deg.09.75[min] 69 deg.04.15[min]
N. W.
85........................... 40 deg.08.45[min] 69 deg.03.60[min]
N. W.
86........................... 40 deg.05.65[min] 69 deg.03.55[min]
N. W.
87........................... 40 deg.04.10[min] 69 deg.03.90[min]
N. W.
88........................... 40 deg.02.65[min] 69 deg.05.60[min]
N. W.
89........................... 40 deg.02.00[min] 69 deg.08.35[min]
N. W.
90........................... 40 deg.02.65[min] 69 deg.11.15[min]
N. W.
91........................... 40 deg.00.05[min] 69 deg.14.60[min]
N. W.
92........................... 39 deg.57.80[min] 69 deg.20.35[min]
N. W.
93........................... 39.56.75[min] N. 69 deg.24.40[min]
W.
94........................... 39 deg.56.50[min] 69 deg.26.35[min]
N. W.
95........................... 39.56.80[min] N. 69 deg.34.10[min]
W.
96........................... 39 deg.57.85[min] 69 deg.35.05[min]
N. W.
97........................... 40 deg.00.65[min] 69 deg.36.50[min]
N. W.
98........................... 40 deg.00.90[min] 69 deg.37.30[min]
N. W.
99........................... 39 deg.59.15[min] 69 deg.37.30[min]
N. W.
100.......................... 39 deg.58.80[min] 69 deg.38.45[min]
N. W.
102.......................... 39 deg.56.20[min] 69 deg.40.20[min]
N. W.
103.......................... 39 deg.55.75[min] 69 deg.41.40[min]
N. W.
104.......................... 39 deg.56.70[min] 69 deg.53.60[min]
N. W.
105.......................... 39 deg.57.55[min] 69 deg.54.05[min]
N. W.
106.......................... 39 deg.57.40[min] 69 deg.55.90[min]
N. W.
[[Page 388]]
107.......................... 39 deg.56.90[min] 69 deg.57.45[min]
N. W.
108.......................... 39 deg.58.25[min] 70 deg.03.00[min]
N. W.
110.......................... 39 deg.59.20[min] 70 deg.04.90[min]
N. W.
111.......................... 40 deg.00.70[min] 70 deg.08.70[min]
N. W.
112.......................... 40 deg.03.75[min] 70 deg.10.15[min]
N. W.
115.......................... 40 deg.05.20[min] 70 deg.10.90[min]
N. W.
116.......................... 40 deg.02.45[min] 70 deg.14.1[min]
N. W.
119.......................... 40 deg.02.75[min] 70 deg.16.1[min]
N. W.
to 206
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Duration. (i) Mobile gear. From June 16 through September 30, no
fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with
mobile gear may fish, or be in Restricted Gear Area IV unless
transiting. Vessels may transit this area provided that all mobile gear
is on board the vessel while inside the area.
(n) GB Seasonal Closure Area. (1) From May 1 through May 31, no
fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be
in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies, unless
otherwise allowed in this part, may be in the area known as the GB
Seasonal Closure Area, as defined by the straight lines connecting the
following points in the order stated, except as specified in paragraphs
(d) and (n)(2) of this section:
Georges Bank Seasonal Closure Areas
[May 1-May 31]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Point N. Lat. W. Long.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GB1............................. 42 deg.00'........ (\1\)
GB2............................. 42 deg.00'........ 68 deg.30'
GB3............................. 42 deg.20'........ 68 deg.30'
GB4............................. 42 deg.20'........ 67 deg.20'
GB5............................. 41 deg.30'........ 67 deg.20'
CI1............................. 41 deg.30'........ 69 deg.23'
CI2............................. 40 deg.45'........ 68 deg.45'
CI3............................. 40 deg.45'........ 68 deg.30'
GB6............................. 40 deg.30'........ 68 deg.30'
GB7............................. 40 deg.30'........ 69 deg.00'
G10............................. 40 deg.50'........ 69 deg.00'
GB8............................. 40 deg.50'........ 69 deg.30'
GB9............................. 41 deg.00'........ 69 deg.30'
GB10............................ 41 deg.00'........ 70 deg.00'
G12............................. (\1\)............. 70 deg.00'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Northward to its intersection with the shoreline of Mainland
Massachusetts.
(2) Paragraph (n)(1) of this section does not apply to persons on
fishing vessels or to fishing vessels:
(i) That meet the criteria in paragraphs (g)(2) (i) or (ii) of this
section;
(ii) That are fishing as charter/party or recreational vessels; or
(iii) That are fishing with or using scallop dredge gear when
fishing under a scallop DAS or when lawfully fishing in the Scallop
Dredge Fishery Exemption Area as described in Sec. 648.80(a)(11),
provided the vessel uses an 8-inch (20.3-cm) twine top and complies with
the NE multispecies possession restrictions for scallop vessels
specified at Sec. 648.80(h).
(o) Conditional Cashes Ledge & Gulf of Maine Rolling Closure Areas.
(1) If the Regional Administrator determines that at least 50 percent of
the average between the F0.1 target TAC and the
Fmax target (an amount equal to 1.67 million lb (759 mt) for
the 2000 - 2001 fishing year) has been landed as of, or before, July 31
of each year, NMFS, through a timely notification action in the Federal
Register, shall implement the following closures:
(i) Cashes Ledge Closure Area. From November 1 through November 30,
no fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or
be in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies, unless
otherwise allowed in this part, may be in, or on board a vessel in, the
area known as the Cashes Ledge Closure Area, as described in
Sec. 648.81(h)(1), except as provided in Sec. 648.81(h)(2); and
(ii) Rolling Closure Area VI. From January 1 through January 31, no
fishing vessel or person on a fishing vessel may enter, fish in, or be
in, and no fishing gear capable of catching NE multispecies, unless
otherwise allowed in this part, may be in, or on board a vessel in, the
area known as Rolling Closure Area VI, as described in
Sec. 648.81(g)(1)(vi), except as provided in Sec. 648.81(g)(2).
[61 FR 34968, July 3, 1996, as amended at 61 FR 55777, Oct. 29, 1996; 62
FR 9379, Mar. 3, 1997; 62 FR 10748, Mar. 10, 1997; 62 FR 15388, Apr. 1,
1997; 63 FR 7730, Feb. 17, 1998; 63 FR 11595, Mar. 10, 1998; 63 FR
15331, Mar. 31, 1998; 63 FR 25416, May 8, 1998; 64 FR 24075, May 5,
1999; 64 FR 31151, June 10, 1999; 64 FR 42048, Aug. 3, 1999; 65 FR 379,
Jan. 5, 2000; 65 FR 21665, Apr. 24, 2000; 65 FR 37915, June 19, 2000; 65
FR 49946, Aug. 16, 2000; 66 FR 24060, May 11, 2001; 67 FR 38609, June 5,
2002; 67 FR 50316, Aug. 1, 2002]