Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

50 CFR 697.17: Non-trap harvest restrictions.

(a) Non-trap lobster landing limits. In addition to the prohibitions set forth in § 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for a vessel with any non-trap gear on board capable of catching lobsters, or, that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests lobster on a fishing trip in or from the EEZ by a method other than traps, to possess, retain on board, or land, in excess of 100 lobsters (or parts thereof), for each lobster day-at-sea or part of a lobster day-at-sea, up to a maximum of 500 lobsters (or parts thereof) for any one trip, unless otherwise restricted by § 648.80(a)(3)(i), (a)(4)(i)(A), (a)(8)(i), (a)(9)(i)(D), (a)(12)(i)(A), (a)(13)(i)(A), or (b)(3)(ii) of this chapter or § 697.7(c)(2)(i)(C).
(b) Trap prohibition for non-trap lobster harvesters. All persons that fish for, take, catch, or harvest lobsters on a fishing trip in or from the EEZ are prohibited from transferring or attempting to transfer American lobster from one vessel to another vessel.
(c) Trap prohibition for non-trap lobster vessels. Any vessel on a fishing trip in the EEZ that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests lobster by a method other than traps may not possess on board, deploy, fish with, or haul back traps.
(d) Non-trap Jonah crab landing limits. In addition to the prohibitions set forth in § 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for a vessel with any non-trap gear on board that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests Jonah crabs on a fishing trip in or from the EEZ by a method other than traps, to possess, retain on board, or land, in excess of up to 1,000 Jonah crabs (or parts thereof), for each trip, unless otherwise restricted by § 697.7.
(e) Restrictions on fishing for, possessing, or landing fish other than Jonah crabs. Vessels are prohibited from possessing or landing Jonah crabs in excess of 50 percent, by weight, of all other species on board.
(f) Trap prohibition for non-trap Jonah crab harvesters. All persons that fish for, take, catch, or harvest Jonah crabs on a fishing trip in or from the EEZ are prohibited from transferring or attempting to transfer Jonah crabs from one vessel to another vessel.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 50—Wildlife and Fisheries
CHAPTER VI—FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
PART 697—ATLANTIC COASTAL FISHERIES COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT
Subpart B—Management Measures

(b) Trap prohibition for non-trap lobster harvesters. All persons that fish for, take, catch, or harvest lobsters on a fishing trip in or from the EEZ are prohibited from transferring or attempting to transfer American lobster from one vessel to another vessel.

(c) Trap prohibition for non-trap lobster vessels. Any vessel on a fishing trip in the EEZ that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests lobster by a method other than traps may not possess on board, deploy, fish with, or haul back traps.

(d) Non-trap Jonah crab landing limits. In addition to the prohibitions set forth in § 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for a vessel with any non-trap gear on board that fishes for, takes, catches, or harvests Jonah crabs on a fishing trip in or from the EEZ by a method other than traps, to possess, retain on board, or land, in excess of up to 1,000 Jonah crabs (or parts thereof), for each trip, unless otherwise restricted by § 697.7.

(e) Restrictions on fishing for, possessing, or landing fish other than Jonah crabs. Vessels are prohibited from possessing or landing Jonah crabs in excess of 50 percent, by weight, of all other species on board.

(f) Trap prohibition for non-trap Jonah crab harvesters. All persons that fish for, take, catch, or harvest Jonah crabs on a fishing trip in or from the EEZ are prohibited from transferring or attempting to transfer Jonah crabs from one vessel to another vessel.

Collected 2026-08-27T02:26:39Z. Source file · JSON

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