(a) Midwater trawl gear may only be used by a vessel issued a valid herring permit in the GOM/GB Exemption Area as defined in §648.80(a)(17), provided it complies with the midwater trawl gear exemption requirements specified under the NE multispecies regulations at §648.80(d), including issuance of a Letter of Authorization.

(b) Purse seine gear may only be used by a vessel issued a valid herring permit in the GOM/GB Exemption Area as defined in §648.80(a)(17), provided it complies with the purse seine exemption requirements specified under the NE multispecies requirements at §648.80(e), including issuance of a Letter of Authorization.

[72 FR 11277, Mar. 12, 2007, as amended at 83 FR 15275, Apr. 9, 2018]