(a) Resolution of lobster gear conflicts with fisheries managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Act shall be done under provisions of §648.55 of this chapter.

(b) Restricted Gear Area I—(1) Duration—(i) Mobile Gear. From October 1 through June 15 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be, in Restricted Gear Area I, as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.

(ii) Lobster trap gear. From June 16 through September 30 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area I as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area I. Restricted Gear Area I is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Inshore Boundary

Open Table
Point to Latitude Longitude
120 40°06.4 N. 68°35.8 W.
  69 40°07.9 N. 68°36.0 W.
  70 40°07.2 N. 68°38.4 W.
  71 40°06.9 N. 68°46.5 W.
  72 40°08.7 N. 68°49.6 W.
  73 40°08.1 N. 68°51.0 W.
  74 40°05.7 N. 68°52.4 W.
  75 40°03.6 N. 68°57.2 W.
  76 40°03.65 N. 69°00.0 W.
  77 40°04.35 N. 69°00.5 W.
  78 40°05.2 N. 69°00.5 W.
  79 40°05.3 N. 69°01.1 W.
  80 40°08.9 N. 69°01.75 W.
  81 40°11.0 N. 69°03.8 W.
  82 40°11.6 N. 69°05.4 W.
  83 40°10.25 N. 69°04.4 W.
  84 40°09.75 N. 69°04.15 W.
  85 40°08.45 N. 69°03.6 W.
  86 40°05.65 N. 69°03.55 W.
  87 40°04.1 N. 69°03.9 W.
  88 40°02.65 N. 69°05.6 W.
  89 40°02.00 N. 69°08.35 W.
  90 40°02.65 N. 69°11.15 W.
  91 40°00.05 N. 69°14.6 W.
  92 39°57.8 N. 69°20.35 W.
  93 39°56.65 N. 69°24.4 W.
  94 39°56.1 N. 69°26.35 W.
  95 39°56.55 N. 69°34.1 W.
  96 39°57.85 N. 69°35.5 W.
  97 40°00.65 N. 69°36.5 W.
  98 40°00.9 N. 69°37.3 W.
  99 39°59.15 N. 69°37.3 W.
100 39°58.8 N. 69°38.45 W.
102 39°56.2 N. 69°40.2 W.
103 39°55.75 N. 69°41.4 W.
104 39°56.7 N. 69°53.6 W.
105 39°57.55 N. 69°54.05 W.
106 39°57.4 N. 69°55.9 W.
107 39°56.9 N. 69°57.45 W.
108 39°58.25 N. 70°03.0 W.
110 39°59.2 N. 70°04.9 W.
111 40°00.7 N. 70°08.7 W.
112 40°03.75 N. 70°10.15 W.
115 40°05.2 N. 70°10.9 W.
116 40°02.45 N. 70°14.1 W.
119 40°02.75 N. 70°16.1 W.
to 181 39°59.3 N. 70°14.0 W.

Offshore Boundary

Open Table
Point to Latitude Longitude
  69 40°07.9 N. 68°36.0 W.
120 40°06.4 N. 68°35.8 W.
121 40°05.25 N. 68°39.3 W.
122 40°05.4 N. 68°44.5 W.
123 40°06.0 N. 68°46.5 W.
124 40°07.4 N. 68°49.6 W.
125 40°05.55 N. 68°49.8 W.
126 40°03.9 N. 68°51.7 W.
127 40°02.25 N. 68°55.4 W.
128 40°02.6 N. 69°00.0 W.
129 40°02.75 N. 69°00.75 W.
130 40°04.2 N. 69°01.75 W.
131 40°06.15 N. 69°01.95 W.
132 40°07.25 N. 69°02.0 W.
133 40°08.5 N. 69°02.25 W.
134 40°09.2 N. 69°02.95 W.
135 40°09.75 N. 69°03.3 W.
136 40°09.55 N. 69°03.85 W.
137 40°08.4 N. 69°03.4 W.
138 40°07.2 N. 69°03.3 W.
139 40°06.0 N. 69°03.1 W.
140 40°05.4 N. 69°03.05 W.
141 40°04.8 N. 69°03.05 W.
142 40°03.55 N. 69°03.55 W.
143 40°01.9 N. 69°03.95 W.
144 40°01.0 N. 69°04.4 W.
146 39°59.9 N. 69°06.25 W.
147 40°00.6 N. 69°10.05 W.
148 39°59.25 N. 69°11.15 W.
149 39°57.45 N. 69°16.05 W.
150 39°56.1 N. 69°20.1 W.
151 39°54.6 N. 69°25.65 W.
152 39°54.65 N. 69°26.9 W.
153 39°54.8 N. 69°30.95 W.
154 39°54.35 N. 69°33.4 W.
155 39°55.0 N. 69°34.9 W.
156 39°56.55 N. 69°36.0 W.
157 39°57.95 N. 69°36.45 W.
158 39°58.75 N. 69°36.3 W.
159 39°58.8 N. 69°36.95 W.
160 39°57.95 N. 69°38.1 W.
161 39°54.5 N. 69°38.25 W.
162 39°53.6 N. 69°46.5 W.
163 39°54.7 N. 69°50.0 W.
164 39°55.25 N. 69°51.4 W.
165 39°55.2 N. 69°53.1 W.
166 39°54.85 N. 69°53.9 W.
167 39°55.7 N. 69°54.9 W.
168 39°56.15 N. 69°55.35 W.
169 39°56.05 N. 69°56.25 W.
170 39°55.3 N. 69°57.1 W.
171 39°54.8 N. 69°58.6 W.
172 39°56.05 N. 70°00.65 W.
173 39°55.3 N. 70°02.95 W.
174 39°56.9 N. 70°11.3 W.
175 39°58.9 N. 70°11.5 W.
176 39°59.6 N. 70°11.1 W.
177 40°01.35 N. 70°11.2 W.
178 40°02.6 N. 70°12.0 W.
179 40°00.4 N. 70°12.3 W.
180 39°59.7 N. 70°13.05 W.
181 39°59.3 N. 70°14.0 W. to
119 40°02.75 N. 70°16.1 W.

(c) Restricted Gear Area II—(1) Duration—(i) Mobile Gear. From November 27 through June 15 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be, in Restricted Gear Area II (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.

(ii) Lobster trap gear. From June 16 through November 26 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area II as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.

(2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area II. Restricted Gear Area II is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Inshore Boundary

Open Table
Point to Latitude Longitude
  1 39°59.3 N. 70°14.0 W.
49 40°02.75 N. 70°16.1 W.
50 40°00.7 N. 70°18.6 W.
51 39°59.8 N. 70°21.75 W.
52 39°59.75 N. 70°25.5 W.
53 40°03.85 N. 70°28.75 W.
54 40°00.55 N. 70°32.1 W.
55 39°59.15 N. 70°34.45 W.
56 39°58.9 N. 70°38.65 W.
57 40°00.1 N. 70°45.1 W.
58 40°00.5 N. 70°57.6 W.
59 40°02.0 N. 71°01.3 W.
60 39°59.3 N. 71°18.4 W.
61 40°00.7 N. 71°19.8 W.
62 39°57.5 N. 71°20.6 W.
63 39°53.1 N. 71°36.1 W.
64 39°52.6 N. 71°40.35 W.
65 39°53.1 N. 71°42.7 W.
66 39°46.95 N. 71°49.0 W.
67 39°41.15 N. 71°57.1 W.
68 39°35.45 N. 72°02.0 W.
69 39°32.65 N. 72°06.1 W.
70 39°29.75 N. 72°09.8 W.
to 48 39°29.0 N. 72°09.25 W.

Offshore Boundary

Open Table
Point to Latitude Longitude
49 40°02.75 N. 70°16.1 W.
  1 39°59.3 N. 70°14.0 W.
  2 39°58.85 N. 70°15.2 W.
  3 39°59.3 N. 70°18.4 W.
  4 39°58.1 N. 70°19.4 W.
  5 39°57.0 N. 70°19.85 W.
  6 39°57.55 N. 70°21.25 W.
  7 39°57.5 N. 70°22.8 W.
  8 39°57.1 N. 70°25.4 W.
  9 39°57.65 N. 70°27.05 W.
10 39°58.58 N. 70°27.7 W.
11 40°00.65 N. 70°28.8 W.
12 40°02.2 N. 70°29.15 W.
13 40°01.0 N. 70°30.2 W.
14 39°58.58 N. 70°31.85 W.
15 39°57.05 N. 70°34.35 W.
16 39°56.42 N. 70°36.8 W.
21 39°58.15 N. 70°48.0 W.
24 39°58.3 N. 70°51.1 W.
25 39°58.1 N. 70°52.25 W.
26 39°58.05 N. 70°53.55 W.
27 39°58.4 N. 70°59.6 W.
28 39°59.8 N. 71°01.05 W.
29 39°58.2 N. 71°05.85 W.
30 39°57.45 N. 71°12.15 W.
31 39°57.2 N. 71°15.0 W.
32 39°56.3 N. 71°18.95 W.
33 39°51.4 N. 71°36.1 W.
34 39°51.75 N. 71°41.5 W.
35 39°50.05 N. 71°42.5 W.
36 39°50.0 N. 71°45.0 W.
37 39°48.95 N. 71°46.05 W.
38 39°46.6 N. 71°46.1 W.
39 39°43.5 N. 71°49.4 W.
40 39°41.3 N. 71°55.0 W.
41 39°39.0 N. 71°55.6 W.
42 39°36.72 N. 71°58.25 W.
43 39°35.15 N. 71°58.55 W.
44 39°34.5 N. 72°00.75 W.
45 39°32.2 N. 72°02.25 W.
46 39°32.15 N. 72°04.1 W.
47 39°28.5 N. 72°06.5 W.
48 39°29.0 N. 72°09.25 W.
to 70 39°29.75 N. 72°09.8 W.

(d) Restricted Gear Area III—(1) Duration—(i) Mobile Gear. From June 16 through November 26 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be, in Restricted Gear Area III (as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.

(ii) Lobster trap gear. From January 1 through April 30 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area III as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area III. Restricted Gear Area III is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Inshore Boundary

Open Table
Point to Latitude Longitude
  49 40°02.75 N. 70°16.1 W.
182 40°05.6 N. 70°17.7 W.
183 40°06.5 N. 70°40.05 W.
184 40°11.05 N. 70°45.8 W.
185 40°12.75 N. 70°55.05 W.
186 40°10.7 N. 71°10.25 W.
187 39°57.9 N. 71°28.7 W.
188 39°55.6 N. 71°41.2 W.
189 39°55.85 N. 71°45.0 W.
190 39°53.75 N. 71°52.25 W.
191 39°47.2 N. 72°01.6 W.
192 39°33.65 N. 72°15.0 W.
to 70 39°29.75 N. 72°09.8 W.

Offshore Boundary

Open Table
Point to Latitude Longitude
182 40°05.6 N. 70°17.7 W.
  49 40°02.75 N. 70°16.1 W.
  50 40°00.7 N. 70°18.6 W.
  51 39°59.8 N. 70°21.75 W.
  52 39°59.75 N. 70°25.5 W.
  53 40°03.85 N. 70°28.75 W.
  54 40°00.55 N. 70°32.1 W.
  55 39°59.15 N. 70°34.45 W.
  56 39°58.9 N. 70°38.6 W.
  57 40°00.1 N. 70°45.1 W.
  58 40°00.5 N. 70°57.6 W.
  59 40°02.0 N. 71°01.3 W.
  60 39°59.3 N. 71°18.4 W.
  61 40°00.7 N. 71°19.8 W.
  62 39°57.5 N. 71°20.6 W.
  63 39°53.1 N. 71°36.1 W.
  64 39°52.6 N. 71°40.35 W.
  65 39°53.1 N. 71°42.7 W.
  66 39°46.95 N. 71°49.0 W.
  67 39°41.15 N. 71°57.1 W.
  68 39°35.45 N. 72°02.0 W.
  69 39°32.65 N. 72°06.1 W.
  70 39°29.75 N. 72°09.8 W.
to 192 39°33.65 N. 72°15.0 W.

(e) Restricted Gear Area IV—(1) Duration for Mobile Gear. From June 16 through September 30 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be, in Restricted Gear Area IV (as defined in paragraph (e)(2) of this section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.

(2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area IV. Restricted Gear Area IV is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Inshore Boundary

Open Table
Point Latitude Longitude
193 40°13.60 N. 68°40.60 W.
194 40°11.60 N. 68°53.00 W.
195 40°14.00 N. 69°04.70 W.
196 40°14.30 N. 69°05.80 W.
197 40°05.50 N. 69°09.00 W.
198 39°57.30 N. 69°25.10 W.
199 40°00.40 N. 69°35.20 W.
200 40°01.70 N. 69°35.40 W.
201 40°01.70 N. 69°37.40 W.
202 40°00.50 N. 69°38.80 W.
203 40°01.30 N. 69°45.00 W.
204 40°02.10 N. 70°45.00 W.
205 40°07.60 N. 70°04.50 W.
206 40°07.80 N. 70°09.20 W.
to 119 40°02.75 N. 70°16.1 W.

Offshore Boundary

Open Table
Point to Latitude Longitude
193 40°13.60 N. 68°40.60 W.
  69 40°07.90 N. 68°36.00 W.
  70 40°07.20 N. 68°38.40 W.
  71 40°06.90 N. 68°46.50 W.
  72 40°08.70 N. 68°49.60 W.
  73 40°08.10 N. 68°51.00 W.
  74 40°05.70 N. 68°52.40 W.
  75 40°03.60 N. 68°57.20 W.
  76 40°03.65 N. 69°00.00 W.
  77 40°04.35 N. 69°00.50 W.
  78 40°05.20 N. 69°00.50 W.
  79 40°05.30 N. 69°01.10 W.
  80 40°08.90 N. 69°01.75 W.
  81 40°11.00 N. 69°03.80 W.
  82 40°11.60 N. 69°05.40 W.
  83 40°10.25 N. 69°04.40 W.
  84 40°09.75 N. 69°04.15 W.
  85 40°08.45 N. 69°03.60 W.
  86 40°05.65 N. 69°03.55 W.
  87 40°04.10 N. 69°03.90 W.
  88 40°02.65 N. 69°05.60 W.
  89 40°02.00 N. 69°08.35 W.
  90 40°02.65 N. 69°11.15 W.
  91 40°00.05 N. 69°14.60 W.
  92 39°57.80 N. 69°20.35 W.
  93 39°56.75 N. 69°24.40 W.
  94 39°56.50 N. 69°26.35 W.
  95 39°56.80 N. 69°34.10 W.
  96 39°57.85 N. 69°35.05 W.
  97 40°00.65 N. 69°36.50 W.
  98 40°00.90 N. 69°37.30 W.
  99 39°59.15 N. 69°37.30 W.
100 39°58.80 N. 69°38.45 W.
102 39°56.20 N. 69°40.20 W.
103 39°55.75 N. 69°41.40 W.
104 39°56.70 N. 69°53.60 W.
105 39°57.55 N. 69°54.05 W.
106 39°57.40 N. 69°55.90 W.
107 39°56.90 N. 69°57.45 W.
108 39°58.25 N. 70°03.00 W.
110 39°59.20 N. 70°04.90 W.
111 40°00.70 N. 70°08.70 W.
112 40°03.75 N. 70°10.15 W.
115 40°05.20 N. 70°10.90 W.
116 40°02.45 N. 70°14.1 W.
119 40°02.75 N. 70°16.1 W.
to 206 40°07.80 N. 70°09.20 W.

(f) Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve.

(1) No vessel or person may fish for horseshoe crabs in the area known as the Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve bounded as follows:

(i) On the north by a straight line connecting points 39°14.6 N. lat., 74°30.9 W. long. (3 nm off of Peck Beach, NJ) and 39°14.6 N lat., 74°22.5 W. long.

(ii) On the east by a straight line connecting points 39°14.6 N. lat., 74°22.5 W. long. and 38°22.0 N. lat., 74°22.5 W. long.

(iii) On the south by a straight line connecting points 38°22.0 N. lat., 74°22.5 W. long. and 38°22.0 N. lat., 75°00.4 W. long. (3 nm off of Ocean City, MD).

(iv) On the west by the outermost boundary of state waters.

(2) No vessel or person on a vessel with a trawl or dredge may possess horseshoe crabs in the area described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section.

(3) Horseshoe crabs caught in the area described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section must be returned immediately to the water without further harm.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 8911, Feb. 5, 2001]


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