Application for Exempted Fishing Permits under Magnuson-Stevens Act
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This notice allows certain fishing activities that normally wouldn't be allowed under existing regulations. Federally permitted vessels can bypass some rules to collect data on lobsters and Jonah crabs in Massachusetts. The project aims to provide independent data on these species' growth and abundance. It affects fishing vessels and researchers involved in marine studies within defined Massachusetts waters.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Allows Massachusetts fishing vessels to bypass some federal fishing regulations
- Collects data on lobster and Jonah crab in Massachusetts waters
- Focus on research for growth and abundance of marine species
Obligations
What this law requires
Submit written comments on the EFP application by April 28, 2026, via email to nmfs.gar.efp@noaa.gov with subject line 'MA DMF 2026 Ventless Trap Survey'
Participating vessels must use traps without escape vents in Lobster Management Areas 1 and 2 as specified in the exemption, with vented traps containing standardized rectangular vents (1 15/16" x 5 3/4") in the parlor
Limit trap deployment to maximum 360 traps in Area 1 and 96 traps in Area 2, exceeding standard trap limits only as allowed under this exemption
Tag all survey traps as 'MA DMF Research Traps' using alternative tagging methods approved under this exemption
Ensure at least one MA DMF scientist is on board during sampling trips; MA DMF personnel must not be on board when traps are baited and deployed