Lobster Trap Limit in the Coastal Waters of the Commonwealth

(1) Definitions. For the purposes of 322 CMR 6.13, the following words shall have the following meanings. Effective Traps Fished means a value used in: (a) the Outer Cape Cod Trap Allocation Determination that was calculated in the assessment of each eligible fisherman’s annual performance for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002. For each year that traps and landings were reported, Effective Traps Fished is the lower value of the maximum number of traps reported fished for the year and the predicted number of traps that is associated with the permit holder’s reported poundage of lobsters for the year. The value for predicted number of traps was calculated based on a DMF published analysis of traps fished and pounds landed for the OCCLCMA, and that relationship is depicted in 322 CMR 6.13: Figure 1. FIGURE 1. Figure 1. Relationship between pounds harvested and traps fished used to allocate Initial Trap Allocation. Data to calculate the relationship was obtained from catch reports from fishermen fishing primarily in Outer Cape Cod Lobster Conservation Management Area during years (1997-2001). (b) the LCMA 2 Trap Allocation Determination that was calculated in the assessment of each eligible fisherman’s annual performance for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003. For each year that traps and landings were reported, Effective Traps Fished is the lower value of the maximum number of traps reported fished for the year and the predicted number of traps that is associated with the permit holder’s reported poundage of lobsters for the year. The value for predicted number of traps was calculated based on the Interstate Lobster Management Plan Addendum VII published by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that relationship is depicted in Figure 2. FIGURE 2 Figure 2. Relationship between pounds harvested and traps fished used to allocate Initial Trap Allocation. Data to calculate the relationship was obtained from catch reports from fishermen fishing primarily in LCMA 2 during years (2001-2003). (c) Exception. For coastal lobster permit holders who fished for lobster primarily by hand using SCUBA gear in a LCMA under control of an effort control plan, Effective Traps Fished means the annual predicted number of traps that is associated with the permit holder’s reported poundage of lobsters during the performance years specified for a LCMA under control of an effort control plan as defined in 322 CMR 6.13(1)(a) and (b). The value for predicted number of traps was calculated based on a DMF published analysis of traps fished and pounds landed for a LCMA and that relationship is depicted in 322 CMR 6.13: Figures 1 and 2. Fish means to set lobster traps on the ocean bottom. LCMA 2 Trap Allocation means the number of traps assigned to a coastal permit holder endorsed for LCMA 2 plus or minus anytraps allocated through the trap transfer process outlined in 322 CMR 7.03: Coastal Lobster Permit and Trap Allocation Transfer Programs. Lobster means that species known as Homarus americanus. (2) Eligibility for Trap Allocation. (a) To be Eligible for Trap Allocation in OCCLCMA, permit holders must have documented lawful fishing of lobster traps primarilyin OCCLCMA during years 1999, 2000, or 2001. Any permit holder who held a permit endorsed for OCCLCMA during the years 1999, 2000, or 2001 but dropped OCCLCMA from their permit during a subsequent year is not eligible. Any permit holder who received their permit off the waiting list during 2001 and had no fishing performance in 2001 may appeal for an Initial Trap Allocation based on their 2002 fishing performance in OCCLCMA. (b) To be Eligible for Trap Allocation in LCMA 2, permit holders must have documented lawful fishing of lobster traps primarily in LCMA 2 during years 2001, 2002, and 2003. Any permit holder who held a permit endorsed for LCMA 2 during the years 2001, 2002, and 2003 but dropped LCMA 2 from their permit during a subsequent year is not eligible. Any permit holder who received their permit off the waiting list during 2003 and had no fishing performance in 2003 may appeal for an Initial Trap Allocation based on their 2004 fishing performance in LCMA 2. Any permit holder who had no documented fishing performance due to documented medically-based inability or military service may appeal for an Initial Trap Allocation based on their 1999 and 2000 fishing performance in LCMA 2. (c) Exception. Coastal Lobster permit holders who fished for lobster primarily by hand using SCUBA gear during the years of eligibility for a LCMA under control of an effort control plan as defined in 322 CMR 6.13(2) may be eligible for Trap Allocation in a LCMA based on documented lawful landings of lobster as provided for in 322 CMR 6.13(1)(c) and (3). (3) Trap Allocation Determination. (a) Outer Cape Cod. 1. Initial Trap Allocation shall be the highest value of Effective Traps Fished for each permit holder during the period 2000 though 2002. The Director may lower a permit holder’s Initial Trap Allocation if the permit holder failed to purchase and use valid trap tags for any year used in the allocation determination or if after a DMF audit the values for traps fished or poundage are determined to be incorrect. 2. Trap Allocation shall be adjusted annually based on any Trap Allocation transfers approved by the Director pursuant to 322 CMR 7.03: Coastal Lobster Permit and Trap Allocation Transfer Programs. (b) LCMA 2. 1. Initial Trap Allocation shall be the highest value of Effective Traps Fished for each permit holder during the period 2001 though 2003. The Director may lower a permit holder's Initial Trap Allocation if the permit holder failed to purchase and use valid trap tags for any year used in the allocation determination or if after a DMF audit the values for traps fished or poundage are determined to be incorrect. 2. Trap Allocation shall be adjusted: a. based on any Trap Allocation transfers approved by the Director pursuant to 322 CMR 7.03: Coastal Lobster Permit and Trap Allocation Transfer Programs; or b. Pursuant to any ASMFC approved trap allocation adjustment plan: ASMFC Addendum XVIII. On January1, 2016, trap allocations shall be reduced by 25%. Thereafter, on an annual basis beginning in 2017, trap allocations shall be reduced by 5% from the previous year's allocation for the following five years. (4) Trap Limitation. It is unlawful for any person with a commercial lobster permit endorsed for: (a) LCMA 1 to fish more than 800 lobster traps at any one time in LCMA 1; (b) LCMA 2 to fish more than their trap allocation approved by the Director subject to trap allocation regulations established by 322 CMR 6.13; (c) LCMA 3 to fish more traps than their allocation approved by NOAA Fisheries and the Director consistent with the interstate plan; or (d) OCCLCMA to fish more than their trap allocation as approved by the Director subject to trap allocation regulations established by 322 CMR 6.13. (5) Vessel Limitation. (a) Commercial Lobster Permits Endorsed for LCMA 1, 2 or the OCCLCMA. It shall be unlawful to fish more than 800 traps aboard any vessel involved in the offshore commercial lobster fishery in LCMA 1, 2, or OCCLCMA or the coastal commercial lobster fishery, regardless of the number of fishermen holding coastal or offshore commercial lobster permits on board said vessel. (b) Commercial Lobster Permits Endorsed for LCMA 3. It shall be unlawful to fish more than the allocation approved by NOAA Fisheries and the Director consistent with the interstate plan aboard any vessel involved in the offshore commercial lobster fishery in LCMA 3, regardless of the number of fishermen holding offshore commercial lobster permits on board said vessel.