NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office

American Lobster Proposed Broodstock Management Measures

NOAA Fisheries Service announces its intent to consider revisions to the Federal American lobster regulations in response to recommendations by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) and to clarify existing regulations. The proposed management measures would increase protection to American lobster broodstock throughout the stock’s range as recommended to NOAA Fisheries Service by the Commission as part of the Commission’s Addenda II and III to Amendment 3 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. NOAA Fisheries Service has published a proposed rule in the Federal Register, which describes the changes. Click here for information about submitting comments on the proposed rule.

	Highlights
	The proposed lobster broodstock management measures would: Revise the Egg Per Recruit overfishing target timeline of F10 from the year 2005 to the year 2008 Increase the lobster minimum legal carapace size limit from 3 1/4 inches (8.26 centimeters (cm)) to 3 3/8 inches (8.57 cm) in LCMA 2 (inshore Southern New England), LCMA 3 (offshore waters), LCMA 4 (inshore Northern Mid-Atlantic), LCMA 5 (inshore Southern Mid-Atlantic), and the Outer Cape Management Area Increase the rectangular lobster trap escape vent size from 1 15/16 inches x 5 3/4 inches (4.92 cm x 14.61 cm) to 2 inches x 5 3/4 inches (5.08 cm x 14.61 cm) in LCMAs 2, 3, 4, 5, and the Outer Cape Increase the circular lobster trap escape vent size from 2 7/16 inches (6.19 cm) to 2 5/8 inches (6.67 cm) in LCMAs 2, 3, 4, 5, and the Outer Cape Implement a 5 1/4 inch (13.34 cm) maximum legal carapace size on possession of female lobsters in LCMA 4, and 5 1/2 inches (13.97 cm) in LCMA 5 Require mandatory V-notching of female lobsters carrying eggs in LCMA 1 (Gulf of Maine) and in LCMA 3 above the 42°30' North latitude line Require a zero tolerance definition of V-notched female lobsters in LCMA 1 Implement a 5 mile (8 kilometer) overlap boundary area between LCMAs 3 and 5.

	Highlights
	To clarify existing regulations, the proposed measures would: Allow a change in the LMCA designations of a fishing vessel with a Federal lobster permit upon sale, transfer, or within 45 days of the permit’s effective date Clearly reference other laws and regulations applicable to Federal lobster permit holders Clearly prohibit hauling or possession of lobster trap gear belonging to another vessel, Exempt lobster trap gear retrieval from provisions of the exempted fishing regulations by a substitute vessel if a Federally permitted vessel is inoperable or mechanically impaired.

	Features
	Proposed Rule Permit Holder Letter Chart of Lobster Management Areas Draft EA, IRIR, IRFA Press Release Lobster Management Webpage

	Questions?
	Contact Robert Ross (978) 281-9234 National Marine Fisheries Service Protected Resources Division One Blackburn Drive Gloucester, MA 01930

Last Updated: September 2, 2005

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