Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Plan
Consequence Closure Areas

NMFS, in consultation with the Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team (HPTRT), has established a strategy to ensure compliance with HPTRP pinger requirements. Consequence closure areas are specific areas of historically high levels of harbor porpoise bycatch that will seasonally close if bycatch rates over two consecutive management seasons exceed a specified rate.

If any of the consequence closure areas are triggered, they will remain in effect until bycatch levels achieve the zero mortality rate goal (ZMRG) established for harbor porpoises or until the HPTRT and NMFS develop and implement new measures. NMFS is currently monitoring the rates of harbor porpoise bycatch and is evaluating the most recent two years of harbor porpoise bycatch information to be averaged and compared to the specified bycatch rate. Consequence closure areas will only be in effect after the specified rate of harbor porpoise bycatch is exceeded.

Three consequence closure areas have been established:

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Please Note: This above figure depicts the locations of the three consequence closure areas should they become implemented in the future. Consequence closure areas will be implemented only if the harbor porpoise bycatch rate averaged over two management seasons exceeds the specified harbor porpoise bycatch rate established by NMFS. Prior to this trigger, these closure areas are not in effect.

1. Coastal Gulf of Maine Consequence Closure Area

If the harbor porpoise bycatch rate in the Mid-Coast Management Area, Massachusetts Bay Management Area, and Stellwagen Bank Management Area combined exceeds 0.031 harbor porpoises per metric tons (which is equivalent to *1 harbor porpoise taken per 71,117 lbs*) landed after two consecutive management seasons, the Coastal Gulf of Maine Consequence Closure Area will be closed to gillnet fishing each year during the months of October and November. When this area is not closed, the current seasonal requirements of the HPTRP management areas remain in effect.

2. Cape Cod South Expansion Consequence Closure Area

3. Eastern Cape Cod Consequence Closure Area

If the harbor porpoise bycatch rate for the Southern New England Management Area exceeds 0.023 harbor porpoises per metric tons (which is equivalent to *1 harbor porpoise taken per 95,853 lbs*) landed after two consecutive management seasons, both the Cape Cod South Expansion Consequence Closure Area and the Eastern Cape Cod Consequence Closure Area will be closed to gillnet fishing each year from February through April. When these areas are not closed, the current seasonal requirements of the Southern New England Management Area remain in effect.