50 CFR 600 Subpart H General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries

Fishery Conservation and Management
§ 600.625

Secretary’s decision.

(a) The Secretary will, on the basis of
the hearing, record the administrative
law judge’s recommended decision:
(1) Accept or reject any of the findings or conclusions of the administrative law judge and decide whether the
factual findings exist for Federal preemption of a state’s authority within
its boundaries (other than in its internal waters) with respect to the fishery
in question;
(2) Reserve decision on the merits or
withdraw the notice of proposed preemption; or
(3) Remand the case to the administrative law judge for further proceedings as may be appropriate, along
with a statement of reasons for the remand.
(b) Notification. (1) If the factual findings for Federal preemption are determined to exist, the Secretary will notify in writing the Attorney General of
that state and the appropriate Council(s) of the preemption of that state’s
authority. The Secretary will also direct the Administrator to promulgate
appropriate regulations proposed under
§ 600.615(d) and otherwise to begin regulating the fishery within the state’s
boundaries (other than in its internal
waters).
(2) If the factual findings for Federal
preemption are determined not to
exist, the Secretary will notify, in
writing, the Attorney General of the
state and the appropriate Council(s) of
that determination. The Secretary will
also direct the Administrator to issue a
notice withdrawing any regulations
proposed under § 600.615(d).
§ 600.630 Application for reinstatement
of state authority.
(a) Application or notice. (1) At any
time after the promulgation of regulations under § 600.625(b)(1) to regulate a
fishery within a state’s boundaries, the
affected state may apply to the Secretary for reinstatement of state authority. The Secretary may also serve
upon such state a notice of intent to
terminate such Federal regulation. A
state’s application must include a clear
and concise statement of:
(i) The action taken by the State to
correct the action or omission found to

§ 600.705
have substantially and adversely affected the carrying out of the FMP; or
(ii) Any changed circumstances that
affect the relationship of the state’s action or omission to take action to the
carrying out of the FMP (including any
amendment to such plan); and
(iii) Any laws, regulations, or other
materials that the state believes support the application.
(2) Any such application received by
the Secretary or notice issued to the
State will be published in the FEDERAL
REGISTER.
(b) Informal response. The Secretary
has sole discretion to accept or reject
the application or response. If the Secretary accepts the application or rejects any responses and finds that the
reasons for regulation of the fishery
within the boundaries of the state no
longer prevail, the Secretary will
promptly terminate such regulation
and publish in the FEDERAL REGISTER
any regulatory amendments necessary
to accomplish that end.
(c) Hearing. The Secretary has sole
discretion to direct the Administrator
to schedule hearings for the receipt of
evidence by an administrative law
judge. Hearings before the administrative law judge to receive such evidence
will be conducted in accordance with
§ 600.620. Upon conclusion of such hearings, the administrative law judge will
certify the record and a recommended
decision to the Secretary. If the Secretary, upon consideration of the
state’s application or any response to
the
notice
published
under
§ 600.630(a)(2), the hearing record, the
recommended decision, and any other
relevant materials finds that the reasons for regulation of the fishery within the boundaries of the state no longer
prevail, the Secretary will promptly
terminate such regulation and publish
in the FEDERAL REGISTER any regulatory amendments necessary to accomplish that end.

Subpart H—General Provisions for
Domestic Fisheries
§ 600.705 Relation to other laws.
(a) General. Persons affected by these
regulations should be aware that other
Federal and state statutes and regulations may apply to their activities.

101

§ 600.710

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)

Vessel operators may wish to refer to
USCG regulations found in the Code of
Federal Regulations title 33—Navigation and Navigable Waters and 46—
Shipping; 15 CFR part 904, subpart D—
Permit Sanctions and Denials; and
title 43—Public Lands (in regard to marine sanctuaries).
(b) State responsibilities. Certain responsibilities relating to data collection and enforcement may be performed by authorized state personnel
under a state/Federal agreement for
data collection and a tripartite agreement among the state, the USCG, and
the Secretary for enforcement.
(c) Submarine cables. Fishing vessel
operators must exercise due care in the
conduct of fishing activities near submarine cables. Damage to the submarine cables resulting from intentional acts or from the failure to exercise due care in the conduct of fishing
operations subjects the fishing vessel
operator to the criminal penalties prescribed by the Submarine Cable Act (47
U.S.C. 21) which implements the International Convention for the Protection
of Submarine Cables. Fishing vessel operators also should be aware that the
Submarine Cable Act prohibits fishing
operations at a distance of less than 1
nautical mile (1.85 km) from a vessel
engaged in laying or repairing a submarine cable; or at a distance of less
than 0.25 nautical mile (0.46 km) from a
buoy or buoys intended to mark the position of a cable when being laid or
when out of order or broken.
(d) Marine mammals. Regulations governing exemption permits and the recordkeeping and reporting of the incidental take of marine mammals are set
forth in part 229 of this title.
(e) Halibut fishing. Fishing for halibut
is governed by regulations of the International Pacific Halibut Commission
set forth at part 300 of this title.
(f) Marine sanctuaries. Regulations
governing fishing activities inside the
boundaries of national marine sanctuaries are set forth in 15 CFR part 922.
(g) High seas fishing activities. Regulations governing permits and requirements for fishing activities on the high
seas are set forth in 50 CFR part 300,
subparts A and R. Any vessel operating
on the high seas must obtain a permit

issued pursuant to the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act.
[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 80
FR 62500, Oct. 16, 2015; 81 FR 51138, Aug. 3,
2016; 85 FR 15392, Mar. 18, 2020]

§ 600.710 Permits.
Regulations pertaining to permits required for certain fisheries are set
forth in the parts of this chapter governing those fisheries.
§ 600.715 Recordkeeping and reporting.
Regulations pertaining to records
and reports required for certain fisheries are set forth in the parts of this
chapter governing those fisheries.
§ 600.720 Vessel and gear identification.
Regulations pertaining to special
vessel and gear markings required for
certain fisheries are set forth in the
parts of this chapter governing those
fisheries.
§ 600.725 General prohibitions.
It is unlawful for any person to do
any of the following:
(a) Possess, have custody or control
of, ship, transport, offer for sale, sell,
purchase, land, import, export or re-export, any fish or parts thereof taken or
retained in violation of the MagnusonStevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA or any regulation
or permit issued thereunder, or import,
export, transport, sell, receive, acquire,
or purchase in interstate or foreign
commerce any fish taken, possessed,
transported, or sold in violation of any
foreign law or regulation, or any treaty
or in contravention of a binding conservation measure adopted by an international agreement or organization to
which the United States is a party.
(b) Transfer or attempt to transfer,
directly or indirectly, any U.S.-harvested fish to any foreign fishing vessel, while such vessel is in the EEZ, unless the foreign fishing vessel has been
issued a permit under section 204 of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, which authorizes the receipt by such vessel of U.S.harvested fish.
(c) Fail to comply immediately with
enforcement and boarding procedures
specified in § 600.730.

102

Fishery Conservation and Management
(d) Refuse to allow an authorized officer to board a fishing vessel or to enter
areas of custody for purposes of conducting any search, inspection, or seizure in connection with the enforcement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or
any other statute administered by
NOAA.
(e) Dispose of fish or parts thereof or
other matter in any manner, after any
communication or signal from an authorized officer, or after the approach
by an authorized officer or an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
(f) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with
any authorized officer in the conduct of
any search, inspection, or seizure in
connection with enforcement of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other
statute administered by NOAA.
(g) Interfere with, delay, or prevent
by any means, the apprehension of another person, knowing that such person
has committed any act prohibited by
the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any
other statute administered by NOAA.
(h) Resist a lawful arrest for any act
prohibited under the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
(i) Make any false statement, oral or
written, to an authorized officer concerning the taking, catching, harvesting, landing, purchase, sale, offer
of sale, possession, transport, import,
export, or transfer of any fish, or attempts to do any of the above.
(j) Interfere with, obstruct, delay, or
prevent by any means an investigation,
search, seizure, or disposition of seized
property in connection with enforcement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or
any other statute administered by
NOAA.
(k) Fish in violation of the terms or
conditions of any permit or authorization issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
(l) Fail to report catches as required
while fishing pursuant to an exempted
fishing permit.
(m) On a scientific research vessel,
engage in fishing other than recreational fishing authorized by applicable state or Federal regulations.
(n) Trade, barter, or sell; or attempt
to trade, barter, or sell fish possessed

§ 600.725
or retained while fishing pursuant to
an authorization for an exempted educational activity.
(o) Harass or sexually harass an authorized officer or an observer.
(p) Fail to show proof of passing the
USCG Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination or the alternate NMFS
safety equipment examination, or fail
to maintain the vessel safety conditions necessary to pass the examination, when required by NMFS pursuant
to § 600.746.
(q) Fail to display a Commercial
Fishing Vessel Safety Examination
decal or a valid certificate of compliance or inspection pursuant to § 600.746.
(r) Fail to provide to an observer, a
NMFS employee, or a designated observer provider information that has
been requested pursuant to § 600.746, or
fail to allow an observer, a NMFS employee, or a designated observer provider to inspect any item described at
§ 600.746.
(s) Fish without an observer when the
vessel is required to carry an observer.
(t) Assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with a NMFS-approved observer.
(u)(1) Prohibit or bar by command,
impediment, threat, coercion, interference, or refusal of reasonable assistance, an observer from conducting his
or her duties as an observer; or
(2) Tamper with or destroy samples
or equipment.
(v) The use of any gear or participation in a fishery not on the following
list of authorized fisheries and gear is
prohibited after December 1, 1999. A
fish, regardless whether targeted, may
be retained only if it is taken within a
listed fishery, is taken with a gear authorized for that fishery, and is taken
in conformance with all other applicable regulations. Listed gear can only be
used in a manner that is consistent
with existing laws and regulations. The
list of fisheries and authorized gear
does not, in any way, alter or supersede
any definitions or regulations contained elsewhere in this chapter. A person or vessel is prohibited from engaging in fishing or employing fishing gear
when such fishing gear is prohibited or
restricted by regulation under an FMP
or other applicable law. However, after

103

§ 600.725

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)

December 1, 1999, an individual fisherman may notify the appropriate Council, or the Director, in the case of Atlantic highly migratory species, of the
intent to use a gear or participate in a
fishery not already on the list. Ninety
days after such notification, the indi-

vidual may use the gear or participate
in that fishery unless regulatory action
is taken to prohibit the use of the gear
or participate in the fishery (e.g.,
through emergency or interim regulations). The list of authorized fisheries
and gear is as follows:

Fishery

Authorized gear types

I. New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC)
1. Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery (FMP):
A. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Hand harvest fishery ...............................................................
D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
2. Iceland Scallop Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
3. Atlantic Salmon Fishery (FMP) ............................................................
4. Striped Bass Fishery (Non-FMP) .........................................................
5. Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery (FMP):
A. NE multispecies sink gillnet fishery .........................................
B. North Atlantic bottom trawl fishery ..........................................
C. Groundfish hook and line fishery ............................................
D. Mixed species trap and pot fishery .........................................
E. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
F. Seine fishery ............................................................................
G. Recreational fishery .................................................................
6. American Lobster Fishery (FMP):
A. Lobster pot and trap fishery ....................................................
B. North Atlantic bottom trawl fishery ..........................................
C. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
D. Hand harvest fishery ...............................................................
E. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
7. Atlantic Herring Fishery (FMP):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Purse seine fishery ..................................................................
C. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
D. Herring pair trawl fishery .........................................................
E. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
8. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by MAFMC and
NEFMC):
A. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Hook and line fishery ...............................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Longline fishery ........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
9. Atlantic Bluefish Fishery (FMP managed by MAFMC):
A. Pelagic longline and hook and line fishery ..............................
B. Seine fishery ............................................................................
C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery .........................................
D. Bluefish, croaker, flounder trawl fishery ..................................
E. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
F. Dredge fishery ..........................................................................
G. Recreational fishery .................................................................
10. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Fishery (FMP managed by
the MAFMC):
A. Mackerel, squid, and butterfish trawl fishery ...........................
B. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
C. Longline and hook-and-line fishery .........................................
D. Purse seine fishery ..................................................................
E. Mixed species pot and trap fishery .........................................
F. Dredge fishery ..........................................................................
G. Dip net fishery .........................................................................
H. Bandit gear fishery ..................................................................
I. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
11. Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fishery (FMP managed by the
MAFMC):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................

104

A. Dredge.
B. Trawl.
C. Hand harvest.
D. Hand harvest.
A. Dredge.
B. Trawl.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl.
C. Longline, handline, rod and reel.
D. Trap, pot.
E. Dredge.
F. Seine.
G. Rod and reel, handline, spear.
A. Pot, trap.
B. Trawl.
C. Dredge.
D. Hand harvest.
E. Gillnet.
F. Pot, trap, hand harvest.
A. Trawl.
B. Purse seine.
C. Gillnet.
D. Pair trawl.
E. Dredge.
F. Hook and line, gillnet.

A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl.
C. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
D. Dredge.
E. Longline.
F. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
A. Longline, handline.
B. Purse seine, seine.
C. Pot, trap.
D. Trawl.
E. Gillnet.
F. Dredge.
G. Rod and reel, handline, trap, pot, spear.

A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet.
C. Longline, handline, rod and reel.
D. Purse seine.
E. Pot, trap.
F. Dredge.
G. Dip net.
H. Bandit gear.
I. Rod and reel, handline, pot, spear.

A. Dredge, hand harvest.

Fishery Conservation and Management

§ 600.725

Fishery

Authorized gear types

B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
12. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Purse seine fishery ..................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
D. Commercial hook-and-line fishery ...........................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................
13. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
14. Atlantic Mussel and Sea Urchin Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
B. Hand harvest fishery ................................................................
C. Recreational fishery .................................................................
15. Atlantic Skate Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
C. Hook-and-line fishery ...............................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................
16. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Trap and pot fishery ................................................................
17. Northern Shrimp Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Shrimp trawl fishery .................................................................
B. Shrimp pot fishery ....................................................................
18. Monkfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by NEFMC and MAFMC):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
C. Longline fishery .......................................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Trap and pot fishery ................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
19. Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Fishery (FMP managed by
MAFMC):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Longline and hook and line fishery .........................................
C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery .........................................
D. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
E. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
20. Hagfish Fishery (Non-FMP) ..................................................................
21. Tautog Fishery (Non-FMP): ..................................................................
A. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
B. Pot and trap fishery .................................................................
C. Rod and reel, hook and line fishery ........................................
D. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
E. Spear fishery ............................................................................
F. Fyke net fishery .......................................................................
G. Recreational fishery .................................................................
22. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) ..........................................................

23. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) ...........................................................

24. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP managed by SAFMC) ............................

B. Hand harvest.
A. Purse seine.
B. Trawl.
C. Gillnet.
D. Hook and line.
E. Hook and line, snagging, cast nets.
A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and line.
B. Hook and line, spear.
A. Dredge.
B. Hand harvest.
C. Hand harvest.
A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet.
C. Longline and handline.
D. Dredge.
E. Rod and reel.
A. Dredge.
B. Trawl.
C. Trap, pot.
A. Trawl.
B. Pot.
A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet.
C. Longline.
D. Dredge.
E. Trap, pot.
F. Rod and reel, spear.

A. Trawl.
B. Longline, handline.
C. Pot, trap.
D. Gillnet.
E. Dredge.
F. Rod and reel, handline, pot, trap, spear.
Trap, pot.
A. Gillnet.
B. Pot, trap.
C. Rod and reel, handline, hook and line.
D. Trawl.
E. Spear.
F. Fyke net.
G. Rod and reel, hook and line, handline, spear.
Rod and reel, handline, spear, hook and line, hand
harvest, bandit gear, powerhead, gillnet, cast net,
pot, trap, dip net, bully net, snare.
Trawl, pot, trap, gillnet, pound net, dredge, seine,
handline, longline, hook and line, rod and reel,
hand harvest, purse seine, spear, bandit gear,
powerhead, dip net, bully net, snare, cast net, barrier net, slurp gun, allowable chemicals.
Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic
longline,
rod
and
reel,
spear
(including
powerheads).

II. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)
1. Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Fishery (FMP):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Pelagic longline and hook and line fishery ..............................
C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery .........................................
D. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
E. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
2. Atlantic Bluefish Fishery (FMP):
A. Bluefish, croaker, and flounder trawl fishery ...........................

105

A. Trawl.
B. Longline, handline, rod and reel.
C. Pot, trap.
D. Gillnet.
E. Dredge.
F. Rod and reel, handline, pot, trap, spear.
A. Trawl.

§ 600.725

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)
Fishery

Authorized gear types

B. Pelagic longline and hook and line fishery ..............................
C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery .........................................
D. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
E. Seine fishery ............................................................................
F. Dredge fishery ..........................................................................
G. Recreational fishery .................................................................
3. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery (FMP):
A. Mackerel, squid, and butterfish trawl fishery ...........................
B. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
C. Longline and hook-and-line fishery .........................................
D. Purse seine fishery ..................................................................
E. Mixed species pot and trap fishery .........................................
F. Dredge fishery ..........................................................................
G. Dip net fishery .........................................................................
H. Bandit gear fishery ..................................................................
I. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
4. Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
5. Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery (FMP managed by NEFMC):
A. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Hand harvest fishery ...............................................................
D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
6. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Purse seine fishery ..................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
D. Commercial hook-and-line fishery ...........................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................
7. Striped Bass Fishery (Non-FMP) .........................................................
8. Northern Shrimp Trawl Fishery (Non-FMP) .........................................
9. American Lobster Fishery (FMP managed by NEFMC):
A. Pot and trap fishery .................................................................
B. Hand harvest fishery ................................................................
C. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
10. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
11. Whelk Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Pot and trap fishery .................................................................
C. Dredge .....................................................................................
D. Pound net, gillnet, seine ..........................................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................
12. Monkfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by NEFMC and MAFMC):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Longline fishery ........................................................................
C. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Trap and pot fishery ................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
13. Tilefish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Groundfish hook-and-line fishery .............................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Recreational fishery .................................................................
14. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by MAFMC and
NEFMC):
A. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Hook and line fishery ...............................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Longline fishery ........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
15. Tautog Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
B. Pot and trap fishery .................................................................
C. Rod and reel, hook and line handline fishery .........................
D. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
E. Spear fishery ............................................................................
F. Fyke net fishery .......................................................................

106

B. Longline, handline, bandit gear, rod and reel.
C. Pot, trap.
D. Gillnet.
E. Purse seine, seine.
F. Dredge.
G. Rod and reel, handline, trap, pot, spear.
A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet.
C. Longline, handline, rod and reel.
D. Purse seine.
E. Pot, trap.
F. Dredge.
G. Dip net.
H. Bandit gear.
I. Rod and reel, handline, pot, spear.
A. Dredge, hand harvest.
B. Hand harvest.
A. Dredge.
B. Trawl.
C. Hand harvest.
D. Hand harvest.
A. Purse seine.
B. Trawl.
C. Gillnet.
D. Hook and line.
E. Hook and line, snagging, cast nets.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
Trawl.
A. Pot, trap.
B. Hand harvest.
C. Trawl.
D. Dredge.
E. Gillnet.
F. Pot, trap, hand harvest.
A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and line, rod and reel.
B. Hook and line, spear.
A. Trawl.
B. Pot, trap.
C. Dredge.
D. Pound net, gillnet, seine.
E. Hand harvest.
A. Trawl.
B. Longline, rod and reel.
C. Gillnet.
D. Dredge.
E. Trap and pot.
F. Rod and reel, spear.
A. Longline, handline, rod and fishery reel.
B. Trawl.
C. Rod and reel, spear.

A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl.
C. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
D. Dredge.
E. Longline.
F. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
A. Gillnet.
B. Pot, trap.
C. Rod and reel, hook and line, handline.
D. Trawl.
E. Spear.
F. Fyke net.

Fishery Conservation and Management

§ 600.725

Fishery

Authorized gear types

G. Recreational fishery .................................................................
16. Coastal Gillnet Fishery (Non-FMP) ......................................................
17. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) ..........................................................

G. Rod and reel, handline, hook and line, spear.
Gillnet
Rod and reel, handline, spear, hook and line, hand
harvest, bandit gear, powerhead, gillnet, cast net.

18. NE Multispecies Fishery (FMP managed by NEFMC):
A. NE multispecies sink gillnet fishery .........................................
B. North Atlantic bottom trawl fishery ..........................................
C. Groundfish hook and line ........................................................
D. Mixed species trap and pot fishery .........................................
E. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
F. Seine fishery ............................................................................
G. Recreational fishery .................................................................
19. Atlantic Skate Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
C. Hook-and-line fishery ...............................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................
20. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Trap and pot fishery ................................................................
21. Atlantic Herring Fishery (FMP managed by the NEFMC):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Purse seine fishery ..................................................................
C. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
D. Herring pair trawl fishery .........................................................
E. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
22. South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery (FMP managed by the
SAFMC):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Black sea bass trap and pot fishery ........................................
C. Wreckfish fishery .....................................................................
D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
23. South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery (FMP managed by
the SAFMC):
A. Commercial Spanish mackerel fishery ....................................

24.

25.
26.
27.

B. Commercial king mackerel fishery ..........................................
C. Other commercial coastal migratory pelagics fishery .............
D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
Calico Scallops Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
C. Recreational fishery .................................................................
Sargassum Fishery (Non-FMP) ............................................................
South Atlantic Shrimp Fishery (FMP) ...................................................
Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) ...........................................................

28. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP managed by SAFMC) ............................

A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl.
C. Longline, handline, rod and fishery reel.
D. Trap, pot.
E. Dredge.
F. Seine.
G. Rod and reel, handline, spear.
A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet.
C. Longline and handline.
D. Dredge.
E. Rod and reel.
A. Dredge.
B. Trawl.
C. Trap, pot.
A. Trawl.
B. Purse seine.
C. Gillnet.
D. Pair trawl.
E. Dredge.
F. Hook and line, gillnet.

A. Longline, rod and reel, bandit gear, handline,
spear, powerhead.
B. Pot, trap.
C. Rod and reel, bandit gear, handline.
D. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear, spear,
powerhead.

A. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear, gillnet, cast
net.
B. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear.
C. Longline, handline, rod and reel, bandit gear.
D. Bandit gear, rod and reel, handline, spear.
A. Trawl.
B. Dredge.
C. Hand harvest.
Trawl.
Trawl.
Trawl, pot, trap, gillnet, pound net, dredge, seine,
handline, longline, hook and line, rod and reel,
spear.
Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic
longline,
rod
and
reel,
spear
(including
powerheads).

III. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
1. Golden Crab Fishery (FMP) .................................................................
2. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Trap and pot fishery ................................................................
3. Atlantic Red Drum Fishery (FMP) ........................................................
4. Coral and Coral Reef Fishery (FMP):
A. Octocoral commercial fishery ..................................................
B. Live rock aquaculture fishery ...................................................
5. South Atlantic Shrimp Fishery (FMP) ...................................................
6. South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Black sea bass pot fishery ......................................................
C. Wreckfish fishery .....................................................................

107

Trap.
A. Dredge.
B. Trawl.
C. Trap, pot.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
Hand harvest.
Hand harvest.
Trawl.
A. Longline, rod and reel, bandit gear, handline,
spear, powerhead.
B. Pot.
C. Rod and reel, bandit gear, handline.

§ 600.725

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)
Fishery

Authorized gear types

D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
7. South Atlantic Spiny Lobster Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
8. South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial Spanish mackerel fishery ....................................
B. Commercial king mackerel fishery ..........................................
C. [Reserved].
D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
9. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by NEFMC and
SAFMC):
A. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Hook and line fishery ...............................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Longline fishery ........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
10. Smooth Dogfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Hook and line fishery ...............................................................
D. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
E. Longline fishery ........................................................................
F. Recreational fishery .................................................................
11. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Purse seine fishery ..................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
D. Commercial hook-and-line .......................................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................
12. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Trawl Fishery (Non-FMP) ....
13. Bait Fisheries (Non-FMP) .....................................................................
14. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
15. Whelk Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Pot and trap fishery .................................................................
C. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
16. Marine Life Aquarium Fishery (Non-FMP) ...........................................
17. Calico Scallop Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery .........................................................................
B. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
C. Recreational fishery .................................................................
18. Summer Flounder Fishery (FMP managed by MAFMC):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
19. Bluefish, Croaker, and Flounder Trawl and Gillnet Fishery (Bluefish
FMP managed by MAFMC).
20. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) ...........................................................

21. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) ..........................................................
22. Sargassum Fishery (Non-FMP) ............................................................
23. Octopus Fishery (Non-FMP) ................................................................
24. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP)

25. Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial Fishery .................................................................
B. Recreational Fishery ................................................................

D. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear, spear,
powerhead.
A. Trap, pot, dip net, bully net, snare, hand harvest.
B. Dip net, bully net, snare, hand harvest.
A. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear, gillnet, cast
net.
B. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear.
D. Bandit gear, rod and reel, handline, spear.

A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl.
C. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear, bandit gear.
D. Dredge.
E. Longline.
F. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl.
C. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear, bandit gear.
D. Dredge.
E. Longline.
F. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
A. Purse seine.
B. Trawl.
C. Gillnet.
D. Hook and line fishery.
E. Hook and line, snagging, cast nets.
Trawl.
Purse seine.
A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and line.
B. Hook and line, spear.
A. Trawl.
B. Pot, trap.
C. Dredge.
D. Hand harvest.
Dip net, slurp gun, barrier net, drop net, allowable
chemical, trap, pot, trawl.
A. Dredge.
B. Trawl.
C. Hand harvest.
A. Trawl, longline, handline, rod and reel, pot, trap,
gillnet, dredge.
B. Rod and reel, handline, pot, trap, spear.
Trawl, gillnet.
Trawl, gillnet, longline, handline, hook and line, rod
and reel, bandit gear, cast net, pot, trap, lampara
net, spear.
Rod and reel, handline, spear, hook and line, hand
harvest, bandit gear, powerhead, gillnet, cast net.
Trawl.
Trap, pot.
Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic
longline,
rod
and
reel,
spear
(including
powerheads).
A. Longline, handline, rod and reel, bandit gear,
spear.
B. Bandit gear, rod and reel, handline, spear.

IV. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
1. Gulf of Mexico Red Drum Fishery (FMP) ............................................
2. Coral Reef Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................

108

No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
A. Hand harvest.

Fishery Conservation and Management

§ 600.725

Fishery

Authorized gear types

B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
3. Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery (FMP):
A. Snapper-Grouper reef fish longline and hook and line fishery
B. Other commercial fishery .........................................................
C. Recreational fishery .................................................................
4. Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery (FMP):
A. Gulf of Mexico commercial fishery ..........................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
5. Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery (FMP):
A. Large pelagics longline fishery ................................................
B. King/Spanish mackerel gillnet fishery ......................................
C. Pelagic hook and line fishery ..................................................
D. Pelagic species purse seine fishery ........................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................
Gulf of Mexico Spiny Lobster Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................

6.
7.
8.
9.

C. Recreational fishery .................................................................
Stone Crab Fishery (FMP):
A. Trap and pot fishery ................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
Blue Crab Fishery (Non-FMP) ..............................................................
Golden Crab Fishery (Non-FMP) .........................................................
Mullet Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery ............................................................................
B. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
C. Pair trawl fishery ......................................................................
D. Cast net fishery .......................................................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................

10. Inshore Coastal Gillnet Fishery (Non-FMP) .........................................
11. Octopus Fishery (Non-FMP) ................................................................
12. Marine Life Aquarium Fishery (Non-FMP) ...........................................
13. Coastal Herring Trawl Fishery (Non-FMP) ...........................................
14. Butterfish Trawl Fishery (Non-FMP) .....................................................
15. Gulf of Mexico Groundfish (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
16. Gulf of Mexico Menhaden Purse Seine Fishery (Non-FMP) ...............
17. Sardine Purse Seine Fishery (Non-FMP) ............................................
18. Oyster Fishery (Non-FMP) ...................................................................
19. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) ...........................................................
20. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) ..........................................................

21. Offshore aquaculture (FMP) .................................................................

B. Hand harvest.
A. Longline, handline, bandit gear, rod and reel, buoy
gear.
B. Spear, powerhead, cast net, trawl.
C. Spear, powerhead, bandit gear, handline, rod reel,
cast net.
A. Trawl butterfly net, skimmer, cast net.
B. Trawl.
A. Longline.
B. Gillnet.
C. Bandit gear, handline, rod and reel.
D. Purse seine.
E. Bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, spear.
A. Trap, pot, dip net, bully net, hoop net, trawl, snare,
hand harvest.
C. Dip net, bully net, pot, trap, snare, hand harvest.
A. Trap, pot
B. Trap, pot, hand harvest.
Trap, pot.
Trap.
A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet.
C. Pair trawl.
D. Cast net.
E. Bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, spear, cast
net.
Gillnet.
Trap, pot.
Dip net, slurp gun, barrier net, drop net, allowable
chemical, trap, pot, trawl.
Trawl.
Trawl.
A. Trawl, purse seine, gillnet.
B. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
Purse seine.
Purse seine.
Dredge, tongs.
Trawl, gillnet, hook and line, longline, handline, rod
and reel, bandit gear, cast net, lampara net, spear.
Bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, spear, bully net,
gillnet, dip net, longline, powerhead, seine, slurp
gun, trap, trawl, harpoon, cast net, hoop net, hook
and line, hand harvest.
Cages, net pens

V. Caribbean Fishery Management Council
1. Exclusive Economic Zone around Puerto Rico.
A. Puerto Rico Reef Fish Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
B. Puerto Rico Pelagic Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
C. Puerto Rico Spiny Lobster Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
D. Puerto Rico Coral Reef Resources Fishery (FMP):
E. Puerto Rico Queen Conch Fishery (FMP):
F. Puerto Rico Pelagic Fishery (Non-FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
G. Puerto Rico Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) ........................................

109

i. Automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline,
longline, rod and reel, trap, pot, spear.
ii. Dip net, handline, rod and reel, slurp gun, spear,
trap, pot.
i. Automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline,
longline, rod and reel, gillnet.
ii. Spear, handline, longline, rod and reel.
i. Trap, pot, dip net, hand harvest, snare.
ii. Trap, pot, dip net, hand harvest, snare.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
i. Gillnet, automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear,
handline, longline, rod and reel.
ii. Spear, handline, longline, rod and reel.
Automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline,
longline, rod and reel, trawl, gillnet, cast net, spear.

§ 600.725

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)
Fishery

Authorized gear types

H. Puerto Rico Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) .......................................

Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, longline, rod
and reel, spear, powerhead, hand harvest, cast
net.

2. Exclusive Economic Zone around St. Croix.
A. St. Croix Reef Fish Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
B. St. Croix Pelagic Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
C. St. Croix Spiny Lobster Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
D. St. Croix Coral Reef Resource Fishery (FMP):
E. St. Croix Queen Conch Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
F. St. Croix Pelagic Fishery (Non-FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
G. St. Croix Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) .............................................
H. St. Croix Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) ............................................

3. Exclusive Economic Zone around St. Thomas and St. John.
A. St. Thomas and St. John Reef Fish Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
B. St. Thomas and St. John Pelagic Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
C. St. Thomas and St. John Spiny Lobster Fishery (FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................
ii. Recreational fishery ..................................................................
D. St. Thomas and St. John Coral Reef Resource Fishery (FMP):
E. St. Thomas and St. John Queen Conch Fishery (FMP):
F. St. Thomas and St. John Pelagic Fishery (Non-FMP):
i. Commercial fishery ....................................................................

i. Automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline,
longline, rod and reel, trap, pot, spear.
ii. Dip net, handline, rod and reel, slurp gun, spear,
trap, pot.
i. Gillnet, automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear,
handline, longline, rod and reel.
ii. Spear, handline, longline, rod and reel.
i. Trap, pot, dip net, hand harvest, snare.
ii. Trap, pot, dip net, hand harvest, snare.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
i. Hand harvest.
ii. Hand harvest.
i. Gillnet, automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear,
handline, longline, rod and reel.
ii. Spear, handline, longline, rod and reel.
Automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline,
longline, rod and reel, trawl, gillnet, cast net, spear.
Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, longline, rod
and reel, spear, powerhead, hand harvest, cast
net.

i. Automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline,
longline, rod and reel, trap, pot, spear.
ii. Dip net, handline, rod and reel, slurp gun, spear,
trap, pot.
i. Automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline,
longline, rod and reel, gillnet.
ii. Spear, handline, longline, rod and reel.
i. Trap, pot, dip net, hand harvest, snare.
ii. Trap, pot, dip net, hand harvest, snare.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
No harvest or possession in the EEZ.

i. Gillnet, automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear,
handline, longline, rod and reel.
ii. Recreational fishery .................................................................. ii. Spear, handline, longline, rod and reel.
G. St. Thomas and St. John Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) .................. Automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline,
longline, rod and reel, trawl, gillnet, cast net, spear.
H. St. Thomas and St. John Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) ................. Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, longline, rod
and reel, spear, powerhead, hand harvest, cast
net.
VI. Pacific Fishery Management Council
1. Pacific Coast Salmon Fisheries (FMP):
A. Commercial ..............................................................................
B. Recreational .............................................................................
2. Pacific Coast Groundfish Fisheries (FMP):
A. Commercial ..............................................................................
B. Recreational .............................................................................
3. Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries (FMP):
A. Commercial ..............................................................................
B. Recreational .............................................................................
4. Highly Migratory Species Fisheries (FMP):
A. Commercial ..............................................................................
B. Recreational .............................................................................
5. Pacific Halibut Fisheries (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial ..............................................................................
B. Recreational .............................................................................
6. Dungeness Crab Fisheries (Non-FMP):

110

A. Hook and line.
B. Hook and line.
A. Trawl, hook and line, pot/trap, demersal seine, set
net, spear, and hand collection.
B. Hook and line, spear.
A. Purse seine, lampara net, brail net, dip net, cast
net, hook and line.
B. Hook and line, spear, pot/trap, dip net, cast net,
hand harvest, rake, harpoon, bow and arrow.
A. Hook and line, gillnet, harpoon, purse seine.
B. Hook and line, spear, harpoon, bow and arrow.
A. Hook and line.
B. Hook and line, spear.

Fishery Conservation and Management

§ 600.725

Fishery

Authorized gear types

A. Commercial ..............................................................................
B. Recreational North of 46°15′ N. lat .........................................
C. Recreational South of 46°15′ N. lat. and North of 42° N. lat ..
D. Recreational South of 42° N. lat .............................................
7. Crab Fisheries for Species other than Dungeness crab (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial Pot/Trap Fisheries South of 46°15′ N. lat ...........
B. Recreational North of 46°15′ N. lat .........................................
C. Recreational South of 46°15′ N. lat. and North of 42° N. lat ..
D. Recreational South of 42° N. lat .............................................
8. Shrimp and Prawn Fisheries (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial spot prawn ...........................................................
B. Commercial pink shrimp North of 46°15′ N. lat .......................
C. Commercial pink shrimp South of 46°15′ N. lat ......................
D. Commercial coonstripe shrimp South of 46°15′ N. lat ............
E. Commercial ridgeback prawn South of 42° N. lat ...................
F. Recreational North of 46°15′ N. lat ..........................................
G. Recreational South of 46°15′ N. lat. and North of 42° N. lat
H. Recreational South of 42° N. lat .............................................
9. Hagfish Commercial Fisheries (Non-FMP) ............................................
10. Squid, all spp. except market squid or not otherwise prohibited, and
Octopus Fisheries (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial ..............................................................................
B. Recreational Squid North of 42° N. lat ....................................
C. Recreational Octopus North of 42° N. lat ...............................
D. Recreational South of 42° N. lat .............................................
11. White Sturgeon Fisheries (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial South of 46°15′ N. lat. and North of 42° N. lat ...
B. Recreational North of 42° N. lat ..............................................
C. Recreational South of 42° N. lat .............................................
12. Sea Cucumber Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial hand harvest fishery South of 46°15′ N. lat ........
B. Commercial trawl South of 42° N. lat ......................................
13. Minor Finfish Commercial Fisheries South of 46°15′ N. lat. and North
of 42° N. lat. for: Salmon shark, Pacific pomfret, slender sole, wolf-eel,
eelpout species, Pacific sandfish, skilfish, and walleye pollock Fisheries (Non-FMP).
14. Weathervane Scallop Commercial Fishery South of 46°15′ N. lat.
and North of 42° N. lat. (Non-FMP).
15. California Halibut, White Seabass Commercial Fisheries South of
42° N. lat. (Non-FMP):
A. California halibut trawl .............................................................
B. California halibut and white seabass set net ..........................
C. California halibut hook and line ...............................................
D. White seabass hook and line ..................................................
16. California Barracuda, White Seabass, and Yellowtail Drift-Net Commercial Fishery South of 42° N. lat. (Non-FMP).
17. Pacific Bonito Commercial Net Fishery South of 42° N. lat. (NonFMP).
18. Lobster Commercial Pot and Trap Fishery South of 42° N. lat. (NonFMP).
19. Finfish and Invertebrate Fisheries Not Listed Above and Not Otherwise Prohibited (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial South of 46°15′ N. lat ..........................................
B. Recreational .............................................................................

A. Pot/trap.
B. Pot/trap, dip net, hand harvest.
C. Pot/trap, hook and line, dip net, hand harvest,
rake, crab loop.
D. Pot/trap, hand harvest, hoop net, crab loop.
A. Pot/trap.
B. Pot/trap, dip net, hand harvest.
C. Pot/trap, hook and line, dip net, hand harvest,
rake, crab loop.
D. Pot/trap, hand harvest, hoop net, crab loop.
A. Pot/trap.
B. Trawl.
C. Pot/trap, trawl.
D. Pot/trap.
E. Trawl.
F. Pot/trap, dip net, hand harvest.
G. Pot/trap, hook and line, dip net, hand harvest,
rake.
H. Pot/trap, hand harvest, dip net.
Pot/trap.

A. Hook and line, pot/trap, dip net, seine, trawl, set
net, spear, hand harvest.
B. Hook and line, cast net, dip net, hand harvest.
C. Hook and line, pot/trap, dip net, hand harvest.
D. Hook and line, dip net, hand harvest.
A. Trawl, pot/trap, hook and line, seine, dip net,
spear.
B. Hook and line.
C. Hook and line, spear.
A. Hand harvest.
B. Trawl.
Trawl, pot/trap, hook and line, seine, dipnet, spear.

Trawl.

A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet, trammel net.
C. Hook and line.
D. Hook and line.
Gillnet.
Purse seine.
Pot/trap.

A. Hook and line, pot/trap, spear.
B. Hook and line, spear, pot/trap, dip net, cast net,
hand harvest, rake, harpoon, bow and arrow.

VII. North Pacific Fishery Management Council
1. Alaska Scallop Fishery (FMP) ..............................................................
2. Bering Sea (BS) and Aleutian Islands (AI) King and Tanner Crab
Fishery (FMP):
Pot fishery ....................................................................................
3. Bering Sea (BS) and Aleutian Islands (AI) King and Tanner Crab
Fishery (FMP):
Recreational fishery ......................................................................
4. BS and AI Groundfish Fishery (FMP):
A. Groundfish trawl fishery ...........................................................
B. Bottomfish hook-and-line, and handline fishery ......................
C. Longline fishery .......................................................................

111

Dredge.

Pot.

Pot.
A. Trawl.
B. Hook and line, handline.
C. Longline.

§ 600.725

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)
Fishery

Authorized gear types

D. BS and AI pot and trap fishery ................................................
5. BS and AI Groundfish Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) .....................
6. Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Groundfish Fishery (FMP):
A. Groundfish trawl fishery ...........................................................
B. Bottomfish hook-and-line and handline fishery .......................
C. Longline fishery .......................................................................
D. GOA pot and trap fishery ........................................................
E. Recreational fishery .................................................................
7. Pacific Halibut Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial (IFQ and CDQ) ....................................................
B. Recreational .............................................................................
C. Subsistence .............................................................................

8. Alaska High Seas Salmon Hook and Line Fishery:
(FMP) ............................................................................................
9. Alaska Salmon Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Hook-and-line fishery ...............................................................
B. Gillnet fishery ...........................................................................
C. Purse seine fishery. .................................................................
D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
10. Finfish Purse Seine Fishery (Non-FMP) ..............................................
11. Octopus/Squid Longline Fishery (Non-FMP) .......................................
12. Finfish Handline and Hook-and-line Fishery (Non-FMP) .....................
13. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) ..........................................................
14. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) ...........................................................

D. Pot, trap.
Handline, rod and reel, hook and line, pot, trap.
A. Trawl.
B. Hook and line, handline.
C. Longline.
D. Pot, trap.
E. Handline, rod and reel, hook and line, pot, trap.
A. Hook and line, pot.
B. Single line with no more than 2 hooks attached or
spear.
C. Setline gear and hand held gear of not more than
30 hooks, including longline, handline, rod and reel,
spear, jig, and hand-troll gear.
Hook and line.
A. Hook and line.
B. Gillnet.
C. Purse seine.
D. Handline, rod and reel, hook and line.
Purse seine.
Longline.
Handline, hook and line.
Handline, rod and reel, hook line.
Trawl, gillnet, hook and line, longline, handline, rod
and reel, bandit gear, cast net, spear.

VIII. Western Pacific Fishery Management Council
1. Western Pacific Crustacean Fishery (FMP) (Fishery Ecosystem Plan,
FEP).
2. Western Pacific Crustacean Fishery (Non-FEP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................
C. Charter fishery .........................................................................
3. Western Pacific Precious Corals Fishery (FEP):
A. Tangle net dredge fishery ........................................................
B. Submersible fishery .................................................................
C. Dive fishery ..............................................................................
D. Recreational fishery .................................................................
4. Western Pacific Precious Corals Fishery (Non-FEP) ............................
5. Western Pacific Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fishery (FEP)
A. Bottomfish hook-and-line fishery .............................................
B. Seamount groundfish fishery ...................................................
C. Bottom longline fishery ............................................................
D. Trap fishery ..............................................................................
E. Spear fishery ............................................................................
6. Western Pacific Bottomfish and Seamount Groundfish Fishery (NonFEP):
A. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
B. Recreational fishery .................................................................

C. Charter fishery .........................................................................
7. Western Pacific Pelagics Fishery (FEP):
A. Longline Fishery ......................................................................
B. Hook and line fishery ...............................................................
C. Purse seine fishery ..................................................................
D. Spear fishery ...........................................................................
E. Squid jig fishery .......................................................................
8. Western Pacific Pelagics Fishery (Non-FEP):
A. Recreational fishery .................................................................
B. Commercial fishery ..................................................................
C. Charter fishery .........................................................................

112

Trap, hand harvest, hoop net.

A. Gillnet, hand harvest, hoop net, spear, snare, trap,
trawl.
B. Gillnet, hand harvest, hoop net, spear, snare, trap.
C. Hand harvest, spear.
A. Tangle net dredge.
B. Submersible.
C. Hand harvest.
D. Hand harvest.
Hand harvest, submersible, tangle net dredge.
A. Bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, hook and line,
rod and reel, hand harvest.
B. Longline, trawl.
C. Longline, hook and line.
D. Trap.
E. Spear, powerhead.

A. Bandit gear, buoy gear, gillnet, handline, hookand-line, longline, rod and reel, spear, trap.
B. Bandit gear, buoy gear, Gillnet, handline, hook and
line, longline, rod and reel, spear, trap, slurp gun,
hand harvest.
C. Bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, hook-and-line,
rod and reel, spear.
A. Longline.
B. Bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, hook and line,
rod and reel.
C. Lampara net, purse seine.
D. Spear, powerhead.
E. Squid jig.
A. Bandit gear,
and line, hoop
B. Bandit gear,
and line, hoop
C. Bandit gear,
and line, hoop

buoy gear, dip net, handline, hook
net, powerhead, rod and real, spear.
buoy gear, dip net, handline, hook
net, powerhead, rod and reel, spear.
buoy gear, dip net, handline, hook
net, powerhead, rod and reel, spear.

Fishery Conservation and Management

§ 600.730

Fishery

Authorized gear types

9. Western Pacific Coastal Pelagics Fishery (Non-FEP) ...........................

Bandit gear, buoy gear, dip net, gillnet, handline,
hook and line, hoop net, lampara net, purse seine,
rod and reel, spear.
Bandit gear, hand harvest, hook and line, rod and
reel, spear, trap.
Allowable chemical, barrier net, dip net, gillnet, hand
harvest, seine, slurp gun, trap, spear, rod and reel,
hook and line.
Rod and reel, hook and line, handline, hand harvest,
spear.
Trawl, gillnet, hook and line, longline, handline, rod
and reel, bandit gear, cast net, spear.

10. Western Pacific Squid and Octopus Fishery (Non-FEP) .....................
11. Western Pacific Coral Reef Fishery (Non-FEP) ...................................

12. Recreational Fishery (Non-FEP) ..........................................................
13. Commercial Fishery (Non-FEP) ...........................................................

IX. Secretary of Commerce
1. Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries (FMP):
A. Swordfish handgear fishery .....................................................
B. Swordfish recreational fishery .................................................
C. Pelagic longline fishery ............................................................
D. Shark gillnet fishery .................................................................
E. Shark bottom longline fishery ..................................................
F. Shark handgear fishery ............................................................
G. Shark recreational fishery .......................................................
H. [Reserved].
I. Tuna recreational fishery ..........................................................

J. Tuna handgear fishery .............................................................
K. Tuna harpoon fishery ...............................................................
L. Atlantic billfish recreational fishery ...........................................
M. Tuna green-stick fishery ..........................................................
N. Commercial Caribbean Small Boat Fishery ............................
2. Commercial Fisheries (Non-FMP) ..........................................................

(w) Fail to maintain safe conditions
for the protection of observers including compliance with all U.S. Coast
Guard and other applicable rules, regulations, or statutes applicable to the
vessel and which pertain to safe operation of the vessel.
[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996]
EDITORIAL NOTE: For FEDERAL REGISTER citations affecting § 600.725, see the List of CFR
Sections Affected, which appears in the
Finding Aids section of the printed volume
and at www.govinfo.gov.

§ 600.730 Facilitation of enforcement.
(a) General. The operator of, or any
other person aboard, any fishing vessel
subject to parts 622 through 699 of this
chapter must immediately comply
with instructions and signals issued by
an authorized officer to stop the vessel
and with instructions to facilitate safe
boarding and inspection of the vessel,
its gear, equipment, fishing record
(where applicable), and catch for purposes of enforcing the Magnuson-Ste-

A. Rod and reel, harpoon, handline, bandit gear,
buoy gear, green-stick gear.
B. Rod and reel, handline.
C. Longline.
D. Gillnet
E. Longline.
F. Rod and reel, handline, bandit gear.
G. Rod and reel, handline.
I. Speargun gear (for bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and
skipjack tunas only); Rod and reel, handline (all
tunas); green-stick gear (HMS Charter/Headboat
Category only).
J. Rod and reel, harpoon, handline, bandit gear.
K. Harpoon.
L. Rod and reel.
M. Green-stick gear.
N. Rod and reel, handline, harpoon, bandit gear,
green-stick gear, buoy gear.
Rod and reel, handline, longline, gillnet, harpoon,
bandit gear, purse seine, green-stick gear.

vens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA and this chapter.
(1) For the purposes of this section
‘‘freeboard’’ means the working distance between the top rail of the gunwale of a vessel and the water’s surface. Where cut-outs are provided in
the bulwarks for the purpose of boarding personnel, freeboard means the distance between the threshold of the bulwark cut-out and the water’s surface.
(2) For the purposes of this section,
‘‘pilot ladder’’ means a flexible ladder
constructed and approved to meet the
U.S. Coast Guard standards for pilot
ladders at 46 CFR subpart 163.003 entitled Pilot Ladder.
(b) Communications. (1) Upon being
approached by a USCG vessel or aircraft, or other vessel or aircraft with
an authorized officer aboard, the operator of a fishing vessel must be alert
for communications conveying enforcement instructions.
(2) VHF-FM radiotelephone is the
preferred method for communicating

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§ 600.735

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)

between vessels. If the size of the vessel
and the wind, sea, and visibility conditions allow, a loudhailer may be used
instead of the radio. Hand signals, placards, high frequency radiotelephone, or
voice may be employed by an authorized officer, and message blocks may be
dropped from an aircraft.
(3) If other communications are not
practicable, visual signals may be
transmitted by flashing light directed
at the vessel signaled. USCG units will
normally use the flashing light signal
‘‘L’’ as the signal to stop. In the International Code of Signals, ‘‘L’’ (.–..)
means ‘‘you should stop your vessel instantly.’’ (Period (.) means a short
flash of light; dash (–) means a long
flash of light.)
(4) Failure of a vessel’s operator
promptly to stop the vessel when directed to do so by an authorized officer
using loudhailer, radiotelephone, flashing light signal, or other means constitutes prima facie evidence of the offense of refusal to permit an authorized
officer to board.
(5) The operator of a vessel who does
not understand a signal from an enforcement unit and who is unable to
obtain clarification by loudhailer or
radiotelephone must consider the signal to be a command to stop the vessel
instantly.
(c) Boarding. The operator of a vessel
directed to stop must:
(1) Guard Channel 16, VHF-FM, if so
equipped.
(2) Stop immediately and lay to or
maneuver in such a way as to allow the
authorized officer and his/her party to
come aboard.
(3) Except for fishing vessels with a
freeboard of 4 feet (1.25 m) or less, provide, when requested by an authorized
officer or observer personnel, a pilot
ladder capable of being used for the
purpose of enabling personnel to embark and disembark the vessel safely.
The pilot ladder must be maintained in
good condition and kept clean.
(4) When necessary to facilitate the
boarding or when requested by an authorized officer or observer, provide a
manrope or safety line, and illumination for the pilot ladder.
(5) Take such other actions as necessary to facilitate boarding and to en-

sure the safety of the authorized officer
and the boarding party.
(d) Signals. The following signals, extracted from the International Code of
Signals, may be sent by flashing light
by an enforcement unit when conditions do not allow communications by
loudhailer or radiotelephone. Knowledge of these signals by vessel operators is not required. However, knowledge of these signals and appropriate
action by a vessel operator may preclude the necessity of sending the signal ‘‘L’’ and the necessity for the vessel to stop instantly. (Period (.) means
a short flash of light; dash (-) means a
long flash of light.)
(1) ‘‘AA’’ repeated (.-.-) is the call to
an unknown station. The operator of
the signaled vessel should respond by
identifying the vessel by radiotelephone or by illuminating the vessel’s identification.
(2) ‘‘RY-CY’’ (.-. -.— -.-. -.—) means
‘‘you should proceed at slow speed, a
boat is coming to you.’’ This signal is
normally employed when conditions
allow an enforcement boarding without
the necessity of the vessel being
boarded coming to a complete stop, or,
in some cases, without retrieval of fishing gear which may be in the water.
(3) ‘‘SQ3’’ (... —.- ...—) means ‘‘you
should stop or heave to; I am going to
board you.’’
[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 61
FR 37225, July 17, 1996; 63 FR 7075, Feb. 12,
1998; 73 FR 67809, Nov. 17, 2008; 81 FR 88998,
Dec. 9, 2016]

§ 600.735 Penalties.
Any person committing, or fishing
vessel used in the commission of a violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or
any other statute administered by
NOAA and/or any regulation issued
under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, is
subject to the civil and criminal penalty provisions and civil forfeiture provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
to this section, to 15 CFR part 904
(Civil Procedures), and to other applicable law.
[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63
FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]

§ 600.740 Enforcement policy.
(a) The Magnuson-Stevens Act provides four basic enforcement remedies

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Fishery Conservation and Management
for violations, in ascending order of severity, as follows:
(1) Issuance of a citation (a type of
warning), usually at the scene of the
offense (see 15 CFR part 904, subpart E).
(2) Assessment by the Administrator
of a civil money penalty.
(3) For certain violations, judicial
forfeiture action against the vessel and
its catch.
(4) Criminal prosecution of the owner
or operator for some offenses. It shall
be the policy of NMFS to enforce vigorously and equitably the provisions of
the Magnuson-Stevens Act by utilizing
that form or combination of authorized
remedies best suited in a particular
case to this end.
(b) Processing a case under one remedial form usually means that other
remedies are inappropriate in that
case. However, further investigation or
later review may indicate the case to
be either more or less serious than initially considered, or may otherwise reveal that the penalty first pursued is
inadequate to serve the purposes of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act. Under such circumstances, the Agency may pursue
other remedies either in lieu of or in
addition to the action originally taken.
Forfeiture of the illegal catch does not
fall within this general rule and is considered in most cases as only the initial step in remedying a violation by
removing the ill-gotten gains of the offense.
(c) If a fishing vessel for which a permit has been issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act is used in the commission of an offense prohibited by section
307 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
NOAA may impose permit sanctions,
whether or not civil or criminal action
has been undertaken against the vessel
or its owner or operator. In some cases,
the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires
permit sanctions following the assessment of a civil penalty or the imposition of a criminal fine. In sum, the
Magnuson-Stevens Act treats sanctions
against the fishing vessel permit to be
the carrying out of a purpose separate
from that accomplished by civil and
criminal penalties against the vessel or
its owner or operator.
[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63
FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]

§ 600.745
§ 600.745 Scientific research activity,
exempted fishing, and exempted
educational activity.
(a) Scientific research activity. Nothing
in this part is intended to inhibit or
prevent any scientific research activity
conducted by a scientific research vessel. Persons planning to conduct scientific research activities on board a
scientific research vessel in the EEZ or
on the high seas are encouraged to submit to the appropriate Regional Administrator or Director, 60 days or as
soon as practicable prior to its start, a
scientific research plan for each scientific activity. The Regional Administrator or Director will acknowledge notification of scientific research activity by issuing to the operator or master of that vessel, or to the sponsoring
institution, a Letter of Acknowledgment. This Letter of Acknowledgment
is separate and distinct from any permit or consultation required by the
MMPA, the ESA, or any other applicable law. The Regional Administrator or
Director will include text in the Letter
of Acknowledgment informing the applicant that such a permit may be required and should be obtained from the
agency prior to embarking on the activity. If the Regional Administrator
or Director, after review of a research
plan, determines that it does not constitute scientific research but rather
fishing, the Regional Administrator or
Director will inform the applicant as
soon as practicable and in writing. In
making this determination, the Regional Administrator, Director, or designee shall consider: the merits of the
individual proposal and the institution(s) involved; whether the proposed
activity meets the definition of scientific research activity; and whether
the vessel meets all the requirements
for a scientific research vessel. The Regional Administrator or Director may
also make recommendations to revise
the research plan to ensure the activity will be considered to be scientific
research activity or recommend the applicant request an EFP. The Regional
Administrator or Director may designate a Science and Research Director, or the Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, to receive scientific research plans and
issue Letters of Acknowledgment. In

115

§ 600.745

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)

order to facilitate identification of the
activity as scientific research, persons
conducting scientific research activities are advised to carry a copy of the
scientific research plan and the Letter
of Acknowledgment on board the scientific research vessel and to make it
available for inspection upon the request of any authorized officer. It is
recommended that for any scientific
research activity, any fish, or parts
thereof, retained pursuant to such activity be accompanied, during any exvessel activities, by a copy of the Letter of Acknowledgment. Activity conducted in accordance with a scientific
research plan acknowledged by such a
Letter of Acknowledgment is presumed
to be scientific research activity. An
authorized officer may overcome this
presumption by showing that an activity does not fit the definition of scientific research activity or is outside
the scope of the scientific research
plan.
(b) Exempted fishing—(1) General. A
NMFS Regional Administrator or Director may authorize, for limited testing, public display, data collection, exploratory fishing, compensation fishing, conservation engineering, health
and safety surveys, environmental
cleanup, and/or hazard removal purposes, the target or incidental harvest
of species managed under an FMP or
fishery regulations that would otherwise be prohibited. Exempted fishing
may not be conducted unless authorized by an EFP issued by a Regional
Administrator or Director in accordance with the criteria and procedures
specified in this section. Compensation
fishing must be conducted under an
EFP if the activity would otherwise be
prohibited by applicable regulations
unless the activity is specifically authorized under an FMP or a scientific
research permit. Conservation engineering that does not meet the definition of scientific research activity, but
does meet the definition of fishing
must be conducted under an EFP if the
activity would otherwise be prohibited
by applicable regulations. Data collection designed to capture and land quantities of fish for product development,
market research, and/or public display
must be permitted under exempted
fishing procedures. An EFP exempts a

vessel only from those regulations
specified in the EFP. All other applicable regulations remain in effect. The
Regional Administrator or Director
may charge a fee to recover the administrative expenses of issuing an EFP.
The amount of the fee will be calculated, at least annually, in accordance with procedures of the NOAA
Handbook for determining administrative costs of each special product or
service; the fee may not exceed such
costs. Persons may contact the appropriate Regional Administrator or Director to determine the applicable fee.
(2) Application. An applicant for an
EFP shall submit a completed application package to the appropriate Regional Administrator or Director, as
soon as practicable and at least 60 days
before the desired effective date of the
EFP. Submission of an EFP application less than 60 days before the desired effective date of the EFP may result in a delayed effective date because
of review requirements. The application package must include payment of
any required fee as specified by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, and a written application that includes, but is
not limited to, the following information:
(i) The date of the application.
(ii) The applicant’s name, mailing address, and telephone number.
(iii) A statement of the purposes and
goals of the exempted fishery for which
an EFP is needed, including justification for issuance of the EFP.
(iv) For each vessel to be covered by
the EFP, as soon as the information is
available and before operations begin
under the EFP:
(A) A copy of the USCG documentation, state license, or registration of
each vessel, or the information contained on the appropriate document.
(B) The current name, address, and
telephone number of the owner and
master, if not included on the document provided for the vessel.
(v) The species (target and incidental) expected to be harvested under
the EFP, the amount(s) of such harvest
necessary to conduct the exempted
fishing, the arrangements for disposition of all regulated species harvested
under the EFP, and any anticipated
impacts on the environment, including

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Fishery Conservation and Management
impacts on fisheries, marine mammals,
threatened or endangered species, and
EFH.
(vi) For each vessel covered by the
EFP, the approximate time(s) and
place(s) fishing will take place, and the
type, size, and amount of gear to be
used.
(vii) The signature of the applicant.
(viii) The Regional Administrator or
Director, as appropriate, may request
from an applicant additional information necessary to make the determinations required under this section. An
incomplete application or an application for which the appropriate fee has
not been paid will not be considered
until corrected in writing and the fee
paid. An applicant for an EFP need not
be the owner or operator of the vessel(s) for which the EFP is requested.
(3) Issuance. (i) The Regional Administrator or Director, as appropriate,
will review each application and will
make a preliminary determination
whether the application contains all of
the required information and constitutes an activity appropriate for further consideration. If the Regional Administrator or Director finds that any
application does not warrant further
consideration, both the applicant and
the affected Council(s) will be notified
in writing of the reasons for the decision. If the Regional Administrator or
Director determines that any application warrants further consideration,
notification of receipt of the application will be published in the FEDERAL
REGISTER with a brief description of
the proposal. Interested persons will be
given a 15- to 45-day opportunity to
comment on the notice of receipt of the
EFP application. In addition, comments may be requested during public
testimony at a Council meeting. If the
Council intends to take comments on
EFP applications at a Council meeting,
it must include a statement to this effect in the Council meeting notice and
meeting agenda. Multiple applications
for EFPs may be published in the same
FEDERAL REGISTER document and may
be discussed under a single Council
agenda item. The notification may establish a cut-off date for receipt of additional applications to participate in
the same, or a similar, exempted fishing activity. The Regional Adminis-

§ 600.745
trator or Director will also forward
copies of the application to the Council(s), the U.S. Coast Guard, and the
appropriate fishery management agencies of affected states, accompanied by
the following information:
(A) The effect of the proposed EFP on
the target and incidental species, including the effect on any TAC.
(B) A citation of the regulation or
regulations that, without the EFP,
would prohibit the proposed activity.
(C) Biological information relevant
to the proposal, including appropriate
statements of environmental impacts,
including impacts on fisheries, marine
mammals, threatened or endangered
species, and EFH.
(ii) If the application is complete and
warrants additional consultation, the
Regional Administrator or Director
may consult with the appropriate
Council(s) concerning the permit application during the period in which comments have been requested. The Council(s) or the Regional Administrator or
Director shall notify the applicant in
advance of any public meeting at which
the application will be considered, and
offer the applicant the opportunity to
appear in support of the application.
(iii) As soon as practicable after receiving a complete application, including all required analyses and consultations (e.g., NEPA, EFH, ESA and
MMPA), and having received responses
from the public, the agencies identified
in paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section,
and/or after the consultation, if any,
described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this
section, the Regional Administrator or
Director shall issue the EFP or notify
the applicant in writing of the decision
to deny the EFP and the reasons for
the denial. Grounds for denial of an
EFP include, but are not limited to,
the following:
(A) The applicant has failed to disclose material information required, or
has made false statements as to any
material fact, in connection with his or
her application; or
(B) According to the best scientific
information available, the harvest to
be conducted under the permit would
detrimentally affect the well-being of
the stock of any regulated species of
fish, marine mammal, threatened or
endangered species, or EFH; or

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50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)

(C) Issuance of the EFP would have
economic allocation as its sole purpose
(other than compensation fishing); or
(D) Activities to be conducted under
the EFP would be inconsistent with
the intent of this section, the management objectives of the FMP, or other
applicable law; or
(E) The applicant has failed to demonstrate a valid justification for the
permit; or
(F) The activity proposed under the
EFP could create a significant enforcement problem.
(iv) The decision of a Regional Administrator or Director to grant or
deny an EFP is the final action of
NMFS. If the permit, as granted, is significantly different from the original
application, or is denied, NMFS may
publish notification in the FEDERAL
REGISTER describing the exempted fishing to be conducted under the EFP or
the reasons for denial.
(v) The Regional Administrator or
Director should attach, as applicable,
terms and conditions to the EFP, consistent with the purpose of the exempted fishing and as otherwise necessary
for the conservation and management
of the fishery resources and the marine
environment, including, but not limited to:
(A) The maximum amount of each
regulated species that can be harvested
and landed during the term of the EFP,
including trip limitations, where appropriate.
(B) The number, size(s), name(s), and
identification number(s) of the vessel(s) authorized to conduct fishing activities under the EFP.
(C) A citation of the regulations from
which the vessel is exempted.
(D) The time(s) and place(s) where
exempted fishing may be conducted.
(E) The type, size, and amount of
gear that may be used by each vessel
operated under the EFP.
(F) Whether observers, a vessel monitoring system, or other electronic
equipment must be carried on board
vessels operating under the EFP, and
any necessary conditions, such as
predeployment notification requirements.
(G) Data reporting requirements necessary to document the activities, including catches and incidental catches,

and to determine compliance with the
terms and conditions of the EFP and
established time frames and formats
for submission of the data to NMFS.
(H) Other conditions as may be necessary to assure compliance with the
purposes of the EFP, consistent with
the objectives of the FMP and other
applicable law.
(I) Provisions for public release of
data obtained under the EFP that are
consistent with NOAA confidentiality
of statistics procedures at set out in
subpart E. An applicant may be required to waive the right to confidentiality of information gathered while
conducting exempted fishing as a condition of an EFP.
(4) Acknowledging permit conditions.
Upon receipt of an EFP, the permit
holder must date and sign the permit,
and retain the permit on board the vessel(s). The permit is not valid until
signed by the permit holder. In signing
the permit, the permit holder:
(i) Agrees to abide by all terms and
conditions set forth in the permit, and
all restrictions and relevant regulations; and
(ii) Acknowledges that the authority
to conduct certain activities specified
in the permit is conditional and subject
to authorization and revocation by the
Regional Administrator or Director.
(5) Duration. Unless otherwise specified in the EFP or a superseding notice
or regulation, an EFP is valid for no
longer than 1 year. EFPs may be renewed following the application procedures in this section.
(6) Alteration. Any permit that has
been altered, erased, or mutilated is invalid.
(7) Inspection. Any EFP issued under
this section must be carried on board
the vessel(s) for which it was issued.
The EFP must be presented for inspection upon request of any authorized officer. Any fish, or parts thereof, retained pursuant to an EFP issued
under this paragraph must be accompanied, during any ex-vessel activities,
by a copy of the EFP.
(8) Inspection. Any EFP issued under
this section must be carried on board
the vessel(s) for which it was issued.
The EFP must be presented for inspection upon request of any authorized officer.

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Fishery Conservation and Management
(9) Sanctions. Failure of a permittee
to comply with the terms and conditions of an EFP may be grounds for
revocation, suspension, or modification
of the EFP with respect to all persons
and vessels conducting activities under
the EFP. Any action taken to revoke,
suspend, or modify an EFP for enforcement purposes will be governed by 15
CFR part 904, subpart D.
(c) Reports. (1) NMFS requests that
persons conducting scientific research
activities from scientific research vessels submit a copy of any report or
other publication created as a result of
the activity, including the amount,
composition, and disposition of their
catch, to the appropriate Science and
Research Director and Regional Administrator or Director.
(2) Upon completion of the activities
of the EFP, or periodically as required
by the terms and conditions of the
EFP, persons fishing under an EFP
must submit a report of their catches
and any other information required, to
the appropriate Regional Administrator or Director, in the manner and
within the time frame specified in the
EFP, but no later than 6 months after
concluding the exempted fishing activity. Persons conducting EFP activities
are also requested to submit a copy of
any publication prepared as a result of
the EFP activity.
(d) Exempted educational activities—(1)
General. A NMFS Regional Administrator or Director may authorize, for
educational purposes, the target or incidental harvest of species managed
under an FMP or fishery regulations
that would otherwise be prohibited.
The trade, barter or sale of fish taken
under this authorization is prohibited.
The decision of a Regional Administrator or Director to grant or deny an
exempted educational activity authorization is the final action of NMFS. Exempted educational activities may not
be conducted unless authorized in writing by a Regional Administrator or Director in accordance with the criteria
and procedures specified in this section. Such authorization will be issued
without charge.
(2) Application. An applicant for an
exempted educational activity authorization shall submit to the appropriate
Regional Administrator or Director, at

§ 600.745
least 15 days before the desired effective date of the authorization, a written application that includes, but is
not limited to, the following information:
(i) The date of the application.
(ii) The applicant’s name, mailing address, and telephone number.
(iii) A brief statement of the purposes
and goals of the exempted educational
activity for which authorization is requested, including a general description of the arrangements for disposition of all species collected.
(iv) Evidence that the sponsoring institution is a valid educational institution, such as accreditation by a recognized national or international accreditation body.
(v) The scope and duration of the activity.
(vi) For each vessel to be covered by
the authorization:
(A) A copy of the U.S. Coast Guard
documentation, state license, or registration of the vessel, or the information contained on the appropriate document.
(B) The current name, address, and
telephone number of the owner and
master, if not included on the document provided for the vessel.
(vii) The species and amounts expected to be caught during the exempted educational activity, and any anticipated impacts on the environment, including impacts on fisheries, marine
mammals, threatened or endangered
species, and EFH.
(viii) For each vessel covered by the
authorization, the approximate time(s)
and place(s) fishing will take place, and
the type, size, and amount of gear to be
used.
(ix) The signature of the applicant.
(x) The Regional Administrator or
Director may request from an applicant additional information necessary
to make the determinations required
under this section. An incomplete application will not be considered until
corrected in writing.
(3) Issuance. (i) The Regional Administrator or Director, as appropriate,
will review each application and will
make a determination whether the application contains all of the required
information, is consistent with the
goals, objectives, and requirements of

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§ 600.746

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)

the FMP or regulations and other applicable law, and constitutes a valid exempted educational activity. The applicant will be notified in writing of
the decision within 5 working days of
receipt of the application.
(ii) The Regional Administrator or
Director should attach, as applicable,
terms and conditions to the authorization, consistent with the purpose of the
exempted educational activity and as
otherwise necessary for the conservation and management of the fishery resources and the marine environment,
including, but not limited to:
(A) The maximum amount of each
regulated species that may be harvested.
(B) A citation of the regulations from
which the vessel is being exempted.
(C) The time(s) and place(s) where
the exempted educational activity may
be conducted.
(D) The type, size, and amount of
gear that may be used by each vessel
operated under the authorization.
(E) Data reporting requirements necessary to document the activities and
to determine compliance with the
terms and conditions of the exempted
educational activity.
(F) Such other conditions as may be
necessary to assure compliance with
the purposes of the authorization, consistent with the objectives of the FMP
or regulations.
(G) Provisions for public release of
data obtained under the authorization,
consistent with NOAA confidentiality
of statistics procedures in subpart E.
An applicant may be required to waive
the right to confidentiality of information gathered while conducting exempted educational activities as a condition of the authorization.
(iii) The authorization will specify
the scope of the authorized activity
and will include, at a minimum, the
duration, vessel(s), persons, species,
and gear involved in the activity, as
well as any additional terms and conditions
specified
under
paragraph
(d)(3)(ii) of this section.
(4) Duration. Unless otherwise specified, authorization for an exempted
educational activity is effective for no
longer than 1 year, unless revoked, suspended, or modified. Authorizations

may be renewed following the application procedures in this section.
(5) Alteration. Any authorization that
has been altered, erased, or mutilated
is invalid.
(6) Transfer. Authorizations issued
under this paragraph (d) are not transferable or assignable.
(7) Inspection. Any authorization
issued under this paragraph (d) must be
carried on board the vessel(s) for which
it was issued, or be in the possession of
at least one of the persons identified in
the authorization, who must be present
while the exempted educational activity is being conducted. The authorization must be presented for inspection
upon request of any authorized officer.
Activities that meet the definition of
‘‘fishing,’’ despite an educational purpose, are fishing. An authorization may
allow covered fishing activities; however, fishing activities conducted outside the scope of an authorization for
exempted educational activities are illegal. Any fish, or parts thereof, retained pursuant to an authorization
issued under this paragraph must be
accompanied, during any ex-vessel activities, by a copy of the authorization.
(e) Observers. NMFS-sanctioned observers or biological technicians conducting activities within NMFS-approved sea sampling and/or observer
protocols are exempt from the requirement to obtain an EFP. For purposes
of this section, NMFS-sanctioned observers or biological technicians include NMFS employees, NMFS observers, observers who are employees of
NMFS-contracted observer providers,
and observers who are employees of
NMFS-permitted observer providers.
[61 FR 32540, June 24, 1996, as amended at 63
FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998; 74 FR 42794, Aug. 25,
2009; 80 FR 62500, Oct. 16, 2015]

§ 600.746

Observers.

(a) Applicability. This section applies
to any fishing vessel required to carry
an observer as part of a mandatory observer program or carrying an observer
as part of a voluntary observer program under the Magnuson-Stevens Act,
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the ATCA
(16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.), the South Pacific
Tuna Act of 1988 (16 U.S.C. 973 et seq.),
or any other U.S. law.

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(b) Observer safety. An observer will
not be deployed on, or stay aboard, a
vessel that is inadequate for observer
deployment as described in paragraph
(c) of this section.
(c) Vessel inadequate for observer deployment. A vessel is inadequate for observer deployment if it:
(1) Does not comply with the applicable regulations regarding observer accommodations (see 50 CFR parts 229,
285, 300, 600, 622, 635, 648, 660, and 679),
or
(2) Has not passed a USCG Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination, or for vessels less than 26 ft (8 m)
in length, has not passed an alternate
safety equipment examination, as described in paragraph (g) of this section.
(d) Display or show proof. A vessel
that has passed a USCG Commercial
Fishing Vessel Safety Examination
must display or show proof of a valid
USCG Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination decal that certifies
compliance with regulations found in
33 CFR Chapter 1 and 46 CFR Chapter 1,
and which was issued within the last 2
years or at a time interval consistent
with current USCG regulations or policy.
(1) In situations of mitigating circumstances, which may prevent a vessel from displaying a valid safety decal
(broken window, etc.), NMFS, the observer, or NMFS’ designated observer
provider may accept the following associated documentation as proof of the
missing safety decal described in paragraph (d) of this section:
(i) A certificate of compliance issued
pursuant to 46 CFR 28.710;
(ii) A certificate of inspection pursuant to 46 U.S.C. 3311; or
(iii) For vessels not required to obtain the documents identified in
(d)(1)(i) and (d)(1)(ii) of this section, a
dockside examination report form indicating the decal number and date and
place of issue.
(e) Visual inspection. Upon request by
an observer, a NMFS employee, or a
designated observer provider, a vessel
owner or operator must provide correct
information concerning any item relating to any safety or accommodation requirement prescribed by law or regulation, in a manner and according to a
timeframe as directed by NMFS. A ves-

§ 600.746
sel owner or operator must also allow
an observer, a NMFS employee, or a
designated observer provider to visually examine any such item.
(f) Vessel safety check. Prior to the
initial deployment, the vessel owner or
operator or the owner or operator’s
designee must accompany the observer
in a walk through the vessel’s major
spaces to ensure that no obviously hazardous conditions exist. This action
may be a part of the vessel safety orientation to be provided by the vessel to
the observer as required by 46 CFR
28.270. The vessel owner or operator or
the owner or operator’s designee must
also accompany the observer in checking the following major items as required by applicable USCG regulations:
(1) Personal flotation devices/ immersion suits;
(2) Ring buoys;
(3) Distress signals;
(4) Fire extinguishing equipment;
(5) Emergency position indicating
radio beacon (EPIRB), when required,
shall be registered to the vessel at its
documented homeport;
(6) Survival craft, when required,
with sufficient capacity to accommodate the total number of persons, including the observer(s), that will embark on the voyage; and
(7) Other fishery-area and vessel specific items required by the USCG.
(g) Alternate safety equipment examination. If a vessel is under 26 ft (8 m) in
length, and in a remote location, and
NMFS has determined that the USCG
cannot provide a USCG Commercial
Fishing Vessel Safety Examination due
to unavailability of inspectors or to
unavailability of transportation to or
from an inspection station, the vessel
will be adequate for observer deployment if it passes an alternate safety
equipment examination conducted by a
NMFS certified observer, observer provider, or a NMFS observer program employee, using a checklist of USCG safety requirements for commercial fishing
vessels under 26 ft (8 m) in length. Passage of the alternative examination
will only be effective for the single trip
selected for observer coverage.
(h) Duration. The vessel owner or operator is required to comply with the
requirements of this section when the
vessel owner or operator is notified

121

§ 600.747

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)

orally or in writing by an observer, a
NMFS employee, or a designated observer provider, that his or her vessel
has been selected to carry an observer.
The requirements of this section continue to apply through the time of the
observer’s boarding, at all times the
observer is aboard, and at the time the
observer disembarks from the vessel at
the end of the observed trip.
(i) Effect of inadequate status. A vessel
that would otherwise be required to
carry an observer, but is inadequate for
the purposes of carrying an observer,
as described in paragraph (c) of this
section, and for allowing operation of
normal observer functions, is prohibited from fishing without observer coverage.
[63 FR 27217, May 18, 1998, as amended at 67
FR 64312, Oct. 18, 2002; 72 FR 61818, Nov. 1,
2007]

§ 600.747 Guidelines and procedures
for determining new fisheries and
gear.
(a) General. Section 305(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires the Secretary to prepare a list of all fisheries
under the authority of each Council, or
the Director in the case of Atlantic
highly migratory species, and all gear
used in such fisheries. This section contains guidelines in paragraph (b) for determining when fishing gear or a fishery is sufficiently different from those
listed in § 600.725(v) as to require notification of a Council or the Director in
order to use the gear or participate in
the unlisted fishery. This section also
contains procedures in paragraph (c)
for notification of a Council or the Director of potentially new fisheries or
gear, and for amending the list of fisheries and gear.
(b) Guidelines. The following guidance
establishes the basis for determining
when fishing gear or a fishery is sufficiently different from those listed to
require notification of the appropriate
Council or the Director.
(1) The initial step in the determination of whether a fishing gear or fishery is sufficiently different to require
notification is to compare the gear or
fishery in question to the list of authorized
fisheries
and
gear
in
§ 600.725(v) and to the existing gear definitions in § 600.10.

(2) If the gear in question falls within
the bounds of a definition in § 600.10 for
an allowable gear type within that
fishery, as listed under § 600.725(v), then
the gear is not considered different, is
considered allowable gear, and does not
require notification of the Council or
Secretary 90 days before it can be used
in that fishery.
(3) If, for any reason, the gear is not
consistent with a gear definition for a
listed fishery as described in paragraph
(b)(2) of this section, the gear is considered different and requires Council or
Secretarial notification as described in
paragraph (c) of this section 90 days before it can be used in that fishery.
(4) If a fishery falls within the bounds
of the list of authorized fisheries and
gear in § 600.725(v) under the Council’s
or Secretary’s authority, then the fishery is not considered different, is considered an allowable fishery and does
not require notification of the Council
or Director before that fishery can
occur.
(5) If a fishery is not already listed in
the list of authorized fisheries and gear
in § 600.725(v), then the fishery is considered different and requires notification as described in paragraph (c) of
this section 90 days before it can occur.
(c) Procedures. If a gear or fishery
does not appear on the list in
§ 600.725(v), or if the gear is different
from that defined in § 600.10, the process for notification, and consideration
by a Council or the Director, is as follows:
(1) Notification. After July 26, 1999, no
person or vessel may employ fishing
gear or engage in a fishery not included
on the list of approved gear types in
§ 600.725(v) without notifying the appropriate Council or the Director at least
90 days before the intended use of that
gear.
(2) Notification procedures. (i) A signed
return receipt for the notice serves as
adequate evidence of the date that the
notification was received by the appropriate Council or the Director, in the
case of Atlantic highly migratory species, and establishes the beginning of
the 90-day notification period, unless
required information in the notification is incomplete.
(ii) The notification must include:

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Fishery Conservation and Management
(A) Name, address, and telephone
number of the person submitting the
notification.
(B) Description of the gear.
(C) The fishery or fisheries in which
the gear is or will be used.
(D) A diagram and/or photograph of
the gear, as well as any specifications
and dimensions necessary to define the
gear.
(E) The season(s) in which the gear
will be fished.
(F) The area(s) in which the gear will
be fished.
(G) The anticipated bycatch species
associated with the gear, including protected species, such as marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds, or species
listed as endangered or threatened
under the ESA.
(H) How the gear will be deployed and
fished, including the portions of the
marine environment where the gear
will be deployed (surface, midwater,
and bottom).
(iii) Failure to submit complete and
accurate information will result in a
delay in beginning the 90-day notification period. The 90-day notification period will not begin until the information received is determined to be accurate and complete.
(3) Action upon receipt of notification—
(i) Species other than Atlantic Highly Migratory Species. (A) Upon signing a return receipt of the notification by certified mail regarding an unlisted fishery or gear, a Council must immediately begin consideration of the notification and send a copy of the notification to the appropriate Regional Administrator.
(B) If the Council finds that the use
of an unlisted gear or participation in
a new fishery would not compromise
the effectiveness of conservation and
management efforts, it shall:
(1) Recommend to the RA that the
list be amended;
(2) Provide rationale and supporting
analysis, as necessary, for proper consideration of the proposed amendment;
and
(3) Provide a draft proposed rule for
notifying the public of the proposed addition, with a request for comment.
(C) If the Council finds that the proposed gear or fishery will be detrimental to conservation and manage-

§ 600.747
ment efforts, it will recommend to the
RA that the authorized list of fisheries
and gear not be amended, that a proposed rule not be published, give reasons for its recommendation of a disapproval, and may request NMFS to
publish emergency or interim regulations, and begin preparation of an FMP
or amendment to an FMP, if appropriate.
(D) After considering information in
the notification and Council’s recommendation,
NMFS
will
decide
whether to publish a proposed rule. If
information on the new gear or fishery
being considered indicates it is likely
that it will compromise conservation
and management efforts under the
Magnuson-Stevens Act, and no additional new information is likely to be
gained from a public comment period,
then a proposed rule will not be published and NMFS will notify the appropriate Council. In such an instance,
NMFS will publish emergency or interim regulations to prohibit or restrict use of the gear or participation
in the fishery. If NMFS determines
that the proposed amendment is not
likely to compromise conservation and
management efforts under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS will publish a
proposed rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER
with a request for public comment.
(ii) Atlantic Highly Migratory Species.
(A) Upon signing a return receipt of the
notification by certified mail regarding
an unlisted fishery or gear for Atlantic
highly migratory species (HMS), NMFS
will immediately begin consideration
of the notification.
(B) Based on information in the notification and submitted by the Council,
NMFS will make a determination
whether the use of an unlisted gear or
participation in an unlisted HMS fishery will compromise the effectiveness
of conservation and management efforts under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
If it is determined that the proposed
amendment will not compromise conservation and management efforts,
NMFS will publish a proposed rule.
(C) If NMFS finds that the proposed
gear or fishery will be detrimental to
conservation and management efforts
in this initial stage of review, it will
not publish a proposed rule and notify

123

§ 600.748

50 CFR Ch. VI (10–1–23 Edition)

the applicant of the negative determination with the reasons therefor.
(4) Final determination and publication
of a final rule. Following public comment, NMFS will approve or disapprove
the amendment to the list of gear and
fisheries.
(i) If approved, NMFS will publish a
final rule in the FEDERAL REGISTER and
notify the applicant and the Council, if
appropriate, of the final approval.
(ii) If disapproved, NMFS will withdraw the proposed rule, notify the applicant and the Council, if appropriate,
of the disapproval; publish emergency
or interim regulations, if necessary, to
prohibit or restrict the use of gear or
the participation in a fishery; and either notify the Council of the need to
amend an FMP or prepare an amendment to an FMP in the case of Atlantic
highly migratory species.

ized, or has applied to be authorized, to
deploy observers or monitors at-sea or
shoreside.
(5) Excess or umbrella coverage ($2
million any one occurrence).
(c) Scope of coverages. Coverage must
extend to injury, liability, and accidental death during the period of employment, including training, of observers or monitors at-sea or shoreside.
(d) Combined coverage amounts. Coverage amounts specified for Marine
General Liability and Marine Employers Liability may be higher or lower
for each respective policy so long as
the combined coverage for these policies is $2 million.
[87 FR 54909, Sept. 8, 2022]

Subpart I—Fishery Negotiation
Panels

[64 FR 4043, Jan. 27, 1999]

§ 600.748 National Minimum Observer
Provider Insurance Standard.
(a) Applicability. As part of regulations for observer provider companies
to obtain approval or a permit to deploy a person in any mandatory or voluntary observer program, or regulations that specify approved or permitted observer provider responsibilities, NMFS must reference and ensure
compliance with the following national
minimum insurance standard.
(b) Policies and Coverage Amounts. (1)
Marine General Liability ($1 million
any one occurrence or as provided
under paragraph (d) of this section).
(2) Marine Employers Liability ($1
million any one occurrence or as provided under paragraph (d) of this section) for an observer provider that is
authorized, or has applied to be authorized, to deploy observers or monitors
at-sea.
(3) State workers’ compensation as
required by each state in which the observer provider is authorized, or has
applied to be authorized, to deploy observers or monitors at-sea or shoreside.
(4) U.S. Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act coverage, either as a standalone policy or as a state workers’
compensation policy endorsement, if
that policy or a policy endorsement is
required by the respective state(s) in
which the observer provider is author-

SOURCE: 62 FR 23669, May 1, 1997, unless
otherwise noted.

§ 600.750

Definitions.

Consensus means unanimous concurrence among the members on a Fishery
Negotiation Panel established under
this rule, unless such Panel:
(1) Agrees to define such term to
mean a general but not unanimous concurrence; or
(2) agrees upon another specified definition.
Fishery negotiation panel (FNP) means
an advisory committee established by
one or more Councils or the Secretary
in accordance with these regulations to
assist in the development of fishery
conservation and management measures.
Interest means, with respect to an
issue or matter, multiple parties that
have a similar point of view or that are
likely to be affected in a similar manner.
Report means a document submitted
by an FNP in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
[62 FR 23669, May 1, 1997, as amended at 63
FR 7075, Feb. 12, 1998]

§ 600.751 Determination of need for a
fishery negotiation panel.
A Council or NMFS may establish an
FNP to assist in the development of

124