Title 50

SECTION 697.23

697.23 Restricted gear areas.

§ 697.23 Restricted gear areas.

(a) Resolution of lobster gear conflicts with fisheries managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Act shall be done under provisions of § 648.55 of this chapter.

(b) Restricted Gear Area I - (1) Duration - (i) Mobile Gear. From October 1 through June 15 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be, in Restricted Gear Area I, as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.

(ii) Lobster trap gear. From June 16 through September 30 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area I as defined in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area I. Restricted Gear Area I is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Inshore Boundary

Point to	Latitude	Longitude
120	40°06.4′ N.	68°35.8′ W.
69	40°07.9′ N.	68°36.0′ W.
70	40°07.2′ N.	68°38.4′ W.
71	40°06.9′ N.	68°46.5′ W.
72	40°08.7′ N.	68°49.6′ W.
73	40°08.1′ N.	68°51.0′ W.
74	40°05.7′ N.	68°52.4′ W.
75	40°03.6′ N.	68°57.2′ W.
76	40°03.65′ N.	69°00.0′ W.
77	40°04.35′ N.	69°00.5′ W.
78	40°05.2′ N.	69°00.5′ W.
79	40°05.3′ N.	69°01.1′ W.
80	40°08.9′ N.	69°01.75′ W.
81	40°11.0′ N.	69°03.8′ W.
82	40°11.6′ N.	69°05.4′ W.
83	40°10.25′ N.	69°04.4′ W.
84	40°09.75′ N.	69°04.15′ W.
85	40°08.45′ N.	69°03.6′ W.
86	40°05.65′ N.	69°03.55′ W.
87	40°04.1′ N.	69°03.9′ W.
88	40°02.65′ N.	69°05.6′ W.
89	40°02.00′ N.	69°08.35′ W.
90	40°02.65′ N.	69°11.15′ W.
91	40°00.05′ N.	69°14.6′ W.
92	39°57.8′ N.	69°20.35′ W.
93	39°56.65′ N.	69°24.4′ W.
94	39°56.1′ N.	69°26.35′ W.
95	39°56.55′ N.	69°34.1′ W.
96	39°57.85′ N.	69°35.5′ W.
97	40°00.65′ N.	69°36.5′ W.
98	40°00.9′ N.	69°37.3′ W.
99	39°59.15′ N.	69°37.3′ W.
100	39°58.8′ N.	69°38.45′ W.
102	39°56.2′ N.	69°40.2′ W.
103	39°55.75′ N.	69°41.4′ W.
104	39°56.7′ N.	69°53.6′ W.
105	39°57.55′ N.	69°54.05′ W.
106	39°57.4′ N.	69°55.9′ W.
107	39°56.9′ N.	69°57.45′ W.
108	39°58.25′ N.	70°03.0′ W.
110	39°59.2′ N.	70°04.9′ W.
111	40°00.7′ N.	70°08.7′ W.
112	40°03.75′ N.	70°10.15′ W.
115	40°05.2′ N.	70°10.9′ W.
116	40°02.45′ N.	70°14.1′ W.
119	40°02.75′ N.	70°16.1′ W.
to 181	39°59.3′ N.	70°14.0′ W.

Offshore Boundary

Point to	Latitude	Longitude
69	40°07.9′ N.	68°36.0′ W.
120	40°06.4′ N.	68°35.8′ W.
121	40°05.25′ N.	68°39.3′ W.
122	40°05.4′ N.	68°44.5′ W.
123	40°06.0′ N.	68°46.5′ W.
124	40°07.4′ N.	68°49.6′ W.
125	40°05.55′ N.	68°49.8′ W.
126	40°03.9′ N.	68°51.7′ W.
127	40°02.25′ N.	68°55.4′ W.
128	40°02.6′ N.	69°00.0′ W.
129	40°02.75′ N.	69°00.75′ W.
130	40°04.2′ N.	69°01.75′ W.
131	40°06.15′ N.	69°01.95′ W.
132	40°07.25′ N.	69°02.0′ W.
133	40°08.5′ N.	69°02.25′ W.
134	40°09.2′ N.	69°02.95′ W.
135	40°09.75′ N.	69°03.3′ W.
136	40°09.55′ N.	69°03.85′ W.
137	40°08.4′ N.	69°03.4′ W.
138	40°07.2′ N.	69°03.3′ W.
139	40°06.0′ N.	69°03.1′ W.
140	40°05.4′ N.	69°03.05′ W.
141	40°04.8′ N.	69°03.05′ W.
142	40°03.55′ N.	69°03.55′ W.
143	40°01.9′ N.	69°03.95′ W.
144	40°01.0′ N.	69°04.4′ W.
146	39°59.9′ N.	69°06.25′ W.
147	40°00.6′ N.	69°10.05′ W.
148	39°59.25′ N.	69°11.15′ W.
149	39°57.45′ N.	69°16.05′ W.
150	39°56.1′ N.	69°20.1′ W.
151	39°54.6′ N.	69°25.65′ W.
152	39°54.65′ N.	69°26.9′ W.
153	39°54.8′ N.	69°30.95′ W.
154	39°54.35′ N.	69°33.4′ W.
155	39°55.0′ N.	69°34.9′ W.
156	39°56.55′ N.	69°36.0′ W.
157	39°57.95′ N.	69°36.45′ W.
158	39°58.75′ N.	69°36.3′ W.
159	39°58.8′ N.	69°36.95′ W.
160	39°57.95′ N.	69°38.1′ W.
161	39°54.5′ N.	69°38.25′ W.
162	39°53.6′ N.	69°46.5′ W.
163	39°54.7′ N.	69°50.0′ W.
164	39°55.25′ N.	69°51.4′ W.
165	39°55.2′ N.	69°53.1′ W.
166	39°54.85′ N.	69°53.9′ W.
167	39°55.7′ N.	69°54.9′ W.
168	39°56.15′ N.	69°55.35′ W.
169	39°56.05′ N.	69°56.25′ W.
170	39°55.3′ N.	69°57.1′ W.
171	39°54.8′ N.	69°58.6′ W.
172	39°56.05′ N.	70°00.65′ W.
173	39°55.3′ N.	70°02.95′ W.
174	39°56.9′ N.	70°11.3′ W.
175	39°58.9′ N.	70°11.5′ W.
176	39°59.6′ N.	70°11.1′ W.
177	40°01.35′ N.	70°11.2′ W.
178	40°02.6′ N.	70°12.0′ W.
179	40°00.4′ N.	70°12.3′ W.
180	39°59.7′ N.	70°13.05′ W.
181	39°59.3′ N.	70°14.0′ W. to
119	40°02.75′ N.	70°16.1′ W.

(c) Restricted Gear Area II - (1) Duration - (i) Mobile Gear. From November 27 through June 15 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be, in Restricted Gear Area II (as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.

(ii) Lobster trap gear. From June 16 through November 26 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area II as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section.

(2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area II. Restricted Gear Area II is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Inshore Boundary

Point to	Latitude	Longitude
1	39°59.3′ N.	70°14.0′ W.
49	40°02.75′ N.	70°16.1′ W.
50	40°00.7′ N.	70°18.6′ W.
51	39°59.8′ N.	70°21.75′ W.
52	39°59.75′ N.	70°25.5′ W.
53	40°03.85′ N.	70°28.75′ W.
54	40°00.55′ N.	70°32.1′ W.
55	39°59.15′ N.	70°34.45′ W.
56	39°58.9′ N.	70°38.65′ W.
57	40°00.1′ N.	70°45.1′ W.
58	40°00.5′ N.	70°57.6′ W.
59	40°02.0′ N.	71°01.3′ W.
60	39°59.3′ N.	71°18.4′ W.
61	40°00.7′ N.	71°19.8′ W.
62	39°57.5′ N.	71°20.6′ W.
63	39°53.1′ N.	71°36.1′ W.
64	39°52.6′ N.	71°40.35′ W.
65	39°53.1′ N.	71°42.7 W.
66	39°46.95′ N.	71°49.0′ W.
67	39°41.15′ N.	71°57.1′ W.
68	39°35.45′ N.	72°02.0′ W.
69	39°32.65′ N.	72°06.1′ W.
70	39°29.75′ N.	72°09.8′ W.
to 48	39°29.0′ N.	72°09.25′ W.

Offshore Boundary

Point to	Latitude	Longitude
49	40°02.75′ N.	70°16.1′ W.
1	39°59.3′ N.	70°14.0′ W.
2	39°58.85′ N.	70°15.2′ W.
3	39°59.3′ N.	70°18.4′ W.
4	39°58.1′ N.	70°19.4′ W.
5	39°57.0′ N.	70°19.85′ W.
6	39°57.55′ N.	70°21.25′ W.
7	39°57.5′ N.	70°22.8′ W.
8	39°57.1′ N.	70°25.4′ W.
9	39°57.65′ N.	70°27.05′ W.
10	39°58.58′ N.	70°27.7′ W.
11	40°00.65′ N.	70°28.8′ W.
12	40°02.2′ N.	70°29.15′ W.
13	40°01.0′ N.	70°30.2′ W.
14	39°58.58′ N.	70°31.85′ W.
15	39°57.05′ N.	70°34.35′ W.
16	39°56.42′ N.	70°36.8′ W.
21	39°58.15′ N.	70°48.0′ W.
24	39°58.3′ N.	70°51.1′ W.
25	39°58.1′ N.	70°52.25′ W.
26	39°58.05′ N.	70°53.55′ W.
27	39°58.4′ N.	70°59.6′ W.
28	39°59.8′ N.	71°01.05′ W.
29	39°58.2′ N.	71°05.85′ W.
30	39°57.45′ N.	71°12.15′ W.
31	39°57.2′ N.	71°15.0′ W.
32	39°56.3′ N.	71°18.95′ W.
33	39°51.4′ N.	71°36.1′ W.
34	39°51.75′ N.	71°41.5′ W.
35	39°50.05′ N.	71°42.5′ W.
36	39°50.0′ N.	71°45.0′ W.
37	39°48.95′ N.	71°46.05′ W.
38	39°46.6′ N.	71°46.1′ W.
39	39°43.5′ N.	71°49.4′ W.
40	39°41.3′ N.	71°55.0′ W.
41	39°39.0′ N.	71°55.6′ W.
42	39°36.72′ N.	71°58.25′ W.
43	39°35.15′ N.	71°58.55′ W.
44	39°34.5′ N.	72°00.75′ W.
45	39°32.2′ N.	72°02.25′ W.
46	39°32.15′ N.	72°04.1′ W.
47	39°28.5′ N.	72°06.5′ W.
48	39°29.0′ N.	72°09.25′ W.
to 70	39°29.75′ N.	72°09.8′ W.

(d) Restricted Gear Area III - (1) Duration - (i) Mobile Gear. From June 16 through November 26 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be, in Restricted Gear Area III (as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.

(ii) Lobster trap gear. From January 1 through April 30 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with lobster trap gear or person on a fishing vessel with lobster trap gear may fish, and no lobster trap gear may be deployed or remain, in Restricted Gear Area III as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area III. Restricted Gear Area III is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Inshore Boundary

Point to	Latitude	Longitude
49	40°02.75′ N.	70°16.1′ W.
182	40°05.6′ N.	70°17.7′ W.
183	40°06.5′ N.	70°40.05′ W.
184	40°11.05′ N.	70°45.8′ W.
185	40°12.75′ N.	70°55.05′ W.
186	40°10.7′ N.	71°10.25′ W.
187	39°57.9′ N.	71°28.7′ W.
188	39°55.6′ N.	71°41.2′ W.
189	39°55.85′ N.	71°45.0′ W.
190	39°53.75′ N.	71°52.25′ W.
191	39°47.2′ N.	72°01.6′ W.
192	39°33.65′ N.	72°15.0′ W.
to 70	39°29.75′ N.	72°09.8′ W.

Offshore Boundary

Point to	Latitude	Longitude
182	40°05.6′ N.	70°17.7′ W.
49	40°02.75′ N.	70°16.1′ W.
50	40°00.7′ N.	70°18.6′ W.
51	39°59.8′ N.	70°21.75′ W.
52	39°59.75′ N.	70°25.5′ W.
53	40°03.85′ N.	70°28.75′ W.
54	40°00.55′ N.	70°32.1′ W.
55	39°59.15′ N.	70°34.45′ W.
56	39°58.9′ N.	70°38.6′ W.
57	40°00.1′ N.	70°45.1′ W.
58	40°00.5′ N.	70°57.6′ W.
59	40°02.0′ N.	71°01.3′ W.
60	39°59.3′ N.	71°18.4′ W.
61	40°00.7′ N.	71°19.8′ W.
62	39°57.5′ N.	71°20.6′ W.
63	39°53.1′ N.	71°36.1′ W.
64	39°52.6′ N.	71°40.35′ W.
65	39°53.1′ N.	71°42.7′ W.
66	39°46.95′ N.	71°49.0′ W.
67	39°41.15′ N.	71°57.1′ W.
68	39°35.45′ N.	72°02.0 W.
69	39°32.65′ N.	72°06.1′ W.
70	39°29.75′ N.	72°09.8′ W.
to 192	39°33.65′ N.	72°15.0′ W.

(e) Restricted Gear Area IV - (1) Duration for Mobile Gear. From June 16 through September 30 of each fishing year, no fishing vessel with mobile gear or person on a fishing vessel with mobile gear may fish, or be, in Restricted Gear Area IV (as defined in paragraph (e)(2) of this section) unless transiting only, provided that all mobile gear is on board the vessel while inside the area.

(2) Definition of Restricted Gear Area IV. Restricted Gear Area IV is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

Inshore Boundary

Point	Latitude	Longitude
193	40°13.60′ N.	68°40.60′ W.
194	40°11.60′ N.	68°53.00′ W.
195	40°14.00′ N.	69°04.70′ W.
196	40°14.30′ N.	69°05.80′ W.
197	40°05.50′ N.	69°09.00′ W.
198	39°57.30′ N.	69°25.10′ W.
199	40°00.40′ N.	69°35.20′ W.
200	40°01.70′ N.	69°35.40′ W.
201	40°01.70′ N.	69°37.40′ W.
202	40°00.50′ N.	69°38.80′ W.
203	40°01.30′ N.	69°45.00′ W.
204	40°02.10′ N.	70°45.00′ W.
205	40°07.60′ N.	70°04.50′ W.
206	40°07.80′ N.	70°09.20′ W.
to 119	40°02.75′ N.	70°16.1′ W.

Offshore Boundary

Point to	Latitude	Longitude
193	40°13.60′ N.	68°40.60′ W.
69	40°07.90′ N.	68°36.00′ W.
70	40°07.20′ N.	68°38.40′ W.
71	40°06.90′ N.	68°46.50′ W.
72	40°08.70′ N.	68°49.60′ W.
73	40°08.10′ N.	68°51.00′ W.
74	40°05.70′ N.	68°52.40′ W.
75	40°03.60′ N.	68°57.20′ W.
76	40°03.65′ N.	69°00.00′ W.
77	40°04.35′ N.	69°00.50′ W.
78	40°05.20′ N.	69°00.50′ W.
79	40°05.30′ N.	69°01.10′ W.
80	40°08.90′ N.	69°01.75′ W.
81	40°11.00′ N.	69°03.80′ W.
82	40°11.60′ N.	69°05.40′ W.
83	40°10.25′ N.	69°04.40′ W.
84	40°09.75′ N.	69°04.15′ W.
85	40°08.45′ N.	69°03.60′ W.
86	40°05.65′ N.	69°03.55′ W.
87	40°04.10′ N.	69°03.90′ W.
88	40°02.65′ N.	69°05.60′ W.
89	40°02.00′ N.	69°08.35′ W.
90	40°02.65′ N.	69°11.15′ W.
91	40°00.05′ N.	69°14.60′ W.
92	39°57.80′ N.	69°20.35′ W.
93	39°56.75′ N.	69°24.40′ W.
94	39°56.50′ N.	69°26.35′ W.
95	39°56.80′ N.	69°34.10′ W.
96	39°57.85′ N.	69°35.05′ W.
97	40°00.65′ N.	69°36.50′ W.
98	40°00.90′ N.	69°37.30′ W.
99	39°59.15 N.	69°37.30′ W.
100	39°58.80′ N.	69°38.45′ W.
102	39°56.20′ N.	69°40.20′ W.
103	39°55.75′ N.	69°41.40′ W.
104	39°56.70′ N.	69°53.60′ W.
105	39°57.55′ N.	69°54.05′ W.
106	39°57.40′ N.	69°55.90′ W.
107	39°56.90′ N.	69°57.45′ W.
108	39°58.25′ N.	70°03.00′ W.
110	39°59.20′ N.	70°04.90′ W.
111	40°00.70′ N.	70°08.70′ W.
112	40°03.75′ N.	70°10.15′ W.
115	40°05.20′ N.	70°10.90′ W.
116	40°02.45′ N.	70°14.1′ W.
119	40°02.75′ N.	70°16.1′ W.
to 206	40°07.80′ N.	70°09.20′ W.

(f) Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve. (1) No vessel or person may fish for horseshoe crabs in the area known as the Carl N. Shuster Jr. Horseshoe Crab Reserve bounded as follows:

(i) On the north by a straight line connecting points 39°14.6′ N. lat., 74°30.9′ W. long. (3 nm off of Peck Beach, NJ) and 39°14.6′ N lat., 74°22.5′ W. long.

(ii) On the east by a straight line connecting points 39°14.6′ N. lat., 74°22.5′ W. long. and 38°22.0′ N. lat., 74°22.5′ W. long.

(iii) On the south by a straight line connecting points 38°22.0′ N. lat., 74°22.5′ W. long. and 38°22.0′ N. lat., 75°00.4′ W. long. (3 nm off of Ocean City, MD).

(iv) On the west by the outermost boundary of state waters.

(2) No vessel or person on a vessel with a trawl or dredge may possess horseshoe crabs in the area described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section.

(3) Horseshoe crabs caught in the area described in paragraph (f)(1) of this section must be returned immediately to the water without further harm.

[64 FR 68248, Dec. 6, 1999, as amended at 66 FR 8911, Feb. 5, 2001]