Groundfishing and Lobstering on the Same Trip

 

You may fish for lobster and groundfish on a single trip if:

1. You do not hold a federal groundfish permit and are fishing for groundfish exclusively in state waters. You may not possess groundfish caught in state waters while hauling your traps in federal waters.

2. You are fishing under a federal groundfish permit and a federal non-trap lobster permit. No lobster traps may be used. There is a limit of 100 lobsters per 24 hours, and a total limit of 500 lobsters. You may not harvest lobsters from Maine state waters or land lobsters in Maine per state regulations.

3. You are hauling lobster traps on a declared groundfish trip on a federally permitted groundfish vessel (only federal permit categories A, C, and E), and are only using hook gear to target groundfish. You may not target groundfish with trawl or gillnet gears. You cannot haul traps while fishing under a Handgear A, Handgear B, or Category D hook permit because you can only use/possess hook gear when targeting groundfish, and cannot use electric reels, winches, or haulers under a handgear permit.

If you have a Handgear A, Handgear B, or Category D Hook permit, you may only use and/or possess hook gear onboard while fishing for groundfish.

You may not possess groundfish, including halibut, in federal waters without a federal groundfish permit.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

 

Q: Can I haul traps while fishing for groundfish with a handgear permit?
No. When fishing for groundfish under a federal Handgear A, Handgear B, or Category D hook permit, you are not allowed to haul traps. You may only have handgear onboard the vessel (rod/reel, tub trawl), and cannot use electric reels, winches, or haulers to fish under a handgear permit.

Q: Do I need to remove my trap hauler from my boat when fishing with my handgear permit?
No. You do not need to remove your trap hauler from your vessel. However, it is illegal to haul lobster gear when fishing for groundfish federal Handgear A, Handgear B, or Category D hook permit.

Q: Can I fish for halibut and lobster on the same trip?
No, except for the circumstances outlined above.

Q: What species are considered groundfish under federal regulations? What are the limits?
A vessel must have a federal groundfish permit to harvest the following species from federal waters: halibut, cod, haddock, pollock, redfish, white hake, winter flounder (blackback), witch flounder (gray sole), yellowtail flounder, and American plaice (dabs). All vessels may possess only one halibut per trip. Common pool vessels are subject to limits. While sector vessels are not subject to trip limits for allocated stocks, sectors must have quota for all harvest by sector members. Sector fishermen should discuss their fishing plans with their sector manager.

CONTENTS

Global Lobster Trade

When the Civil War Came to Maine

Editorial – You Watch My Back: Season 40

Uncertainty in Stock Assessments Impacts Harvest Rates

Letter – Commissioner’s Letter on LD575

If Lobster Landings Fall, Profits Could Too

Widely-Used Marine Seismic Gun Negatively Impacts Zooplankton

Hydrographic Surveys in Penobscot and Jericho Bays

Shrimp Fishermen, Shut Out For Now, Weigh in on Future Management Measures

2017 Seafood Throwdown Schedule

DOC Decision May Impact ASMFC’s Ability to Conserve Atlantic Coastal Fisheries

Dept. of Commerce
Picks Council Seats

Where New England’s Catch Goes and Why It Matters

Marine Species Distribution Shifts Will Continue Under Ocean Warming

Given the Right Tools, Fishermen Perform Data Collection

Nicholas Walsh – Fiduciary Duty

Stonington Races: Big Turn Out on a Great Day

2017 GMC Double Cab 4x4 at Winter Harbor Lobster Boat Race, August 12, 2017

24th Year for Stonington Races

Codfather Attempts to Leverage Permits and Boats

NMFS Fishing Vessel Capital Construction Fund Procedure Changes

From Beaches to the Bottom of the Sea, Microplastics Everywhere

Macroalgae Cultivation

The Voice of Safety – Life Saving Technique Easy and Available

Meeting

Life Jacket Project!

Hampton, NH Fisherman Takes Case to US Supreme Court

Groundfishing and Lobstering on the Same Trip

Data Yields Trajectory of Maine’s Coastal Fisheries at PMM

Request for Information on Offshore Oil & Gas Leases

2017 Maine Lobster
Boat Racing Schedule

Lee Wilbur – Learnin’ To Love Fishin’

Classifieds

Book Review – Phillip Barter, Maine Master

Back Then – Shay’s Tent