CORRECTION

Lobster Conservation Management Area 4 Seasonal Closure

The correct dates for the Lobster Conservation Management Area 4 seasonal closure is from April 30 through May 31.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission developed this seasonal closure to reduce exploitation on the Southern New England lobster stock. During this seasonal closure, federal lobster permit holders may not possess or land lobster taken from Area 4.

If you have a federal lobster permit, you must remove ALL trap gear from Area 4 regardless of the species targeted. Federal trap fishermen may not haul, set, store, abandon, or in any way leave their traps in Area 4 during the seasonal closure. We recognize the current challenges to fishing operations and we are sending this message out early to provide as much time as possible to prepare for the closure.

Regulations allow a 1-week grace period from May 24–31 to re-set gear in the closed area, should you intend to return to fishing as soon as possible. During the grace period, re-set traps may not be hauled and no lobster may be possessed or landed.

For more information, please see this bulletin on the NOAA Fisheries website.

Questions? Contact Allison Murphy, Regional Office, at 978-281-9122.