cfr_sections
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237 rows where part_number = 622 and title_number = 50 sorted by section_id
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| section_id ▼ | title_number | title_name | chapter | subchapter | part_number | part_name | subpart | subpart_name | section_number | section_heading | agency | authority | source_citation | amendment_citations | full_text |
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| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.1 Purpose and scope. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 78775, Dec. 27, 2013; 81 FR 1792, Jan. 13, 2016; 82 FR 34580, 34594 July 25, 2017; 82 FR 40075, Aug. 24, 2017; 84 FR 4736, Feb. 19, 2019; 85 FR 6823, Feb. 6, 2020; 85 FR 10339, Feb. 24, 2020; 87 FR 56214, Sept. 13, 2022; 90 FR 38003, Aug. 7, 2025] | (a) The purpose of this part is to implement the FMPs prepared under the Magnuson-Stevens Act by the CFMC, GMFMC, and/or SAFMC listed in Table 1 of this section. (b) This part governs conservation and management of species included in the FMPs in or from the Caribbean, Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, or Atlantic EEZ, unless otherwise specified, as indicated in Table 1 of this section. For the FMPs noted in the following table, conservation and management extends to adjoining state waters for the purposes of data collection and monitoring. (c) This part also governs the importation of spiny lobster into Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. (d) This part also governs importation of spiny lobster into any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Table 1 to § 622.1—FMPs Implemented Under Part 622 1 Regulated area includes adjoining state waters for purposes of data collection and quota monitoring. 2 Black sea bass and scup are not managed by the FMP or regulated by this part north of 35°15.19′ N. lat., the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, NC.” 3 Regulated area includes adjoining state waters for Gulf red snapper harvested or possessed by a person aboard a vessel for which a Gulf red snapper IFQ vessel account has been established or possessed by a dealer with a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement. 4 Regulated area includes adjoining state waters for Gulf groupers and tilefishes harvested or possessed by a person aboard a vessel for which an IFQ vessel account for Gulf groupers and tilefishes has been established or possessed by a dealer with a Gulf IFQ dealer endorsement. 5 Octocorals are managed by the FMP or regulated by this part only in the EEZ off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. 6 Nassau grouper in the South Atlantic EEZ and the Gulf EEZ are managed under the FMP. 7 Hogfish are managed by the FMP in the Gulf EEZ except south of 25°09′ N. lat. off the west coast of Florida. Hogfish in the remainder of the Gulf EEZ south of 25°09′ N. lat. off the west coast of Florida a… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.10 Landing fish intact—-general. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, amended at 87 FR 56216, Sept. 13, 2022] | This section contains requirements for landing fish intact that are broadly applicable to finfish in the Gulf EEZ and Caribbean EEZ, as specified. See subparts B through U of this part, as applicable, for additional species-specific requirements for landing fish intact. (a) Finfish in or from the Gulf EEZ or Caribbean EEZ, except as specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, must be maintained with head and fins intact. (b) Atlantic highly migratory species, such as tunas, billfishes (marlins, spearfishes, and swordfish), and oceanic sharks are not subject to the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section. See 50 CFR part 635 for any requirements applicable to landing Atlantic highly migratory species intact. (c) In the Gulf EEZ or Caribbean EEZ: (1) Bait is exempt from the requirement to be maintained with head and fins intact. (i) For the purpose of this paragraph (c)(1), “ bait ” means— (A) Packaged, headless fish fillets that have the skin attached and are frozen or refrigerated; (B) Headless fish fillets that have the skin attached and are held in brine; or (C) Small pieces no larger than 3 in 3 (7.6 cm 3 ) or strips no larger than 3 inches by 9 inches (7.6 cm by 22.9 cm) that have the skin attached and are frozen, refrigerated, or held in brine. (ii) Paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section notwithstanding, a finfish or part thereof possessed in or landed from the Gulf EEZ or Caribbean EEZ that is subsequently sold or purchased as a finfish species, rather than as bait, is not bait. (2) Legal-sized finfish possessed for consumption at sea on the harvesting vessel are exempt from the requirement to have head and fins intact, provided— (i) Such finfish do not exceed any applicable bag limit; (ii) Such finfish do not exceed 1.5 lb (680 g) of finfish parts per person aboard; and (iii) The vessel is equipped to cook such finfish on board. (d) The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained intact and, if taken… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.11 Bag and possession limits—general applicability. | FWS | [87 FR 56216, Sept. 13, 2022] | This section describes the general applicability provisions for bag and possession limits specified in subparts B through U of this part. (a) Applicability. (1) The bag and possession limits apply for a species or species group in or from the EEZ. Unless specified otherwise, bag limits apply to a person on a daily basis, regardless of the number of trips in a day. Unless specified otherwise, a person is limited to a single bag limit for a trip lasting longer than one calendar day. Unless specified otherwise, possession limits apply to a person on a trip after the first 24 hours of that trip. The bag and possession limits apply to a person who fishes in the EEZ in any manner, except a person on a vessel in the EEZ that has on board the commercial vessel permit required under this part for the appropriate species or species group. The possession of a commercial vessel permit notwithstanding, the bag and possession limits apply when the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a bag limit specified in subparts B through U of this part with a bag or possession limit applicable to state waters. A species or species group subject to a bag limit specified in subparts B through U of this part and taken in the EEZ by a person subject to the bag limits may not be transferred at sea, regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such fish may not be transferred in the EEZ. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that the bag and possession limits specified in subparts B through U of this part are not exceeded. (2) [Reserved] (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.12 [Reserved] | FWS | ||||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.13 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.13 Prohibitions—general. | FWS | [78 FR 57535, Sept. 19, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 78781, Dec. 27, 2013; 79 FR 6099, Feb. 3, 2014; 79 FR 19494, Apr. 9, 2014; 81 FR 1792, Jan. 13, 2016; 85 FR 10339, Feb. 24, 2020; 90 FR 38004, Aug. 7, 2025] | In addition to the general prohibitions in § 600.725 of this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to do any of the following: (a) Engage in an activity for which a valid Federal permit, license, or endorsement is required under this part without such permit, license, or endorsement. (b) Falsify information on an application for a permit, license, or endorsement or submitted in support of such application, as specified in this part. (c) Fail to display a permit, license, or endorsement, or other required identification, as specified in this part. (d) Falsify or fail to maintain, submit, or provide information or fail to comply with inspection requirements or restrictions, as specified in this part. (e) Fail to make a fish, or parts thereof, available for inspection, as specified in this part. (f) Falsify or fail to display and maintain vessel and gear identification, as specified in this part. (g) Harvest or possess fish if the required charter vessel or headboat reports have not been submitted in accordance with this part. (h) First receive fish from federally permitted vessels if the required reports have not been submitted in accordance with § 622.5(c). (i) Fail to comply with any requirement or restriction regarding ITQ coupons, as specified in § 622.172. (j) Possess wreckfish as specified in § 622.172, receive wreckfish except as specified in § 622.172, or offload a wreckfish except as specified in § 622.172. (k) Transfer— (1) A wreckfish, as specified in § 622.172; (2) A limited-harvest species, as specified in this part; (3) A species/species group subject to a bag limit, as specified in this part; (4) South Atlantic snapper-grouper from a vessel with unauthorized gear on board, as specified in § 622.188; or (5) A species subject to a commercial trip limit, as specified in this part. (l) Use or possess prohibited gear or methods or possess fish in association with possession or use of prohibited gear, as specified in this part. (m) Fish for, harvest, or possess a prohibited species, or a… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.14 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.14 [Reserved] | FWS | ||||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.15 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.15 Notice regarding area closures to protect corals. | FWS | See §§ 622.74 and 622.224, respectively, regarding coral protective restrictions in the Gulf EEZ and South Atlantic EEZ that apply broadly to multiple fisheries and gear types. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.16 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.16 Notice regarding South Atlantic special management zones (SMZs). | FWS | See §§ 622.182(a) and 622.382(a)(1)(v), respectively, regarding fishing and gear restrictions in South Atlantic SMZs that apply to snapper-grouper and coastal migratory pelagic fisheries and broadly to gear types of multiple fisheries. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.17 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.17 Notice regarding seasonal/area closures to protect Gulf reef fish. | FWS | See § 622.34, paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) through (6), regarding Gulf reef fish protective restrictions in the Gulf EEZ that apply broadly to multiple Gulf fisheries and gear types. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.18 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.19 Incorporation by reference. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 37152, July 31, 2019. Redesignated and amended at 87 FR 56216, Sept. 13, 2022; 88 FR 29847, May 9, 2023] | (a) Certain material is incorporated by reference into this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than that specified in this section, NMFS must publish a document in the Federal Register and the material must be available to the public. All approved material is available for inspection at NMFS and at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact NMFS at: NMFS, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD; 301-427-8500; www.fisheries.noaa.gov/about/office-sustainable-fisheries . For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html . The material may be obtained from the source(s) in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section. (b) Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.): Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399; telephone: 850-487-0554; http://www.flrules.org. (1) [Reserved] (2) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper lobster, Rule 68B-24.002: Definitions, amended May 1, 2017, IBR approved for § 622.400(a). (3) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper lobster, Rule 68B-24.005: Seasons, amended November 1, 2018, IBR approved for § 622.403(b). (4) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper lobster, Rule 68B-24.006: Gear: Traps, Buoys, Identification Requirements, Prohibited Devices, amended May 1, 2017, IBR approved for § 622.402(a), § 622.404(f), and § 622.405(b). (5) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-24: Spiny lobster (crawfish) and slipper lobster, Rule 68B-24.007: Other Prohibitions, amended May 1, 2017, IBR approved for § 622.404(e). (6) F.A.C., Chapter 68B-38: Shrimping and trapping: Closed areas and seasons, Rule 68B-38.001: Citrus-Hernando Shrimping and Trapping Closed Areas and Seasons, in effect as of March 1, 2005, IBR approved for § 622… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.2 Definitions and acronyms. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 78775, Dec. 27, 2013; 79 FR 19493, Apr. 9, 2014; 80 FR 4218, Jan. 27, 2015; 81 FR 1792, Jan. 13, 2016; 82 FR 34580, July 25, 2017; 85 FR 6823, Feb. 6, 2020; 87 FR 2357, Jan. 14, 2022; 87 FR 56215, Sept. 13, 2022; 88 FR 46695, July 20, 2023; 90 FR 38003, Aug. 7, 2025; 91 FR 8386, Feb. 23, 2026] | In addition to the definitions in the Magnuson Act and in § 600.10 of this chapter, and the acronyms in § 600.15 of this chapter, the terms and acronyms used in this part have the following meanings: Accountability measure means a management control implemented such that overfishing is prevented, where possible, and mitigated if it occurs. Actual ex-vessel price means the total monetary sale amount a fisherman receives per pound of fish for IFQ landings from a registered IFQ dealer before any deductions are made for transferred (leased) allocation and goods and services ( e.g. bait, ice, fuel, repairs, machinery replacement, etc.). Allowable chemical means a substance, generally used to immobilize marine life so that it can be captured alive, that, when introduced into the water, does not take Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral and is allowed by Florida for the harvest of tropical fish ( e.g., quinaldine, quinaldine compounds, or similar substances). Allowable octocoral means an erect, nonencrusting species of the subclass Octocorallia, except the seafans Gorgonia flabellum and G. ventalina, plus the attached substrate within 1 inch (2.54 cm) of an allowable octocoral. ( Note: An erect, nonencrusting species of the subclass Octocorallia, except the seafans Gorgonia flabellum and G. ventalina, with attached substrate exceeding 1 inch (2.54 cm) is considered to be live rock and not allowable octocoral.) Annual catch limit (ACL) means the level of catch that serves as the basis for invoking accountability measures. Annual catch target (ACT) means an amount of annual catch of a stock or stock complex that is the management target of the fishery, and accounts for management uncertainty in controlling the actual catch at or below the ACL. Aquaculture means all activities, including the operation of an aquaculture facility, involved in the propagation or rearing, or attempted propagation or rearing, of allowable aquaculture species in the Gulf EEZ. Aquaculture facility means an installat… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.3 Relation to other laws and regulations. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 85 FR 6823, Feb. 6, 2020] | (a) The relation of this part to other laws is set forth in § 600.705 of this chapter and paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section. (b) Except for regulations on allowable octocoral, Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral, and live rock, this part is intended to apply within the EEZ portions of applicable National Marine Sanctuaries and National Parks, unless the regulations governing such sanctuaries or parks prohibit their application. Regulations on allowable octocoral, Gulf and South Atlantic prohibited coral, and live rock do not apply within the EEZ portions of the following National Marine Sanctuaries and National Parks: (1) Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, subpart P). (2) Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, subpart I). (3) Monitor National Marine Sanctuary (15 CFR part 922, subpart F). (4) Everglades National Park (36 CFR 7.45). (5) Biscayne National Park (16 U.S.C. 410gg). (6) Fort Jefferson National Monument (36 CFR 7.27). (c) For allowable octocoral, if a state has a catch, landing, or gear regulation that is more restrictive than a catch, landing, or gear regulation in this part, a person landing in such state allowable octocoral taken from the South Atlantic EEZ must comply with the more restrictive state regulation. (d) General provisions on facilitation of enforcement, penalties, and enforcement policy applicable to all domestic fisheries are set forth in §§ 600.730, 600.735, and 600.740 of this chapter, respectively. (e) An activity that is otherwise prohibited by this part may be conducted if authorized as scientific research activity, exempted fishing, or exempted educational activity, as specified in § 600.745 of this chapter. (f) Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas are delegated the authority to specify certain management measures related to the harvest and possession of red snapper by the private angling component in the Gulf EEZ. See § 622.23 for the Gulf recreational red snapper management measures that have been del… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.4 Permits and fees—general. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 19493, Apr. 9, 2014; 81 FR 1792, Jan. 13, 2016; 83 FR 64034, Dec. 13, 2018; 86 FR 72856, Dec. 23, 2021; 87 FR 56215, Sept. 13, 2022; 90 FR 38004, Aug. 7, 2025] | This section contains general information about procedures related to permits. See also §§ 622.70 and 622.220 regarding certain permit procedures unique to coral permits in the Gulf of America and the South Atlantic, respectively. See subpart F of this part for permit requirements related to aquaculture of species other than live rock. Permit requirements for specific fisheries, as applicable, are contained in the permit sections within subparts B through U of this part. (a) Applications for permits. Application forms for all permits are available from the RA. Completed application forms and all required supporting documents must be submitted to the RA at least 30 days prior to the date on which the applicant desires to have the permit made effective. All vessel permits are mailed to owners, whether the applicant is an owner or an operator. (1) Vessel permits. (i) The application for a commercial vessel permit, other than for wreckfish, or for a charter vessel/headboat permit must be submitted by the owner (in the case of a corporation, an officer or shareholder; in the case of a partnership, a general partner) or operator of the vessel. A commercial vessel permit that is issued based on the earned income qualification of an operator is valid only when that person is the operator of the vessel. The applicant for a commercial vessel permit for wreckfish must be a wreckfish shareholder. (ii) An applicant must provide the following: (A) A copy of the vessel's valid USCG certificate of documentation or, if not documented, a copy of its valid state registration certificate. (B) Vessel name and official number. (C) Name, address, telephone number, and other identifying information of the vessel owner and of the applicant, if other than the owner. (D) Any other information concerning the vessel, gear characteristics, principal fisheries engaged in, or fishing areas, as specified on the application form. (E) Any other information that may be necessary for the issuance or administration of the permit, as speci… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.5 Recordkeeping and reporting—general. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 19493, Apr. 9, 2014; 80 FR 78674, Dec. 17, 2015; 87 FR 56215, Sept. 13, 2022] | This section contains recordkeeping and reporting requirements that are broadly applicable, as specified, to most or all fisheries governed by this part. Additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements specific to each fishery are contained in the respective subparts B through U of this part. (a) Collection of additional data and fish inspection. In addition to data required to be reported as specified in subparts B through U of this part, as applicable, additional data will be collected by authorized statistical reporting agents and by authorized officers. A person who fishes for or possesses species in or from the EEZ governed in this part is required to make the applicable fish or any part thereof available for inspection by the SRD or an authorized officer on request. (b) Commercial vessel, charter vessel, and headboat inventory. The owner or operator of a commercial vessel, charter vessel, or headboat operating in a fishery governed in this part who is not selected to report by the SRD under the recordkeeping and reporting requirements in subparts B through U of this part, must provide the following information when interviewed by the SRD: (1) Name and official number of vessel and permit number, if applicable. (2) Length and tonnage. (3) Current home port. (4) Fishing areas. (5) Ports where fish were offloaded during the last year. (6) Type and quantity of gear. (7) Number of full- and part-time fishermen or crew members. (c) Dealers —(1) Permitted Gulf and South Atlantic dealers. (i) A person issued a Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit must submit a detailed electronic report of all fish first received for a commercial purpose within the time period specified in this paragraph via the dealer electronic trip ticket reporting system. These electronic reports must be submitted at weekly intervals via the dealer electronic trip ticket reporting system by 11:59 p.m., local time, the Tuesday following a reporting week. If no fish were received during a reporting week, an electronic report… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.6 Vessel identification. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, amended at 87 FR 56215, Sept. 13, 2022] | This section does not apply to subpart R of this part, which has its own specific vessel identification requirements in § 622.402. (a) Applicability —(1) Official number. A vessel for which a permit has been issued under subparts B through U of this part, except for subpart R, and a vessel that fishes for or possesses pelagic sargassum in the South Atlantic EEZ, must display its official number— (i) On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long, on an appropriate weather deck, so as to be clearly visible from an enforcement vessel or aircraft. (ii) In block arabic numerals permanently affixed to or painted on the vessel in contrasting color to the background. (iii) At least 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height for vessels over 65 ft (19.8 m) long; at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long; and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height for vessels 25 ft (7.6 m) long or less. (2) Official number and color code. The following vessels must display their official number as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section and, in addition, must display their assigned color code: A vessel for which a permit has been issued to fish with a sea bass pot, as required under § 622.170(a)(1); and, in the EEZ around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, or St. Thomas and St. John, a vessel fishing commercially with traps for reef fish, as defined in subparts S through U of this part, or a vessel fishing for spiny lobster, when color codes are required and have been assigned to the vessel by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, as applicable. Color codes required for vessels fishing in the EEZ around Puerto Rico, St. Croix, or St. Thomas and St. John are assigned by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, as applicable. Color codes required in all other fisheries are assigned by the RA. The color code must be displayed— (i) On the port and starboard sides of the deckhouse or hull and, for vessels over 25 ft (7.6 m) long, on an appropriate weather deck, so as t… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.7 Fishing years. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 66322, Nov. 7, 2014; 80 FR 4218, Jan. 27, 2015; 81 FR 45248, July 13, 2016; 81 FR 10311, Feb. 10, 2017; 82 FR 17394, Apr. 11, 2017; 83 FR 13428, Mar. 29, 2018; 90 FR 38004, Aug. 7, 2025] | The fishing year for species or species groups governed in this part is January 1 through December 31 except for the following: (a) Allowable octocoral —October 1 through September 30. (b) King and Spanish mackerel. The fishing year for the king and Spanish mackerel bag limits specified in § 622.382 is January 1 through December 31. The following fishing years apply only for the king and Spanish mackerel quotas specified in § 622.384: (1) Gulf migratory group king mackerel —(i) Southern zone —July 1 through June 30. (ii) Northern zone —October 1 through September 30. (iii) Western zone —July 1 through June 30. (2) Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel —April through March. (3) South Atlantic migratory group king and Spanish mackerel —March through February. (c) Wreckfish —April 16 through April 15. (d) South Atlantic greater amberjack —March 1 through the end of February. (e) South Atlantic black sea bass recreational sector —April 1 through March 31. (Note: The fishing year for the commercial sector for black sea bass is January 1 through December 31). (f) South Atlantic yellowtail snapper —August 1 through July 31. (g) Gulf yellowtail snapper —August 1 through July 31. (h) Gulf greater amberjack recreational sector —August 1 through July 31. (Note: The fishing year for the commercial sector for greater amberjack is January 1 through December 31). | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.8 Quotas—general. | FWS | [87 FR 56216, Sept. 13, 2022, as amended at 89 FR 40435, May 10, 2024] | (a) Applicability. Quotas apply for the fishing year for each species, species group, sector, or sector component unless accountability measures are implemented during the fishing year pursuant to the applicable annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) sections within subparts B through U of this part due to a quota overage occurring in the previous year, in which case a reduced quota will be specified through notification in the Federal Register. Annual quota increases are contingent on the total allowable catch for the applicable species not being exceeded in the previous fishing year. If the total allowable catch is exceeded in the previous fishing year, the RA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to maintain the quota for the applicable species, species group, sector, or sector component from the previous fishing year for following fishing years unless NMFS determines based upon the best scientific information available that maintaining the quota from the previous year is unnecessary. Except for the quotas for Gulf and South Atlantic coral, the quotas include species harvested from state waters adjoining the EEZ. (b) Quota closures. When a quota specified in this part is reached or is projected to be reached, the Assistant Administrator will file a notification to that effect with the Office of the Federal Register. On and after the effective date of such notification, for the remainder of the fishing year, the applicable closure restrictions for such a quota, as specified in this part apply. See the applicable ACLs, annual catch targets (ACTs), and AMs sections in subparts B through U of this part for closure provisions when an applicable ACL or ACT is reached or projected to be reached. (c) Reopening. When a species, species group, sector, or sector component has been closed based on a projection of the applicable catch limit (ACL, ACT, or quota) specified in this part being reached and subsequent data indicate that the catch limit was not reached, t… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.1.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | A | Subpart A—General Provisions | § 622.9 Prohibited gear and methods—general. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, amended at 87 FR 56216, Sept. 13, 2022] | This section contains prohibitions on use of gear and methods that are of general applicability, as specified. Additional prohibitions on use of gear and methods applicable to specific species or species groups are contained in subparts B through U of this part. (a) Explosives. An explosive (except an explosive in a powerhead) may not be used to fish in the Caribbean, Gulf, or South Atlantic EEZ. A vessel fishing in the EEZ for a species governed in this part, or a vessel for which a permit has been issued under this part, may not have on board any dynamite or similar explosive substance. (b) Chemicals and plants. A toxic chemical may not be used or possessed in a coral area. (c) Fish traps. A fish trap may not be used or possessed in the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ. A fish trap deployed in the Gulf or South Atlantic EEZ may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer. (d) Weak link. A bottom trawl that does not have a weak link in the tickler chain may not be used to fish in the Gulf EEZ. For the purposes of this paragraph, a weak link is defined as a length or section of the tickler chain that has a breaking strength less than the chain itself and is easily seen as such when visually inspected. (e) Use of Gulf reef fish as bait prohibited. Gulf reef fish may not be used as bait in any fishery, except that, when purchased from a fish processor, the filleted carcasses and offal of Gulf reef fish may be used as bait in trap fisheries for blue crab, stone crab, deep-water crab, and spiny lobster. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.10.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | K | Subpart K—Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.220 Permits. | FWS | See § 622.4 for information regarding general permit procedures including, but not limited to fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and replacement. (a) Required permits —(1) Allowable chemical. For an individual to take or possess fish or other marine organisms with an allowable chemical in a coral area, other than fish or other marine organisms that are landed in Florida, a Federal allowable chemical permit must have been issued to the individual. Such permit must be available when the permitted activity is being conducted and when such fish or other marine organisms are possessed, through landing ashore. (2) Allowable octocoral. For an individual to take or possess allowable octocoral in the South Atlantic EEZ, other than allowable octocoral that is landed in Florida, a Federal allowable octocoral permit must have been issued to the individual. Such permit must be available for inspection when the permitted activity is being conducted and when allowable octocoral is possessed, through landing ashore. (3) Aquacultured live rock. For a person to take or possess aquacultured live rock in the South Atlantic EEZ, a Federal aquacultured live rock permit must have been issued for the specific harvest site. Such permit, or a copy, must be on board a vessel depositing or possessing material on an aquacultured live rock site or harvesting or possessing live rock from an aquacultured live rock site. (4) Prohibited coral. A Federal permit may be issued to take or possess South Atlantic prohibited coral only as scientific research activity, exempted fishing, or exempted educational activity. See § 600.745 of this chapter for the procedures and limitations for such activities and fishing. (5) Florida permits. Appropriate Florida permits and endorsements are required for the following activities, without regard to whether they involve activities in the EEZ or Florida's waters: (i) Landing in Florida fish or other marine organisms taken with an allowable chemical in a coral area. … | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.10.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | K | Subpart K—Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.221 Recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | (a) Individuals with coral or live rock permits. (1) An individual with a Federal allowable octocoral permit must submit a report of harvest to the SRD. Specific reporting requirements will be provided with the permit. (2) A person with a Federal aquacultured live rock permit must report to the RA each deposition of material on a site. Such reports must be postmarked not later than 7 days after deposition and must contain the following information: (i) Permit number of site and date of deposit. (ii) Geological origin of material deposited. (iii) Amount of material deposited. (iv) Source of material deposited, that is, where obtained, if removed from another habitat, or from whom purchased. (3) A person who takes aquacultured live rock must submit a report of harvest to the RA. Specific reporting requirements will be provided with the permit. This reporting requirement is waived for aquacultured live rock that is landed in Florida. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.10.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | K | Subpart K—Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.222 Prohibited gear and methods. | FWS | Also see § 622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all fisheries. (a) Power-assisted tools. A power-assisted tool may not be used in the South Atlantic EEZ to take allowable octocoral, prohibited coral, or live rock. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.10.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | K | Subpart K—Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.223 Prohibited species. | FWS | (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable to that vessel. (b) Prohibited coral. South Atlantic prohibited coral taken as incidental catch in the South Atlantic EEZ must be returned immediately to the sea in the general area of fishing. In fisheries where the entire catch is landed unsorted, such as the scallop and groundfish fisheries, unsorted prohibited coral may be landed ashore; however, no person may sell or purchase such prohibited coral. (c) Wild live rock. Wild live rock may not be harvested or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ. (d) Octocoral. Octocoral may not be harvested or possessed in or from the portion of the South Atlantic EEZ managed under the FMP. Octocoral collected in the portion of the South Atlantic EEZ managed under the FMP must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.10.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | K | Subpart K—Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.224 Area closures to protect South Atlantic corals. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 42431, July 17, 2015; 80 FR 46205, Aug. 4, 2015; 80 FR 60566, Oct. 7, 2015; 81 FR 7715, Feb. 16, 2016] | (a) Allowable octocoral closed area. No person may harvest or possess allowable octocoral in the South Atlantic EEZ north of 28°35.1′ N. lat. (due east of the NASA Vehicle Assembly Building, Cape Canaveral, FL). (b) Oculina Bank —(1) HAPC. The Oculina Bank HAPC is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points: (i) In the Oculina Bank HAPC, no person may: (A) Use a bottom longline, bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap. (B) If aboard a fishing vessel, anchor, use an anchor and chain, or use a grapple and chain. (C) Fish for or possess rock shrimp in or from the Oculina Bank HAPC, except a shrimp vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for rock shrimp that possesses rock shrimp may transit through the Oculina Bank HAPC if fishing gear is appropriately stowed. For the purpose of this paragraph, transit means a direct and non-stop continuous course through the area, maintaining a minimum speed of five knots as determined by an operating VMS and a VMS minimum ping rate of 1 ping per 5 minutes; fishing gear appropriately stowed means that doors and nets are out of the water. (ii) [Reserved] (2) Experimental closed area. Within the Oculina Bank HAPC, the experimental closed area is bounded on the north by 27°53′ N. lat., on the south by 27°30′ N. lat., on the east by 79°56′ W. long., and on the west by 80°00' W. long. No person may fish for South Atlantic snapper-grouper in the experimental closed area, and no person may retain South Atlantic snapper-grouper in or from the area. In the experimental closed area, any South Atlantic snapper-grouper taken incidentally by hook-and-line gear must be released immediately by cutting the line without removing the fish from the water. (c) Deepwater Coral HAPCs —(1) Locations. The following areas are designated Deepwater Coral HAPCs: (i) Cape Lookout Lophelia Banks is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points: (ii) Cape Fear Lophelia Banks is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points: (i… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.10.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | K | Subpart K—Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.225 Harvest limitations. | FWS | (a) Aquacultured live rock. In the South Atlantic EEZ: (1) Aquacultured live rock may be harvested only under a permit, as required under § 622.220(a)(3), and aquacultured live rock on a site may be harvested only by the person, or his or her employee, contractor, or agent, who has been issued the aquacultured live rock permit for the site. A person harvesting aquacultured live rock is exempt from the prohibition on taking prohibited coral for such prohibited coral as attaches to aquacultured live rock. (2) The following restrictions apply to individual aquaculture activities: (i) No aquaculture site may exceed 1 acre (0.4 ha) in size. (ii) Material deposited on the aquaculture site— (A) May not be placed over naturally occurring reef outcrops, limestone ledges, coral reefs, or vegetated areas. (B) Must be free of contaminants. (C) Must be nontoxic. (D) Must be placed on the site by hand or lowered completely to the bottom under restraint, that is, not allowed to fall freely. (E) Must be placed from a vessel that is anchored. (F) Must be geologically distinguishable from the naturally occurring substrate and, in addition, may be indelibly marked or tagged. (iii) A minimum setback of at least 50 ft (15.2 m) must be maintained from natural vegetated or hard bottom habitats. (3) Mechanically dredging or drilling, or otherwise disturbing, aquacultured live rock is prohibited, and aquacultured live rock may be harvested only by hand. (4) The following activities are also prohibited: Chipping of aquacultured live rock in the EEZ, possession of chipped aquacultured live rock in or from the EEZ, removal of allowable octocoral or prohibited coral from aquacultured live rock in or from the EEZ, and possession of prohibited coral not attached to aquacultured live rock or allowable octocoral, while aquacultured live rock is in possession. See the definition of “Allowable octocoral” for clarification of the distinction between allowable octocoral and live rock. For the purposes of this paragraph (a)(4), chippin… | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.10.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | K | Subpart K—Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.226 Restrictions on sale/purchase. | FWS | (a) South Atlantic wild live rock. Wild live rock in or from the South Atlantic EEZ may not be sold or purchased. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to wild live rock from the South Atlantic EEZ that was harvested and landed prior to January 1, 1996. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.10.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | K | Subpart K—Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.227 Adjustment of management measures. | FWS | In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard Bottom Habitats of the South Atlantic Region, the RA may establish or modify the following: (a) South Atlantic coral, coral reefs, and live/hard bottom habitats. Definitions of essential fish habitat and essential fish habitat HAPCs or Coral HAPCs. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.240 Permits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014] | (a) Commercial vessel permits. For a person aboard a vessel to fish for golden crab in the South Atlantic EEZ, possess golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, off-load golden crab from the South Atlantic EEZ, or sell golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for golden crab must be issued to the vessel and must be on board. It is a rebuttable presumption that a golden crab on board a vessel in the South Atlantic or off-loaded from a vessel in a port adjoining the South Atlantic was harvested from the South Atlantic EEZ. See § 622.241 for limitations on the use, transfer, and renewal of a commercial vessel permit for golden crab. (b) Dealer permits and conditions —(1) Permits. For a dealer to first receive South Atlantic golden crab harvested in or from the EEZ, a Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit must be issued to the dealer. (2) State license and facility requirements. To obtain a dealer permit, the applicant must have a valid state wholesaler's license in the state(s) where the dealer operates, if required by such state(s), and must have a physical facility at a fixed location in such state(s). (c) Permit procedures. See § 622.4 for information regarding general permit procedures including, but not limited to application, fees, duration, transfer, renewal, display, sanctions and denials, and replacement. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.249 Gear restrictions and requirements. | FWS | (a) Maximum trap sizes. A golden crab trap deployed or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ may not exceed 64 ft 3 (1.8 m 3 ) in volume in the northern zone or 48 ft 3 (1.4 m 3 ) in volume in the middle and southern zones. See § 622.241(b)(1) for specification of the golden crab zones. (b) Required escape mechanisms for traps. (1) A golden crab trap that is used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ must have at least one escape gap or escape ring on each of two opposite vertical sides. The minimum allowable inside dimensions of an escape gap are 2.75 by 3.75 inches (7.0 by 9.5 cm); the minimum allowable inside diameter of an escape ring is 4.5 inches (11.4 cm). In addition to the escape gaps— (i) A golden crab trap constructed of webbing must have an opening (slit) at least 1 ft (30.5 cm) long that may be closed (relaced) only with untreated cotton string no larger than 3/16 inch (0.48 cm) in diameter. (ii) A golden crab trap constructed of material other than webbing must have an escape panel or door measuring at least 11 7/8 by 11 7/8 inches (30.2 by 30.2 cm), located on at least one side, excluding top and bottom. The hinges or fasteners of such door or panel must be made of either ungalvanized or uncoated iron wire no larger than 19 gauge (0.04 inch (1.0 mm) in diameter) or untreated cotton string no larger than 3/16 inch (4.8 mm) in diameter. (2) [Reserved] (c) Restriction on tending traps. A golden crab trap in the South Atlantic EEZ may be pulled or tended only by a person (other than an authorized officer) aboard the vessel permitted to fish such pot or trap or aboard another vessel if such vessel has on board written consent of the owner or operator of the vessel so permitted. A vessel with written consent on board must also possess a valid commercial vessel permit for golden crab. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.250 Restrictions on sale/purchase. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014] | (a) A female golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ may not be sold or purchased. (b) A golden crab harvested in the South Atlantic EEZ on board a vessel that does not have a valid commercial permit for golden crab, as required under § 622.240(a), may not be sold or purchased. (c) A golden crab harvested in or from the EEZ or adjoining state waters by a vessel that has a valid commercial vessel permit for South Atlantic golden crab may be sold or transferred only to a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.240(b)(1). (d) A golden crab harvested in or from the EEZ may be first received by a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.240(b)(1), only from a vessel that has a valid commercial vessel permit for golden crab. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.251 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures (AMs). | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 81 FR 3746, Jan. 22, 2016] | (a) Commercial sector. (1) If commercial landings for golden crab, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the ACL of 2 million lb (907,185 kg), round weight, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the golden crab fishery for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, all harvest, possession, sale, or purchase of golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is prohibited. (2) If commercial landings for golden crab, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the ACL, and the species is overfished based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to reduce the ACL in the following fishing year by the amount of the ACL overage in the prior fishing year. (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.13 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.252 Adjustment of management measures. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 89 FR 276, Jan. 3, 2024] | In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, the RA may establish or modify the following: (a) Biomass levels, age-structured analyses, maximum sustainable yield, acceptable biological catch, total allowable catch, quotas (including quotas equal to zero), trip limits, minimum sizes, gear regulations and restrictions, permit requirements, seasonal or area closures, sub-zones and their management measures, time frame for recovery of golden crab if overfished, fishing year (adjustment not to exceed 2 months), observer requirements, authority for the Regional Administrator to close the fishery when a quota is reached or is projected to be reached, definitions of essential fish habitat (EFH), EFH habitat areas of particular concern (HAPCs), or coral HAPCs, and allow transfer of the unharvested ACL to the following fishing year. (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.241 South Atlantic golden crab controlled access. | FWS | (a) General. In accordance with the procedures specified in the Fishery Management Plan for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, initial commercial vessel permits have been issued for the fishery. All permits in the fishery are issued on a fishing-year (calendar-year) basis. No additional permits may be issued except for the northern zone as follows: (1) The RA will issue up to two new vessel permits for the northern zone. Selection will be made from the list of historical participants in the South Atlantic golden crab fishery. Such list was used at the October 1995 meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and was prioritized based on pounds of golden crab landed, without reference to a specific zone. Individuals on the list who originally received permits will be deleted from the list. (2) The RA will offer in writing an opportunity to apply for a permit for the northern zone to the individuals highest on the list until two individuals accept and apply in a timely manner. An offer that is not accepted within 30 days after it is received will no longer be valid. (3) An application for a permit from an individual who accepts the RA's offer must be received by the RA no later than 30 days after the date of the individual's acceptance. Application forms are available from the RA. (4) A vessel permit for the northern zone issued under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, and any successor permit, may not be changed to another zone. A successor permit includes a permit issued to that vessel for a subsequent owner and a permit issued via transfer from that vessel to another vessel. (b) Fishing zones —(1) Designation of fishing zones. The South Atlantic EEZ is divided into three fishing zones for golden crab as follows: (i) Northern zone—the South Atlantic EEZ north of 28° N. lat. (ii) Middle zone—the South Atlantic EEZ from 28° N. lat. to 25° N. lat. (iii) Southern zone—the South Atlantic EEZ south of 25° N. lat. (2) Authorization to fish in zones. Each vessel permit indica… | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.242 Recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014] | (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators. (1) The owner or operator of a vessel for which a commercial permit for golden crab has been issued, as required under § 622.240(a), who is selected to report by the SRD must maintain a fishing record on a form available from the SRD. (2) Reporting forms required in paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 30 days after sale of the golden crab offloaded from a trip. If no fishing occurred during a calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted on one of the forms postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of that month. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions. (b) Dealers. A dealer who first receives South Atlantic golden crab must maintain records and submit information as specified in § 622.5(c). | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.243 Gear identification. | FWS | (a) Golden crab traps and associated buoys —(1) Golden crab traps. A golden crab trap used or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ or on board a vessel with a commercial permit for golden crab must have the commercial vessel permit number permanently affixed so as to be easily distinguished, located, and identified; an identification tag issued by the RA may be used for this purpose but is not required. (2) Associated buoys. In the South Atlantic EEZ, buoys are not required to be used, but, if used, each buoy must display the official number assigned by the RA so as to be easily distinguished, located, and identified. (3) Presumption of ownership. A golden crab trap in the EEZ will be presumed to be the property of the most recently documented owner. This presumption will not apply with respect to such traps that are lost or sold if the owner reports the loss or sale within 15 days to the RA. (4) Unmarked golden crab traps. An unmarked golden crab trap or a buoy deployed in the EEZ where such trap or buoy is required to be marked is illegal and may be disposed of in any appropriate manner by the Assistant Administrator or an authorized officer. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.244 At-sea observer coverage. | FWS | (a) Required coverage. A vessel for which a Federal commercial permit for golden crab has been issued must carry a NMFS-approved observer, if the vessel's trip is selected by the SRD for observer coverage. (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days in advance of each trip of the following: (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time). (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date). (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must: (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those provided to the crew. (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's communications equipment and personnel upon request for the transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties. (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's position. (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish. (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and distribution of fish for that trip. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.245 Prohibited species. | FWS | (a) General. The harvest and possession restrictions of this section apply without regard to whether the species is harvested by a vessel operating under a commercial vessel permit. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for the limit applicable to that vessel. (b) Female golden crabs. It is intended that no female golden crabs in or from the South Atlantic EEZ be retained on board a vessel and that any female golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ be released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival. However, to accommodate legitimate incidental catch and retention, the number of female golden crabs in or from the South Atlantic EEZ retained on board a vessel may not exceed 0.5 percent, by number, of all golden crabs on board. See § 622.250(a) regarding the prohibition of sale of female golden crabs. (c) Snapper-grouper aboard a golden crab vessel. South Atlantic snapper-grouper may not be possessed in whole, gutted, or filleted form by a person aboard a vessel fishing for or possessing golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ or possessing a golden crab trap in the South Atlantic. Only the head, fins, and backbone (collectively the “rack”) of South Atlantic snapper-grouper may be possessed for use as bait. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.246 Area closures. | FWS | (a) Golden crab trap closed areas. In the golden crab northern zone, a golden crab trap may not be deployed in waters less than 900 ft (274 m) deep. In the golden crab middle and southern zones, a golden crab trap may not be deployed in waters less than 700 ft (213 m) deep. See § 622.241(b)(1) for specification of the golden crab zones. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.247 Landing golden crab intact. | FWS | The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that golden crab on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact through offloading ashore. (a) A golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ must be maintained in whole condition through landing ashore. For the purposes of this paragraph, whole means a crab that is in its natural condition and that has not been gutted or separated into component pieces, e.g., clusters. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.11.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | L | Subpart L—Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.248 Authorized gear. | FWS | (a) Traps. Traps are the only fishing gear authorized in directed fishing for golden crab in the South Atlantic EEZ. Golden crab in or from the South Atlantic EEZ may not be retained on board a vessel possessing or using unauthorized gear. (b) Buoy line or mainline. Rope is the only material allowed to be used for a buoy line or mainline attached to a golden crab trap. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.270 Permits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014; 87 FR 19018, Apr. 1, 2022] | (a) Commercial vessel permits. (1) For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for exemption from the bag and possession limits for dolphin or wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ or to sell such dolphin or wahoo, a commercial vessel permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo must be issued to the vessel and must be on board, except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (2) The provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section notwithstanding, a fishing vessel, except a vessel operating as a charter vessel or headboat, that does not have a commercial vessel permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo but has a Federal commercial vessel permit in any other fishery, is exempt from the bag and possession limits for dolphin and wahoo and may sell dolphin and wahoo, subject to the trip and geographical limits specified in § 622.278(a)(3). (A charter vessel/headboat permit is not a commercial vessel permit.) (b) Charter vessel/headboat permits. (1) For a person aboard a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat to fish for or possess Atlantic dolphin or wahoo, in or from the Atlantic EEZ, a valid charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. (2) A charter vessel or headboat may have both a charter vessel/headboat permit and a commercial vessel permit. However, when a vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, a person aboard must adhere to the bag limits. See the definitions of “Charter vessel” and “Headboat” in § 622.2 for an explanation of when vessels are considered to be operating as a charter vessel or headboat, respectively. (c) [Reserved] (d) Dealer permits and conditions —(1) Permits. For a dealer to first receive Atlantic dolphin or wahoo harvested in or from the EEZ, a Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit must be issued to the dealer. (2) State license and facility requirements. To obtain a dealer permit, the applicant must have a valid state wholesaler's license in the state(s) where the dealer operat… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.279 Restrictions on sale/purchase. | FWS | [79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014, as amended at 80 FR 80689, Dec. 28, 2015] | (a) Dolphin or wahoo harvested in or from the Atlantic EEZ or adjoining state waters by a vessel that has a valid commercial vessel permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, as required under § 622.270(a)(1), or by a vessel authorized a 200-lb (91-kg) trip limit for dolphin or wahoo, as specified in § 622.278(a)(2), may be sold or transferred only to a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.270(d)(1). (b) In addition to the provisions of paragraph (a)(1) of this section, a person may not sell dolphin or wahoo possessed under the recreational bag limit harvested in the Atlantic EEZ or adjoining state waters by a vessel while it is operating as a charter vessel or headboat. A dolphin or wahoo harvested or possessed by a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat with a Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo may not be purchased or sold if harvested in or from the Atlantic EEZ or adjoining state waters. (c) Dolphin or wahoo harvested in or from the Atlantic EEZ may be first received only by a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.270(d)(1), and only from a vessel authorized to sell dolphin and wahoo under paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (d) Dolphin or wahoo possessed pursuant to the bag and possession limits specified in § 622.277(a)(1)(ii) and (a)(2)(ii) may not be sold or purchased. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.280 Annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs). | FWS | [79 FR 32879, June 9, 2014, as amended at 81 FR 3746, Jan. 22, 2016; 87 FR 19019, Apr. 1, 2022] | (a) Atlantic dolphin —(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial landings for Atlantic dolphin, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL of 1,719,953 lb (780,158 kg), round weight, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for the remainder of the fishing year. On and after the effective date of such a notification, all sale or purchase of Atlantic dolphin is prohibited and harvest or possession of Atlantic dolphin in or from the Atlantic EEZ is limited to the bag and possession limits. These bag and possession limits apply in the Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, i.e., in state or Federal waters. (ii) In addition to the measures specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section, if the combined Atlantic dolphin commercial and recreational landings exceed the combined commercial and recreational ACLs specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(2)(i) of this section, and Atlantic dolphin are overfished, based on the most recent Status of U.S. Fisheries Report to Congress, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the following fishing year, to reduce the commercial ACL for that following year by the amount of the commercial overage in the prior fishing year. (2) Recreational sector. If the total ACL specified in paragraph (a)(3) of this section is exceeded in a fishing year, then during the following fishing year, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to reduce the length of the recreational fishing season by the amount necessary to ensure that the recreational ACL is not exceeded during the fishing year following the total ACL overage. However, the recreational fishing season will not be reduced in the following fishing year if NMFS determines, based on the best… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.281 Adjustment of management measures. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 32880, June 9, 2014; 85 FR 10340, Feb. 24, 2020; 89 FR 276, Jan. 3, 2024] | In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic, the RA may establish or modify the following items specified in paragraph (a) of this section for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. (a) Biomass levels, age-structured analyses, maximum sustainable yield, optimum yield, overfishing limit, total allowable catch, acceptable biological catch (ABC), ABC control rule, annual catch limits, annual catch targets, accountability measures, trip limits, minimum sizes, gear regulations and restrictions, permit requirements, seasonal or area closures, sub-zones and their management measures, overfishing definitions and other status determination criteria, time frame for recovery of Atlantic dolphin or wahoo if overfished, fishing year (adjustment not to exceed 2 months), authority for the Regional Administrator to close a fishery when a quota is reached or is projected to be reached or reopen a fishery when additional quota becomes available, definitions of essential fish habitat (EFH), EFH habitat areas of particular concern (HAPCs), or coral HAPCs, and allow transfer of the unharvested total or sector ACL to the following fishing year. (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.271 Recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 78781, Dec. 27, 2013; 79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014; 85 FR 10340, Feb. 24, 2020] | (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators —(1) Reporting requirement. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been issued, as required under § 622.270(a)(1), or whose vessel fishes for or lands Atlantic dolphin or wahoo in or from state waters adjoining the Atlantic EEZ, who is selected to report by the SRD must maintain a fishing record on a form available from the SRD and must submit such record as specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (2) Reporting deadlines. Completed fishing records required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of each fishing trip. If no fishing occurred during a calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted on one of the forms postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of that month. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions. (b) Charter vessel/headboat owners and operators —(1) General reporting requirement —(i) Charter vessels. The owner or operator of a charter vessel for which a charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been issued, as required under § 622.270(b)(1), and whose vessel is operating as a charter vessel, must record all fish harvested and discarded, and any other information requested by the SRD for each trip, and submit an electronic fishing report within the time period specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. The electronic fishing report must be submitted to the SRD via NMFS-approved hardware and software, as specified in paragraph (b)(5) of this section. If the owner or operator subject to this paragraph (b)(1)(i) has been issued a Federal permit that requires more restrictive reporting requirements, as determined by NMFS and posted on the NMFS Southeast Region website, reporting under those more restrictive regulations will meet the requirements of this paragraph (b)(1)(i). (ii) Headboats. The owner or operator of a headboat fo… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.272 Authorized gear. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 87 FR 19018, Apr. 1, 2022; 90 FR 38004, Aug. 7, 2025] | (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo —(1) Authorized gear. Except as allowed in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the following are the only authorized gear types in the fishery for dolphin and wahoo in the Atlantic EEZ: Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic longline, rod and reel, and spearfishing gear (including powerheads). A person aboard a vessel in the Atlantic EEZ that has on board gear types other than authorized gear types may not possess a dolphin or wahoo. (2) Trap, pot, and buoy gear authorization. A vessel in the Atlantic EEZ that possesses both a valid Federal commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo and any Federal commercial permit(s) required that allow a vessel to fish using trap, pot, or buoy gear or that is in compliance with the permitting requirements for the spiny lobster fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic as described at § 622.400, is authorized to retain both dolphin and wahoo harvested by rod and reel while in possession of trap, pot, or buoy gear. See § 622.278(a)(2)(ii) for the amount of dolphin that may be retained under the commercial trip limits as described in this paragraph (a)(2). See § 622.278(a)(1)(ii) for the amount of wahoo that may be retained under the commercial trip limits as described in this paragraph (a)(2). (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.273 Conservation measures for protected species. | FWS | (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo pelagic longliners. The owner or operator of a vessel for which a commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo has been issued, as required under § 622.270(a)(1), and that has on board a pelagic longline must post inside the wheelhouse the sea turtle handling and release guidelines provided by NMFS. Such owner or operator must also comply with the sea turtle bycatch mitigation measures, including gear requirements and sea turtle handling requirements, as specified in § 635.21(c)(5)(i) and (ii) of this chapter, respectively. For the purpose of this paragraph, a vessel is considered to have pelagic longline gear on board when a power-operated longline hauler, a mainline, floats capable of supporting the mainline, and leaders (gangions) with hooks are on board. Removal of any one of these elements constitutes removal of pelagic longline gear. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.274 Pelagic longline closed areas. | FWS | (a) If pelagic longline gear is on board a vessel, a person aboard such vessel may not fish for or retain a dolphin or wahoo— (1) In the Northeastern United States closed area from June 1 through June 30 each year. The Northeastern United States closed area is that portion of the EEZ between 40° N. lat. and 39° N. lat. from 68° W. long. to 74° W. long. (2) In the Charleston Bump closed area from February 1 through April 30 each year. The Charleston Bump closed area is that portion of the EEZ off North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia between 34° N. lat. and 31° N. lat. and west of 76° W. long. (3) In the East Florida Coast closed area year round. The East Florida Coast closed area is that portion of the EEZ off Georgia and the east coast of Florida from the inner boundary of the EEZ at 31° N. lat.; thence due east to 78° W. long.; thence by a rhumb line to 28°17′ N. lat., 79°12′ W. long.; thence proceeding in a southerly direction along the outer boundary of the EEZ to 24° N. lat.; thence due west to 24° N. lat., 81°47′ W. long.; thence due north to the innermost boundary of the EEZ at 81°47′ W. long. (b) A vessel is considered to have pelagic longline gear on board when a power-operated longline hauler, a mainline, floats capable of supporting the mainline, and gangions with hooks are on board. Removal of any one of these elements constitutes removal of pelagic longline gear. (c) If a vessel is in a closed area during a time specified in paragraph (a) of this section with pelagic longline gear on board, it is a rebuttable presumption that fish on board such vessel were taken with pelagic longline gear in the closed area. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.275 Size limits. | FWS | All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit, as specified in this section, in or from the Atlantic EEZ, may not be possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its size limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that fish on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this section. (a) Dolphin in the Atlantic off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina —20 inches (50.8 cm), fork length. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.276 Landing fish intact. | FWS | [80 FR 80689, Dec. 28, 2015] | (a) Dolphin or wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ must be maintained with head and fins intact, except as specified in paragraph (b) of this section. Such fish may be eviscerated, gilled, and scaled, but must otherwise be maintained in a whole condition. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact through offloading ashore, as specified in this section. (b) In the Atlantic EEZ, dolphin or wahoo lawfully harvested in Bahamian waters are exempt from the requirement that they be maintained with head and fins intact, provided that the skin remains intact on the entire fillet of any dolphin or wahoo carcasses, valid Bahamian fishing and cruising permits are on board the vessel, each person on the vessel has a valid government passport with current stamps and dates from The Bahamas, and the vessel is in transit through the Atlantic EEZ with fishing gear appropriately stowed. For the purpose of this paragraph, a vessel is in transit through the Atlantic EEZ when it is on a direct and continuous course through the Atlantic EEZ and no one aboard the vessel fishes in the EEZ. For the purpose of this paragraph, fishing gear appropriately stowed means that terminal gear ( i.e., hook, leader, sinker, flasher, or bait) used with an automatic reel, bandit gear, buoy gear, handline, or rod and reel must be disconnected and stowed separately from such fishing gear. Sinkers must be disconnected from the down rigger and stowed separately. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.277 Bag and possession limits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 80689, Dec. 28, 2015; 87 FR 19019, Apr. 1, 2022] | Section 622.11(a) provides the general applicability for bag and possession limits. (a) Atlantic dolphin and wahoo. Bag and possession limits are as follows: (1) Dolphin. (i) In the Atlantic EEZ—10, not to exceed 54 per vessel, whichever is less, except on board a headboat, 10 per paying passenger. (ii) In the Atlantic EEZ and lawfully harvested in Bahamian waters (as per § 622.276(b))—10, not to exceed 60 per vessel, whichever is less, except on board a headboat, 10 per paying passenger. For the purposes of this paragraph, for determining how many dolphin are on board a vessel in fillet form when harvested lawfully in Bahamian waters, two fillets of dolphin, regardless of the length of each fillet, is equivalent to one dolphin. The skin must remain intact on the entire fillet of any dolphin carcass. (2) Wahoo. (i) In the Atlantic EEZ—2. (ii) In the Atlantic EEZ and lawfully harvested in Bahamian waters (as per § 622.276(b))—2. For the purposes of this paragraph, for determining how many wahoo are on board a vessel in fillet form when harvested lawfully in Bahamian waters, two fillets of wahoo, regardless of the length of each fillet, is equivalent to one wahoo. The skin must remain intact on the entire fillet of any wahoo carcass. (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.12.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | M | Subpart M—Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the Atlantic | § 622.278 Commercial trip limits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 81 FR 96930, Dec. 30, 2016; 87 FR 19019, Apr. 1, 2022] | Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of Atlantic dolphin and wahoo that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold from a vessel per day. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a trip limit specified in this section with any trip or possession limit applicable to state waters. A species subject to a trip limit specified in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at sea, regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species may not be transferred in the EEZ. Commercial trip limits apply as follows (all weights are round or eviscerated weights unless specified otherwise): (a) Trip-limited permits —(1) Atlantic wahoo. (i) When using the fishing gear for wahoo and as authorized under § 622.272(a)(1), the trip limit for wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ is 500 lb (227 kg). This trip limit applies to a vessel that has a Federal commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, provided that the vessel is not operating as a charter vessel or headboat. (ii) When using the fishing gear for wahoo and as authorized and permitted as described under § 622.272(a)(2), the trip limit for wahoo in or from the Atlantic EEZ is 500 lb (227 kg). The trip limit in this paragraph (a)(1)(ii) may not be combined with the trip limit specified in paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section. (iii) See § 622.280(b)(1) for the limitations regarding wahoo after the ACL is reached. (2) Atlantic dolphin. (i) Once 75 percent of the ACL specified in § 622.280(a)(1)(i) is reached, the trip limit is 4,000 lb (1,814 kg), round weight. When the conditions in this paragraph (a)(3)(i) have been met, the Assistant Administrator will implement this trip limit by filing a notification with the Office of the Federal Register. This trip limit applies to a vessel that has a Federal commercial permit for Atlantic dolphin and wahoo, provided that the vessel is not operating as a charter vessel or headboat. (ii) When using the fishing gear for dolphin and as authorized and permitted as described under § 62… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.13.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | N | Subpart N—Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.300 At-sea observer coverage. | FWS | (a) Required coverage. (1) A vessel that harvests or possesses pelagic sargassum on any trip in the South Atlantic EEZ must carry a NMFS-approved observer. (2) [Reserved] (b) Notification to the SRD. When observer coverage is required, an owner or operator must advise the SRD in writing not less than 5 days in advance of each trip of the following: (1) Departure information (port, dock, date, and time). (2) Expected landing information (port, dock, and date). (c) Observer accommodations and access. An owner or operator of a vessel on which a NMFS-approved observer is embarked must: (1) Provide accommodations and food that are equivalent to those provided to the crew. (2) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's communications equipment and personnel upon request for the transmission and receipt of messages related to the observer's duties. (3) Allow the observer access to and use of the vessel's navigation equipment and personnel upon request to determine the vessel's position. (4) Allow the observer free and unobstructed access to the vessel's bridge, working decks, holding bins, weight scales, holds, and any other space used to hold, process, weigh, or store fish. (5) Allow the observer to inspect and copy the vessel's log, communications logs, and any records associated with the catch and distribution of fish for that trip. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.13.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | N | Subpart N—Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.301 Area and seasonal restrictions. | FWS | (a) Pelagic sargassum area and seasonal restrictions —(1) Area restrictions. (i) No person may harvest pelagic sargassum in the South Atlantic EEZ between 36°33′01.0″ N. lat. (directly east from the Virginia/North Carolina boundary) and 34° N. lat., within 100 nautical miles east of the North Carolina coast. (ii) No person may harvest or possess pelagic sargassum in or from the South Atlantic EEZ south of 34° N. lat. (2) Seasonal restriction. No person may harvest or possess pelagic sargassum in or from the South Atlantic EEZ during the months of July through October. This prohibition on possession does not apply to pelagic sargassum that was harvested and landed ashore prior to the closed period. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.13.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | N | Subpart N—Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.302 Minimum mesh size. | FWS | (a) The minimum allowable mesh size for a net used to fish for pelagic sargassum in the South Atlantic EEZ is 4.0 inches (10.2 cm), stretched mesh, and such net must be attached to a frame no larger than 4 ft by 6 ft (1.2 m by 1.8 m). A vessel in the South Atlantic EEZ with a net on board that does not meet these requirements may not possess any pelagic sargassum. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.13.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | N | Subpart N—Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the South Atlantic Region | § 622.303 Quotas. | FWS | See § 622.8 for general provisions regarding quota applicability and closure and reopening procedures. This section provides quotas and specific quota closure restrictions for South Atlantic pelagic sargassum. (a) Quota. The quota for all persons who harvest pelagic sargassum in the South Atlantic EEZ is 5,000 lb (2,268 kg), wet, landed weight. See § 622.301(a) for area and seasonal limitations on the harvest of pelagic sargassum. (b) Restrictions applicable after a quota closure. Pelagic sargassum may not be fished for or possessed in the South Atlantic EEZ and the sale or purchase of pelagic sargassum in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is prohibited. The prohibition on sale/purchase during a closure for pelagic sargassum does not apply to pelagic sargassum that was harvested and landed ashore prior to the effective date of the closure. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.369 Description of zones. | FWS | [82 FR 17394, Apr. 11, 2017, as amended at 90 FR 38004, Aug. 7, 2025] | (a) Migratory groups of king mackerel. In the EEZ, king mackerel are divided into the Gulf migratory group and the Atlantic migratory group. The Gulf migratory group is bound by a line extending east of the U.S./Mexico border and a line extending east of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary. The Atlantic migratory group is bound by a line extending east of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary and a line from the intersection point of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York (as described in § 600.105(a) of this chapter). The zone boundaries remain in place year round. See Table 1 of this section for the boundary coordinates. See Figure 1 in Appendix G of this part for illustration. (1) Gulf migratory group. The Gulf migratory group is divided into western, northern, and southern zones. See Table 1 of this section for the boundary coordinates. See Figure 1 in Appendix G of this part for illustration. (i) Western zone. The western zone encompasses an area of the EEZ north of a line extending east of the US/Mexico border, and west of a line extending due south of the Alabama/Florida border, including the EEZ off Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. (ii) Northern zone. The northern zone encompasses an area of the EEZ east of a line extending due south of the Florida/Alabama border, and north of a line extending due west of the Lee/Collier County, FL, boundary. (iii) Southern zone. The southern zone encompasses an area of the EEZ south of a line extending due west of the Lee/Collier County, FL, boundary on the FL west coast, and south of a line extending due east of the Monroe/Miami-Dade County, FL, boundary on the FL east coast, which includes the EEZ off Collier and Monroe Counties, FL. (2) Atlantic migratory group. The Atlantic migratory group is divided into the northern and southern zones separated by a line extending from the North Carolina/South Carolina border, as specified in § 622.2. See Table 1 of this section for the boundary coordinates. See Figure 1 in Appendix G of thi… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.378 Seasonal closures of the Gulf migratory group king mackerel gillnet fishery. | FWS | [80 FR 4221, Jan. 27, 2015, as amended at 82 FR 17396, Apr. 11, 2017; 88 FR 61477, Sept. 7, 2023] | (a) Seasonal closure of the gillnet component for Gulf migratory group king mackerel. The gillnet component for Gulf migratory group king mackerel in or from the southern zone is closed each fishing year from July 1 until 6 a.m. eastern standard time on the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal holiday. During the closure, a person aboard a vessel using or possessing a gillnet with a stretched-mesh size of 4.75 inches (12.1 cm) or larger in the southern zone may not fish for or possess Gulf migratory group king mackerel. (See § 622.369(a)(1)(iii) for a description of the southern zone.) (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.379 Incidental catch allowances. | FWS | [82 FR 17397, Apr. 11, 2017, as amended at 82 FR 35660, Aug. 1, 2017] | (a) Purse seine incidental catch allowance. A vessel in the EEZ, or having fished in the EEZ, with a purse seine on board will not be considered as fishing, or having fished, for king or Spanish mackerel in violation of a prohibition of purse seines under § 622.375(b), in violation of the possession limits under § 622.375(b)(3), or, in the case of king mackerel from the Atlantic migratory group, in violation of a closure effected in accordance with § 622.8(b), provided the king mackerel on board does not exceed 1 percent, or the Spanish mackerel on board does not exceed 10 percent, of all fish on board the vessel. Incidental catch will be calculated by number and/or weight of fish. Neither calculation may exceed the allowable percentage. Incidentally caught king or Spanish mackerel are counted toward the quotas provided for under § 622.384 and are subject to the prohibition of sale under § 622.384(e)(2). (b) Shark gillnet incidental catch allowance. A vessel in the Atlantic EEZ with a valid Federal Atlantic commercial shark directed permit and a valid Federal king mackerel commercial permit that is engaged in directed shark fishing with gillnets that are not an authorized gear for Atlantic migratory group king mackerel (See § 622.375(a)(1)(i)), may retain and sell a limited number of king mackerel. Any king mackerel retained must be sold to a dealer with a valid Federal Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit. (1) Northern zone. No more than three king mackerel per crew member may be retained or sold per trip (See § 622.385(a)(1)(i) for the commercial trip limit for directed king mackerel trips using authorized gillnets (in the Atlantic EEZ north of 34°37.3′ N. lat., the latitude of Cape Lookout, NC)). (2) Southern zone. No more than two king mackerel per crew member may be retained or sold per trip. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.380 Size limits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 82 FR 36347, Aug. 4, 2017; 84 FR 4736, Feb. 19, 2019; 85 FR 10331, Feb. 24, 2020; 87 FR 63966, Oct. 21, 2022] | All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit, as specified in this section, in or from the Gulf, South Atlantic, or Mid-Atlantic EEZ, as appropriate, may not be possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its size limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that fish on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this section. (a) Cobia —(1) Gulf migratory group. (i) Gulf zone —36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length. (ii) Florida east coast zone. 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length. (2) [Reserved] (b) King mackerel in the Gulf, South Atlantic, or Mid-Atlantic—24 inches (61.0 cm), fork length, except that a vessel fishing under a quota for king mackerel specified in § 622.384(b) may possess undersized king mackerel in quantities not exceeding 5 percent, by weight, of the king mackerel on board. (c) Spanish mackerel in the Gulf, South Atlantic, or Mid-Atlantic—12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length, except that a vessel fishing under a quota for Spanish mackerel specified in § 622.384(c) may possess undersized Spanish mackerel in quantities not exceeding 5 percent, by weight, of the Spanish mackerel on board. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.13 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.381 Landing fish intact. | FWS | [88 FR 29847, May 9, 2023] | (a) Intact fish requirement. Cobia in or from the Gulf and in the South Atlantic EEZ south of a line extending due east from the Florida/Georgia border, and king mackerel and Spanish mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, except as specified for king mackerel and Spanish mackerel in paragraph (b) of this section, must be maintained with head and fins intact. Such fish may be eviscerated, gilled, and scaled, but must otherwise be maintained in a whole condition. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that fish on that vessel in the EEZ are maintained intact and, if taken from the EEZ, are maintained intact through offloading ashore, as specified in this section. (b) Damaged king or Spanish mackerel. (1) Commercial. Damaged king or Spanish mackerel in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic EEZ that comply with the minimum size limits in § 622.380(b) and (c), respectively, and the trip limits in § 622.385(a) and (b), respectively, may be possessed in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ on, and offloaded ashore from, a vessel that is operating under the respective trip limits. Such damaged fish also may be sold. A maximum of five additional damaged king mackerel, not subject to the size limits or trip limits, may be possessed or offloaded ashore but may not be sold or purchased and are not counted against the trip limit. For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(1), damaged fish, refers to king or Spanish mackerel that are damaged only through natural predation. (2) Recreational. Damaged king or Spanish mackerel in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic EEZ that comply with the minimum size limits § 622.380(b) and (c), respectively, and the recreational bag and possession limits in § 622.382(a), may be possessed in the Mid-Atlantic or South Atlantic EEZ on, and offloaded ashore from, a vessel that is operating under the respective bag and possession limits. For the purposes of this paragraph (b)(2), damaged fish, refers to king or Span… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.14 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.382 Bag and possession limits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 82 FR 17397, Apr. 11, 2017; 82 FR 36347, Aug. 4, 2017; 84 FR 4736, Feb. 19, 2019; 86 FR 11155, Feb. 24, 2021; 87 FR 23150, Apr. 19, 2022; 87 FR 56237, Sept. 13, 2022; 87 FR 63966, Oct. 21, 2022; 88 FR 29847, May 9, 2023] | Section 622.11(a) provides the general applicability for bag and possession limits. (a) King mackerel and Spanish mackerel —(1) Bag limits. (i) Atlantic migratory group king mackerel—3. (ii) Gulf migratory group king mackerel—3. (iii) Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel—15. (iv) Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel—15. (v) Coastal migratory pelagic fish within certain South Atlantic SMZs—§ 622.11(a) notwithstanding, all harvest and possession of coastal migratory pelagic fish within the South Atlantic SMZs specified in § 622.182(a)(1)(i) through (xi) and (a)(1)(xxii) through (xxxix) is limited to the bag limits specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (iv) of this section. (2) Possession limits —(i) Possession limits for vessels with a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish. A person who is on a trip that spans more than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits, provided such trip is on a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, the vessel has two licensed operators aboard, and each passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the length of the trip. (ii) Possession limits for vessels with a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish. A person who is on a trip that spans more than 30 hours may possess, at any time during the trip, no more than two daily bag limits of Gulf king and Spanish mackerel, provided such trip is on a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, the vessel has two licensed operators aboard, each passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the date and time of departure and length of the trip, and the entire trip occurs on days when the harvest and possession of the applicable coastal migratory pelagic species are allowed. (b) Gulf migratory group cobia —(1) Bag limits. The following applies to persons who fish for cobia in the… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.15 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.383 [Reserved] | FWS | ||||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.16 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.384 Quotas. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 69060, Nov. 20, 2014; 80 FR 4221, Jan. 27, 2015; 82 FR 17397, Apr. 11, 2017; 82 FR 35660, Aug. 1, 2017; 84 FR 4736, Feb. 19, 2019; 87 FR 63966, Oct. 21, 2022; 87 FR 74990, Dec. 7, 2022; 88 FR 29848, May 9, 2023] | See § 622.8 for general provisions regarding quota applicability and closure and reopening procedures. See § 622.369 for the descriptions of the zones. This section provides quotas and specific quota closure restrictions for coastal migratory pelagic fish. All weights are in round and eviscerated weight combined, unless specified otherwise. (a) King and Spanish mackerel quotas apply to persons who fish under commercial vessel permits for king or Spanish mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a)(1) or (3). A fish is counted against the quota for the area where it is caught, not where it is landed. (b) King mackerel —(1) Gulf migratory group. The Gulf migratory group is divided into zones. The description of the zones is specified in § 622.369(a). Quotas for the western, northern, and southern zones are as follows: (i) Western zone. The quota is 1,199,360 lb (544,021 kg) for the 2021-2022 fishing year, 1,244,160 lb (564,341 kg) for the 2022-2023 fishing year, and 1,278,720 lb (580,018 kg) for the 2023-2024 fishing year and subsequent fishing years. (ii) Northern zone. The quota is 539,712 lb (244,809 kg) for the 2021-2022 fishing year, 559,872 lb (253,954 kg) for the 2022-2023 fishing year, and 575,424 lb (261,008 kg) for the 2023-2024 fishing year and subsequent fishing years. (iii) Southern zone. (A) The hook-and-line quota is 629,664 lb (285,611 kg) for the 2021-2022 fishing year, 653,184 lb (296,279 kg) for the 2022-2023 fishing year, and 671,328 lb (304,509 kg) for the 2023-2024 and subsequent fishing years. (B) The run-around gillnet quota is 629,664 lb (285,611 kg) for the 2021-2022 fishing year, 653,184 lb (296,279 kg) for the 2022-2023 fishing year, and 671,328 lb (304,509 kg) for the 2023-2024 and subsequent fishing years. (2) Atlantic migratory group. The Atlantic migratory group is divided into northern and southern zones. The descriptions of the zones are specified in § 622.369(a). Quotas for the northern and southern zones are as follows: (i) Northern zone. The quota is 2,663,507 l… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.17 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.385 Commercial trip limits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 68805, Nov. 19, 2014; 79 FR 69090, Nov. 20, 2014; 80 FR 4222, Jan. 27, 2014; 80 FR 40937, July 14, 2015; 80 FR 78675, Dec. 17, 2015; 82 FR 36347, Aug. 4, 2017; 84 FR 4736, Feb. 19, 2019; 84 FR 47904, Sept. 11, 2019; 84 FR 51438, Sept. 30, 2019; 85 FR 55594, Sept. 9, 2020; 87 FR 63966, Oct. 21, 2022] | Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of the applicable species that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold from a vessel per day. A person who fishes in the EEZ may not combine a trip limit specified in this section with any trip or possession limit applicable to state waters. Except for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel harvested by gillnet, as specified in § 622.377(b)(2)(vi), a species subject to a trip limit specified in this section taken in the EEZ may not be transferred at sea, regardless of where such transfer takes place, and such species may not be transferred in the EEZ. Commercial trip limits apply as follows (all weights are round or eviscerated weights unless specified otherwise): (a) King mackerel —(1) Atlantic migratory group. The following trip limits apply to vessels for which commercial permits for king mackerel have been issued, as required under § 622.370(a)(1): (i) North of 29°25′ N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Flagler/Volusia County, FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts exceeding 3,500 lb (1,588 kg). (ii) In the area between 29°25′ N lat., which is a line directly east from the Flagler/Volusia County, FL, boundary, and 28°47′48” N lat., which is a line directly east from the Volusia/Brevard County, FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts not to exceed: (A) From March 1 through March 31—75 fish. (B) From April 1 through September 30—3,500 lb (1,588 kg). (C) From October 1 through the end of February—100 fish. (iii) In the area between 28°47′48” N lat., which is a line directly east from the Volusia/Brevard County, FL, boundary, and 25°20′24” N lat., which is a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary, king mackerel in or from the EEZ may not be possessed on board or landed from a vessel in a day in amounts not to exceed: (A) From March 1 thr… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.18 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.386 Restrictions on sale/purchase. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 34250, June 16, 2014; 79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014; 80 FR 4222, Jan. 27, 2015; 82 FR 35660, Aug. 1, 2017; 87 FR 63966, Oct. 21, 2022] | The restrictions in this section are in addition to the restrictions on the sale or purchase related to commercial quota closures as specified in § 622.384(e)(2). (a) King and Spanish mackerel. A king or Spanish mackerel harvested or possessed in the EEZ on board a vessel that does not have a valid commercial vessel permit for king mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a)(1), or a valid commercial vessel permit for Spanish mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a)(3), or a king or Spanish mackerel harvested in the EEZ or possessed under the bag limits specified in § 622.382, may not be sold or purchased, except when harvested under the bag limits on board a vessel operating in the Gulf as a charter vessel or headboat and that vessel has both a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish, as required under § 622.370(b)(1), and a valid commercial vessel permit for king mackerel or Spanish mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a)(1), as appropriate to the species harvested or possessed. (b) Coastal migratory pelagic fish harvested in or from the EEZ or adjoining state waters by a vessel that has a valid Federal commercial vessel permit or a charter vessel/headboat permit may be sold or transferred only to a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.370(c)(1). (c) Dealer receipt of fish. King or Spanish mackerel harvested in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ may be first received by a dealer who has a valid Federal Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.370(c)(1), only from a vessel that has a valid Federal commercial vessel permit for king or Spanish mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a), or a valid Federal charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish, as required under § 622.370(b). (d) Cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel. A person may not sell or purchase a cut-off (damaged) king or Spanish mackerel that does not comply with the minimum size limits… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.19 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.387 [Reserved] | FWS | ||||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.370 Permits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014; 79 FR 34250, June 16, 2014; 82 FR 17396, Apr. 11, 2017] | (a) Commercial vessel permits —(1) King mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for exemption from the bag limits, to fish under a quota, or to sell king mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. See § 622.371 regarding a limited access system applicable to commercial vessel permits for king mackerel and transfers of permits under the limited access system. (2) Gillnets for king mackerel in the Gulf southern zone. For a person aboard a vessel to use a run-around gillnet for king mackerel in the southern zone (see § 622.369(a)(1)(iii)), a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel and a king mackerel gillnet permit must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. See § 622.372 regarding a limited access system applicable to king mackerel gillnet permits in the southern zone and restrictions on transferability of king mackerel gillnet permits. (3) Spanish mackerel. For a person aboard a vessel to be eligible for exemption from the bag limits, to fish under a quota, or to sell Spanish mackerel in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ, a commercial vessel permit for Spanish mackerel must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. (b) Charter vessel/headboat permits. (1) For a person aboard a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat to fish for or possess, in or from the EEZ, Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish, a valid charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish or Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish, respectively, must have been issued to the vessel and must be on board. (i) See § 622.373 regarding a limited access system for charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish. (ii) A charter vessel or headboat may have both a charter vessel/headboat permit and a commercial vessel permit. However, when a vessel is operat… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.20 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.388 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures (AMs). | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 69060, Nov. 20, 2014; 80 FR 4222, Jan. 27, 2015; 80 FR 10007, Feb. 25, 2015; 80 FR 78675, Dec. 17, 2015; 82 FR 17399, Apr. 11, 2017; 82 FR 36347, Aug. 4, 2017; 84 FR 4737, Feb. 19, 2019; 87 FR 63966, Oct. 21, 2022; 87 FR 74990, Dec. 7, 2023; 88 FR 29848, May 9, 2023] | All weights are in round and eviscerated weight combined, unless specified otherwise. (a) Gulf migratory group king mackerel —(1) Commercial sector. (i) If commercial landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the applicable quota specified in § 622.384(b)(1), the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to close the commercial sector for that zone, or gear type for the remainder of the fishing year. (ii) The commercial ACL for the Gulf migratory group of king mackerel is 2,998,400 lb (1,360,051 kg) for the 2021-2022 fishing year, 3,110,400 lb (1,410,854 kg) for the 2022-2023 fishing year, and 3,196,800 lb (1,450,044 kg) for the 2023-2024 and subsequent fishing years. The ACL is further divided into a commercial ACL for vessels fishing with hook-and-line and a commercial ACL for vessels fishing with run-around gillnets. The hook-and-line ACL (which applies to the entire Gulf) is 2,368,736 lb (1,074,441 kg) for the 2021-2022 fishing year, 2,457,216 lb (1,114,574 kg) for the 2022-2023 fishing year, and 2,525,472 lb (1,145,535 kg) for the 2023-2024 and subsequent fishing years. The run-around gillnet ACL (which applies to the southern zone) is 629,664 lb (285,611 kg) for the 2021-2022 fishing year, 653,184 lb (296,279 kg) for the 2022-2023 fishing year, and 671,328 lb (304,509 kg) for the 2023-2024 and subsequent fishing years. (iii) If commercial landings of Gulf migratory group king mackerel caught by run-around gillnet in the southern zone, as estimated by the SRD, exceed the commercial ACL, the AA will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register to reduce the commercial ACL for king mackerel harvested by run-around gillnet in the southern zone in the following fishing year by the amount of the commercial ACL overage in the prior fishing year. (2) Recreational sector. If recreational landings, as estimated by the SRD, reach or are projected to reach the recreational ACL of 6,371,600 lb (2,890,109 kg) for the 2021-2022 fishing year, 6,609,… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.21 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.389 Adjustment of management measures. | FWS | [80 FR 4224, Jan. 27, 2015] | In accordance with the framework procedures of the FMP for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources, the RA may establish or modify, and the applicable council is required to approve, the following items specified in paragraph (a) of this section for coastal migratory pelagic fish. (Note: The applicable council refers to the council whose jurisdiction applies to the management measures.) (a) For a species or species group: Reporting and monitoring requirements, permitting requirements, bag and possession limits (including a bag limit of zero), size limits, vessel trip limits, closed seasons or areas and reopenings, acceptable biological catches (ABCs) and ABC control rules, annual catch limits (ACLs) and ACL control rules, accountability measures (AMs), annual catch targets (ACTs), quotas (including a quota of zero), MSY (or proxy), OY, management parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, gear restrictions (ranging from regulation to complete prohibition), gear markings and identification, vessel markings and identification, rebuilding plans, and restrictions relative to conditions of harvested fish (maintaining fish in whole condition, use as bait). (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.371 Limited access system for commercial vessel permits for king mackerel. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 34250, June 16, 2014; 80 FR 78674, Dec. 17, 2015; 85 FR 22045, Apr. 21, 2020] | (a) No applications for additional commercial vessel permits for king mackerel will be accepted. Existing vessel permits may be renewed, are subject to the restrictions on transfer or change in paragraph (b) of this section, and are subject to the requirement for timely renewal in paragraph (c) of this section. (b) An owner of a permitted vessel may transfer the commercial vessel permit for king mackerel issued under this limited access system to another vessel owned by the same entity. A permit holder may also transfer the commercial vessel permit for king mackerel to the owner of another vessel or to a new vessel owner when he or she transfers ownership of the permitted vessel. (c) NMFS will not reissue a commercial vessel permit for king mackerel if the permit is revoked or if the RA does not receive an application for renewal within one year of the permit's expiration date. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.372 Limited access system for king mackerel gillnet permits applicable in the Gulf southern zone. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 78674, Dec. 17, 2015; 80 FR 80686, Dec. 28, 2015] | (a) Except for applications for renewals of king mackerel gillnet permits, no applications for king mackerel gillnet permits will be accepted. Application forms for permit renewal are available from the RA. (b) An owner of a vessel with a king mackerel gillnet permit issued under this limited access system may transfer that permit upon a change of ownership of a permitted vessel with such permit from one to another of the following: Husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, or father. Such permit also may be transferred to another vessel owned by the same entity. (c) A king mackerel gillnet permit that is not renewed or that is revoked will not be reissued. A permit is considered to be not renewed when an application for renewal is not received by the RA within one year after the expiration date of the permit. (d) Renewal criteria for a king mackerel gillnet permit. A king mackerel gillnet permit may be renewed only if NMFS determines at least 1 year of landings from 2006 to 2015 associated with that permit was greater than 1 lb (0.45 kg), round or gutted weight. (1) Initial determination. On or about December 24, 2015, the RA will mail each king mackerel gillnet permittee a letter via certified mail, return receipt requested, to the permittee's address of record as listed in NMFS' permit files, advising the permittee whether the permit is eligible for renewal. A permittee who does not receive a letter from the RA, must contact the RA no later than December 31, 2015, to clarify the renewal status of the permit. A permittee who is advised that the permit is not renewable based on the RA's determination of eligibility and who disagrees with that determination may appeal that determination. (2) Procedure for appealing landings information. The only item subject to appeal is the landings used to determine whether the permit is eligible for renewal. Appeals based on hardship factors will not be considered. Any appeal under this regulation will be processed by the NMFS National Appeals Office. A… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.373 Limited access system for charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended 78 FR 46293, July 31, 2013; 85 FR 22045, Apr. 21, 2020; 85 FR 44019, July 21, 2020; 88 FR 42272, June 30, 2023] | (a) General. No applications for additional charter vessel/headboat permits for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish will be accepted. Existing permits may be renewed, are subject to the restrictions on transfer in paragraph (b) of this section, and are subject to the renewal requirements in paragraph (c) of this section. An eligible charter vessel/headboat permit with a historical captain endorsement may be converted to a charter vessel/headboat permit without a historical captain endorsement, per procedures at paragraph (f) of this section. (b) Transfer of permits —(1) Permits without a historical captain endorsement. A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish that does not have a historical captain endorsement is fully transferable, with or without sale of the permitted vessel. (2) Permits with a historical captain endorsement. A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish that has a historical captain endorsement may only be transferred to a vessel operated by the historical captain and is not otherwise transferable. (3) Procedure for permit transfer. To request that the RA transfer a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish, the owner of the vessel who is transferring the permit and the owner of the vessel that is to receive the transferred permit must complete the transfer information on the reverse side of the permit and return the permit and a completed application for transfer to the RA. See § 622.4(f) for additional transfer-related requirements applicable to all permits issued under this section. (c) Renewal. (1) Renewal of a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish is contingent upon compliance with the recordkeeping and reporting requirements specified in § 622.374(b). (2) A charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish that is not renewed or that is revoked will not be reissued. A permit is considered to be not renewed when an application for re… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.374 Recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 6100, Feb. 3, 2014; 79 FR 19496, Apr. 9, 2014; 82 FR 17396, Apr. 11, 2017; 85 FR 10339, Feb. 24, 2020; 85 FR 44017, July 21, 2020; 90 FR 38004, Aug. 7, 2025] | (a) Commercial vessel owners and operators. The owner or operator of a vessel that fishes for or lands coastal migratory pelagic fish for sale in or from the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ or adjoining state waters, or whose vessel is issued a commercial permit for king or Spanish mackerel, as required under § 622.370(a)(1) or (3), respectively, who is selected to report by the SRD, must maintain a fishing record on a form available from the SRD. These completed fishing records must be submitted to the SRD postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of each fishing trip. If no fishing occurred during a calendar month, a report so stating must be submitted on one of the forms postmarked not later than 7 days after the end of that month. Information to be reported is indicated on the form and its accompanying instructions. (b) Charter vessel/headboat owners and operators —(1) General reporting requirement —(i) Gulf of America. The owner or operator of a charter vessel or headboat for which a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish has been issued, as required under § 622.370(b)(1), and whose vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, regardless of fishing location, must submit an electronic fishing report of all fish harvested and discarded, and any other information requested by the SRD for each trip within the time period specified in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this section. An electronic fishing report must be submitted to the SRD via NMFS approved hardware and software, as specified in paragraph (b)(5)(i) of this section. If selected by the SRD, the owner or operator of a vessel for which a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf coastal migratory pelagic fish has been issued must report via the NMFS approved software for the Southeast Region Headboat Survey. (ii) Atlantic —(A) Charter vessels. The owner or operator of a charter vessel for which a charter vessel/headboat permit for Atlantic coastal migratory pelagic fish has been issued, as required … | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.375 Authorized and unauthorized gear. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 80 FR 4221, Jan. 27, 2015; 82 FR 17396, Apr. 11, 2017; 84 FR 4736, Feb. 19, 2019] | (a) Authorized gear —(1) King and Spanish mackerel. Subject to the prohibitions on gear/methods specified in § 622.9, the following are the only fishing gears that may be used in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic EEZ in directed fisheries for king and Spanish mackerel: (i) King mackerel, Atlantic migratory group —(A) North of 34°37.3′ N. lat., the latitude of Cape Lookout Light, NC—all gear except drift gillnet and long gillnet. (B) South of 34°37.3′ N. lat.—automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, and rod and reel. (ii) King mackerel, Gulf migratory group —hook-and-line gear and, in the southern zone only, run-around gillnet. (See § 622.369(a)(1)(iii) for a description of the southern zone.) (iii) Spanish mackerel, Atlantic migratory group —automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, rod and reel, cast net, run-around gillnet, and stab net. (iv) Spanish mackerel, Gulf migratory group —all gear except drift gillnet, long gillnet, and purse seine. (2) Cobia, Gulf migratory group. Subject to the prohibitions on gear/methods specified in § 622.9, the following are the only fishing gears that may be used in the Gulf EEZ, and in the South Atlantic EEZ south of a line extending due east from the Florida/Georgia border for cobia—all gear except drift gillnet and long gillnet. (b) Unauthorized gear. Gear types other than those specified in paragraph (a) of this section are unauthorized gear and the following possession limitations apply: (1) Long gillnets. A vessel with a long gillnet on board in, or that has fished on a trip in, the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ may not have on board on that trip a coastal migratory pelagic fish. (2) Drift gillnets. A vessel with a drift gillnet on board in, or that has fished on a trip in, the Gulf EEZ may not have on board on that trip a coastal migratory pelagic fish. (3) Other unauthorized gear. Except as specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section, a person aboard a vessel with unauthorized gear other than a drift gillnet in the Gulf EEZ o… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.376 Gear identification. | FWS | (a) Spanish mackerel gillnet buoys. On board a vessel with a valid Spanish mackerel permit that is fishing for Spanish mackerel in, or that possesses Spanish mackerel in or from, the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida north of 25°20.4′ N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary, the float line of each gillnet possessed, including any net in use, must have a maximum of nine distinctive floats, i.e., different from the usual net buoys, spaced uniformly at a distance of 100 yd (91.4 m) or less. Each such distinctive float must display the official number of the vessel. (b) [Reserved] | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.15.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | Q | Subpart Q—Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources (Gulf of America, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic) | § 622.377 Gillnet restrictions. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 68805, Nov. 19, 2014; 84 FR 47904, Sept. 11, 2019] | (a) Gillnets for king mackerel. The minimum allowable mesh size for a gillnet used to fish in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ for king mackerel is 4.75 inches (12.1 cm), stretched mesh. A vessel in such EEZ, or having fished on a trip in such EEZ, with a gillnet on board that has a mesh size less than 4.75 (12.1 cm) inches, stretched mesh, may not possess on that trip an incidental catch of king mackerel that exceeds 10 percent, by number, of the total lawfully possessed Spanish mackerel on board. (b) Gillnets for Spanish mackerel. (1) The minimum allowable mesh size for a gillnet used to fish for Spanish mackerel in the Gulf, Mid-Atlantic, or South Atlantic EEZ is 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), stretched mesh. (i) A vessel in the Gulf EEZ, or having fished on a trip in the Gulf EEZ, with a gillnet on board that has a mesh size less than 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), stretched mesh, may not possess on that trip any Spanish mackerel. (ii) A vessel in the South Atlantic or Mid-Atlantic EEZ, or having fished on a trip in such EEZ, with a gillnet on board that has a mesh size less than 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), stretched mesh, may possess or land on the day of that trip no more than 500 lb (227 kg) of incidentally caught Spanish mackerel. (2) On board a vessel with a valid Spanish mackerel permit that is fishing for Spanish mackerel in, or that possesses Spanish mackerel in or from, the South Atlantic EEZ off Florida north of 25°20.4′ N. lat., which is a line directly east from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County, FL, boundary— (i) No person may fish with, set, place in the water, or have on board a gillnet with a float line longer than 800 yd (732 m). (ii) No person may fish with, set, or place in the water more than one gillnet at any one time. (iii) No more than two gillnets, including any net in use, may be possessed at any one time, except for a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for Spanish mackerel engaged in a transfer as specified in paragraph (b)(2)(vi) of this section. If two gillnets, including any ne… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.400 Permits and fees. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 79 FR 19497, Apr. 9, 2014; 84 FR 37151, July 31, 2019; 87 FR 56237, Sept. 13, 2022] | (a) Applicability —(1) Licenses, certificates, and permits —(i) EEZ off Florida and spiny lobster landed in Florida. For a person to sell, trade, or barter, or attempt to sell, trade, or barter, a spiny lobster harvested or possessed in the EEZ off Florida, or harvested in the EEZ other than off Florida and landed from a fishing vessel in Florida, or for a person to be exempt from the daily bag and possession limit specified in § 622.408(b)(1) for such spiny lobster, such person must have the licenses and certificates specified to be a “commercial harvester,” as defined in Rule 68B-24.002(4), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by reference, see § 622.19). (ii) EEZ other than off Florida. For a person to sell, trade, or barter, or attempt to sell, trade, or barter, a spiny lobster harvested in the EEZ other than off Florida or for a person to be exempt from the daily bag and possession limit specified in § 622.408(b)(1) for such spiny lobster, a Federal vessel permit must be issued to the harvesting vessel and must be on board. However, see paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section for the licenses and certificates required for a person to possess or land spiny lobster harvested in the EEZ other than off Florida and subsequently possessed in the EEZ off Florida or landed from a fishing vessel in Florida. (2) Tail-separation permits. For a person to possess aboard a fishing vessel a separated spiny lobster tail in or from the EEZ, a valid Federal tail-separation permit must be issued to the vessel and must be on board. Permitting prerequisites for the tail-separation permit are either a valid Federal vessel permit for spiny lobster or a valid Florida Saltwater Products License with a valid Florida Restricted Species Endorsement and a valid Crawfish Endorsement. (3) Corporation/partnership-owned vessels. For a vessel owned by a corporation or partnership to be eligible for a Federal vessel permit specified in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, the earned income qualifica… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.409 Spiny lobster import prohibitions. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, amended at 87 FR 56217, Sept. 13, 2022] | (a) Minimum size limits for imported spiny lobster. Multiple minimum size limits apply to the importation of spiny lobster into the United States—one that applies any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, and more restrictive minimum size limits that apply to Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John, respectively. (1) No person may import a spiny lobster with less than a 5-ounce (142-gram) tail weight into any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For the purposes of paragraph (a) of this section, a 5-ounce (142-gram) tail weight is defined as a tail that weighs 4.2-5.4 ounces (119-153 grams). If the documentation accompanying an imported spiny lobster (including but not limited to product packaging, customs entry forms, bills of lading, brokerage forms, or commercial invoices) indicates that the product does not satisfy the minimum tail-weight requirement, the person importing such spiny lobster has the burden to prove that such spiny lobster actually does satisfy the minimum tail-weight requirement or that such spiny lobster has a tail length of 5.5 inches (13.97 cm) or greater or that such spiny lobster has or had a carapace length of greater than 3.0 inches (7.62 cm). If the imported product itself does not satisfy the minimum tail-weight requirement, the person importing such spiny lobster has the burden to prove that such spiny lobster has a tail length of 5.5 inches (13.97 cm) or greater or that such spiny lobster has or had a carapace length of greater than 3.0 inches (7.62 cm). If the burden is satisfied, such spiny lobster will be considered to be in compliance with the minimum 5-ounce (142-gram) tail-weight requirement. (2) See subparts S, T, and U of this part for the more restrictive minimum size limits that apply to spiny lobster imported into Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thomas and St. John, respectively. (b) Additional spiny lobster import proh… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.410 Restrictions within the Tortugas marine reserves. | FWS | The following activities are prohibited within the Tortugas marine reserves: Fishing for any species and anchoring by fishing vessels. (a) EEZ portion of Tortugas North. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting the following points: From point A at 24°40′00″ N. lat., 83°06′00″ W. long. to point B at 24°46′00″ N. lat., 83°06′00″ W. long. to point C at 24°46′00″ N. lat., 83°00′00″ W. long.; thence along the line denoting the seaward limit of Florida's waters, as shown on the current edition of NOAA chart 11438, to point A at 24°40′00″ N. lat., 83°06′00″ W. long. (b) Tortugas South. The area is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the following points: | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.411 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures (AMs). | FWS | [83 FR 29047, June 22, 2018] | For recreational and commercial spiny lobster landings combined, the ACL is 9.60 million lb (4.35 million kg), whole weight. The ACT is 8.64 million lb, (3.92 million kg) whole weight. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.13 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.412 Adjustment of management measures. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 37152, July 31, 2019; 90 FR 38004, Aug. 7, 2025] | In accordance with the framework procedures of the Fishery Management Plan for the Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf and South Atlantic, the RA may establish or modify the following items: (a) Reporting and monitoring requirements, permitting requirements, bag and possession limits, size limits, vessel trip limits, closed seasons, closed areas, reopening of sectors that have been prematurely closed, annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), quotas, accountability measures (AMs), maximum sustainable yield (or proxy), optimum yield, total allowable catch (TAC), management parameters such as overfished and overfishing definitions, gear restrictions, gear markings and identification, vessel identification requirements, acceptable biological catch (ABC) and ABC control rule, rebuilding plans, and restrictions relative to conditions of harvested fish (such as tailing lobster, undersized attractants, and use as bait). (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.14 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | §§ 622.413--622.414 [Reserved] | FWS | ||||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.15 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.415 Limited exemption regarding harvest in waters of a foreign nation. | FWS | [84 FR 37153, July 31, 2019] | (a) An owner or operator of a vessel that has legally harvested spiny lobsters in the waters of a foreign nation and possesses spiny lobster, or separated tails, in the EEZ incidental to such foreign harvesting is exempt from the requirements of this subpart, except for § 622.409 with which such an owner or operator must comply, provided proof of lawful harvest in the waters of a foreign nation accompanies such lobsters or tails. (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.16 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.416 Restrictions on sale/purchase. | FWS | [79 FR 19497, Apr. 9, 2014] | (a) Spiny lobster harvested in or from the EEZ or adjoining state waters by a vessel that has a valid Federal commercial vessel permit for spiny lobster, as required under § 622.400(a)(1), or a valid Federal tail-separation permit for spiny lobster, as required under § 622.400(a)(2), may be sold or transferred only to a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.400(a)(5). (b) Spiny lobster harvested in or from the EEZ may be first received by a dealer who has a valid Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit, as required under § 622.400(a)(5), only from a vessel that has a valid Federal commercial vessel permit for spiny lobster or a valid Federal tail-separation permit for spiny lobster. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.2 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.401 Recordkeeping and reporting. | FWS | [79 FR 19497, Apr. 9, 2014] | (a) Dealers. A dealer who first receives Gulf or South Atlantic spiny lobster must maintain records and submit information as specified in § 622.5(c). (b) [Reserved] | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.3 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.402 Vessel and gear identification. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 37151, July 31, 2019; 87 FR 56237, Sept. 13, 2022] | (a) EEZ off Florida. (1) An owner or operator of a vessel that is used to harvest spiny lobster by traps in the EEZ off Florida must comply with the vessel and gear identification requirements specified in Rule 68B-24.006(3), (4), and (5), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by reference, see § 622.19). (2) An owner or operator of a vessel that is used to harvest spiny lobster by diving in the EEZ off Florida must comply with the vessel identification requirements applicable to the harvesting of spiny lobsters by diving in Florida's waters in Rule 68B-24.006(6), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by reference, see § 622.19). (3) An owner or operator of a vessel that is used to harvest spiny lobster by bully net in the EEZ off Florida must comply with the vessel identification requirements applicable to the harvesting of spiny lobsters by bully net in Florida's waters in Rule 68B-24.006(7), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by reference, see § 622.19). (b) EEZ other than off Florida. (1) The owner or operator of a vessel that is used to harvest spiny lobsters in the EEZ other than off Florida, must meet the following vessel and gear identification requirements: (i) The vessel's Florida crawfish license or trap number or, if not licensed by Florida, the vessel's Federal vessel permit number must be permanently and conspicuously displayed horizontally on the uppermost structural portion of the vessel in numbers at least 10 inches (25.4 cm) high so as to be readily identifiable from the air and water; (ii) If the vessel uses spiny lobster traps in the EEZ, other than off Florida— (A) The vessel's color code, as assigned by Florida or, if a color code has not been assigned by Florida, as assigned by the RA, must be permanently and conspicuously displayed above the number specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section so as to be readily identifiable from the air and water, such color code being in th… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.4 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.403 Seasons. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 37151, July 31, 2019; 87 FR 56237, Sept. 13, 2022] | (a) EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida. In the EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida, there are no seasonal restrictions on the harvest of spiny lobster or on the possession of traps. (b) EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida —(1) Commercial and recreational fishing season. The commercial and recreational fishing season for spiny lobster in the EEZ off Florida and the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, begins on August 6 and ends on March 31. (2) Special recreational fishing seasons —(i) EEZ off Florida. There is a 2-day special recreational fishing season in the EEZ off Florida on the last Wednesday and successive Thursday of July each year during which fishing for spiny lobster is limited to diving or use of a bully net or hoop net. (See § 622.404 for general prohibitions on gear and methods.) In the EEZ off Monroe County, Florida, no person may harvest spiny lobster by diving at night, that is, from 1 hour after official sunset to 1 hour before official sunrise, during this 2-day special recreational fishing season. (ii) EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida. There is a 2-day special recreational fishing season in the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, during the last Saturday and successive Sunday of July each year during which fishing for spiny lobster may be conducted by authorized gear and methods other than traps. (See § 622.404 for prohibitions on gear and methods.) (3) Possession of traps. (i) In the EEZ off Florida, the rules and regulations applicable to the possession of spiny lobster traps in Florida's waters in Rule 68B-24.005(3), (4), and (5), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of November 1, 2018 (incorporated by reference, see § 622.19), apply in their entirety to the possession of spiny lobster traps in the EEZ off Florida. A spiny lobster trap, buoy, or rope in the EEZ off Florida, during periods not authorized will be considered derelict and may be disposed of in accordance with Rul… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.5 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.404 Prohibited gear and methods. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 83 FR 29047, June 22, 2018; 84 FR 37152, July 31, 2019; 87 FR 56237, Sept. 13, 2022] | Also see § 622.9 for additional prohibited gear and methods that apply more broadly to multiple fisheries or in some cases all fisheries. (a) A spiny lobster may not be taken in the EEZ with a spear, hook, or similar device, or gear containing such devices. In the EEZ, the possession of a speared, pierced, or punctured spiny lobster is prima facie evidence that prohibited gear was used to take such lobster. Hook, as used in this paragraph (a), does not include a hook in a hook-and-line fishery for species other than spiny lobster; and possession of a spiny lobster that has been speared, pierced, or punctured by such hook is not considered evidence that prohibited gear was used to take the spiny lobster, provided no prohibited gear is on board the vessel. (b) A spiny lobster may not be taken in a directed fishery by the use of a net or trawl. See § 622.408(b)(4) for the bycatch limits applicable to a vessel that uses or has on board a net or trawl. (c) Poisons and explosives may not be used to take a spiny lobster in the EEZ. For the purposes of this paragraph (c), chlorine, bleach, and similar substances, which are used to flush a spiny lobster out of rocks or coral, are poisons. A vessel in the spiny lobster fishery may not possess on board in the EEZ any dynamite or similar explosive substance. (d) Except for black sea bass pots and golden crab traps as allowed in § 622.188 and § 622.248, respectively, the possession of all other traps is prohibited onboard a vessel in the South Atlantic EEZ when spiny lobster subject to the recreational bag and possession limits specified in § 622.408 is also onboard the vessel. The recreational harvest of spiny lobster using a trap is prohibited in the South Atlantic EEZ. (e) In the EEZ off Florida, simultaneous possession of a bully net and any underwater breathing apparatus, not including dive masks or snorkels, onboard a vessel used to harvest or transport spiny lobster for commercial purposes is prohibited in accordance with Rule 68B-24.007(5), Florida Administrati… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.6 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.405 Trap construction specifications and tending restrictions. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 37152, July 31, 2019; 87 FR 56237, Sept. 13, 2022] | (a) Construction specifications. In the EEZ, a spiny lobster trap may be no larger in dimension than 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet (91.4 cm by 61.0 cm by 61.0 cm), or the volume equivalent. A trap constructed of material other than wood must have a panel constructed of wood, cotton, or other material that will degrade at the same rate as a wooden trap. Such panel must be located in the upper half of the sides or on top of the trap, so that, when removed, there will be an opening in the trap no smaller than the diameter found at the throat or entrance of the trap. (b) Tending restrictions. (1) A spiny lobster trap in the EEZ may be pulled or tended during daylight hours only, that is, from 1 hour before official sunrise to 1 hour after official sunset. (2) A spiny lobster trap in the EEZ may be pulled or tended only by the owner's vessel, except that permission to pull or work traps belonging to another person may be granted— (i) For traps in the EEZ off Florida, by the Division of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in accordance with the procedures in Rule 68B-24.006(9), Florida Administrative Code, in effect as of May 1, 2017 (incorporated by reference, see § 622.19). (ii) For traps in the EEZ, other than off Florida, by the RA, as may be arranged upon written request. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.7 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.406 Areas closed to lobster trap gear. | FWS | (a) Fishing with spiny lobster trap gear is prohibited year-round in the following areas bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points listed. (1) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 1. (2) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 2. (3) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 3. (4) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 4. (5) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 5. (6) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 6. (7) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 7. (8) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 8. (9) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 9. (10) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 10. (11) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 11. (12) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 12. (13) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 13. (14) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 14. (15) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 15. (16) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 16. (17) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 17. (18) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 18. (19) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 19. (20) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 20. (21) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 21. (22) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 22. (23) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 23. (24) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 24. (25) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 25. (26) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 26. (27) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 27. (28) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 28. (29) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 29. (30) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 30. (31) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 31. (32) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 32. (33) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 33. (34) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 34. (35) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 35. (36) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 36. (37) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 37. (38) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 38. (39) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 39. (40) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 40. (41) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 41. (42) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 42. (43) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 43. (44) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 44. (45) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 45. (46) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 46. (47) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Area 47. (48) Lobster Trap Gear Closed Ar… | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.8 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.407 Minimum size limits and other harvest limitations. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 83 FR 29047, June 22, 2018] | (a) Minimum size limits. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section— (i) No person may possess a spiny lobster in or from the EEZ with a carapace length of 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) or less; and (ii) A spiny lobster, harvested in the EEZ by means other than diving, with a carapace length of 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) or less must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. (2) No person may harvest or attempt to harvest a spiny lobster by diving in the EEZ unless he or she possesses, while in the water, a measuring device capable of measuring the carapace length. A spiny lobster captured by a diver must be measured in the water using such measuring device and, if the spiny lobster has a carapace length of 3.0 inches (7.62 cm) or less, it must be released unharmed immediately without removal from the water. (3) Aboard a vessel authorized under paragraph (d) of this section to possess a separated spiny lobster tail, no person may possess in or from the EEZ a separated spiny lobster tail with a tail length less than 5.5 inches (13.97 cm). (b) Berried lobsters. A berried (egg-bearing) spiny lobster in or from the EEZ must be returned immediately to the water unharmed. If found in a trap in the EEZ, a berried spiny lobster may not be retained in the trap. A berried spiny lobster in or from the EEZ may not be stripped of its eggs or otherwise molested. The possession of a spiny lobster, or part thereof, in or from the EEZ from which eggs, swimmerettes, or pleopods have been removed or stripped is prohibited. (c) Undersized attractants. A live spiny lobster under the minimum size limit specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section that is harvested in the EEZ by a trap may be retained aboard the harvesting vessel for future use as an attractant in a trap provided it is held in a live well aboard the vessel. The live well must provide a minimum of 3/4 gallons (1.7 liters) of seawater per spiny lobster. An undersized spiny lobster so retained must be released to the water alive and unharmed immediately… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.16.1.9 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | R | Subpart R—Spiny Lobster Fishery of the Gulf of America and South Atlantic | § 622.408 Bag/possession limits. | FWS | [78 FR 22952, Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 84 FR 37152, July 31, 2019] | (a) EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida. The daily bag or possession limit for spiny lobster in or from the EEZ off the southern Atlantic states, other than Florida, is two per person for commercial and recreational fishing, year-round. (b) EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida —(1) Commercial and recreational fishing season. Except as specified in paragraphs (b)(3) and (4) of this section, during the commercial and recreational fishing season specified in § 622.403(b)(1), the daily bag or possession limit of spiny lobster in or from the EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida, is six per person. (2) Special recreational fishing seasons. During the special recreational fishing seasons specified in § 622.403(b)(2), the daily bag or possession limit of spiny lobster— (i) In or from the EEZ off the Gulf states, other than Florida, is six per person; (ii) In or from the EEZ off Florida other than off Monroe County, Florida, is twelve per person; and (iii) In or from the EEZ off Monroe County, Florida, is six per person. (3) Exemption from the bag/possession limit. During the commercial and recreational fishing season specified in § 622.403(b)(1), a person is exempt from the bag and possession limit specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, provided— (i) The harvest of spiny lobsters is by diving, or by the use of a bully net, hoop net, or spiny lobster trap; and (ii) The vessel from which the person is operating has on board the required licenses, certificates, or permits, as specified in § 622.400(a)(1). (4) Harvest by net or trawl. During the commercial and recreational fishing season specified in § 622.403(b)(1), aboard a vessel with the required licenses, certificates, or permits specified in § 622.400(a)(1) that harvests spiny lobster by net or trawl or has on board a net or trawl, the possession of spiny lobster in or from the EEZ off Florida and off the Gulf states, other than Florida, may not exceed at any time 5 percent, … | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.17.1.1 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | S | Subpart S—FMP for the EEZ around Puerto Rico | § 622.430 Management area. | FWS | The management area is the EEZ around Puerto Rico bounded by rhumb lines connecting the following points and geographic instructions in order: Table 1 to § 622.430 | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.17.1.10 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | S | Subpart S—FMP for the EEZ around Puerto Rico | § 622.439 Area and seasonal closures. | FWS | (a) Closures applicable to specific areas —(1) Abrir La Sierra Bank red hind spawning aggregation area. Abrir La Sierra Bank is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points listed in Table 1 to this paragraph (a)(1). (i) From December 1 through the last day of February, each year, fishing is prohibited in Abrir La Sierra Bank. (ii) Fishing with pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited year-round in Abrir La Sierra Bank. Table 1 to § 622.439( a )(1)—Abrir La Sierra Bank (2) Tourmaline Bank red hind spawning aggregation area. Tourmaline Bank is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points listed in Table 2 to this paragraph (a)(2). (i) From December 1 through the last day of February, each year, fishing is prohibited in those parts of Tourmaline Bank that are in the EEZ around Puerto Rico. (ii) Fishing with pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited year-round in those parts of Tourmaline Bank that are in the EEZ around Puerto Rico. Table 2 to § 622.439( a )(2)—Tourmaline Bank (3) Bajo de Sico. Bajo de Sico is bounded by rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points listed in Table 3 to this paragraph (a)(3). (i) From October 1 through March 31, each year, no person may fish for or possess any reef fish in or from those parts of Bajo de Sico that are in the EEZ around Puerto Rico. The prohibition on possession does not apply to such reef fish harvested and landed ashore prior to the closure. (ii) Fishing with pots, traps, bottom longlines, gillnets or trammel nets is prohibited year-round in those parts of Bajo de Sico that are in the EEZ around Puerto Rico. (iii) Anchoring by fishing vessels is prohibited year-round in those parts of Bajo de Sico that are in the EEZ around Puerto Rico. Table 3 to § 622.439( a )(3)—Bajo de Sico (b) Seasonal closures applicable to specific species —(1) Black, red, tiger, yellowedge, and yellowfin grouper closure. From February 1 through April 30, each year, no person may fish for or p… | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.17.1.11 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | S | Subpart S—FMP for the EEZ around Puerto Rico | § 622.440 Annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures (AMs). | FWS | [87 FR 56216, Sept. 13, 2022, as amended at 88 FR 16195, Mar. 16, 2023; 88 FR 46695, July 20, 2023; 89 FR 34169, Apr. 30, 2024; 90 FR 26942, June 25, 2025] | (a) Reef fish. For those fishing commercially, the applicable ACL is the commercial ACL. For those fishing recreationally, the applicable ACL is the recreational ACL. When landings for one sector are not available for comparison to that sector's ACL, the ACL for the sector with available landings is the ACL for the stock or stock complex. (1) Commercial ACLs. The commercial ACLs are as follows and given in round weight. Table 1 to Paragraph (a) (1) 1 Indicator stock. (2) Recreational ACLs. The recreational ACLs are as follows and given in round weight. >Table 2 to Paragraph (a) (2) 1 Indicator stock. (3) Total ACLs. The total ACLs (combined commercial and recreational ACLs) are as follows and given in round weight. Table 3 to Paragraph (a) (3) 1 Indicator stock. (4) General applicability and monitoring of AMs. At or near the beginning the fishing year, landings for each stock, stock complex, or indicator stock will be evaluated relative to the ACL based on a moving multi-year average of landings, as described in the FMP. When landings for one sector are not available for comparison to that sector's ACL, the ACL for the sector with available landings is the ACL for the stock or stock complex and the AM specified in paragraph (a)(7) of this section applies. Any fishing season reduction required under paragraph (a) of this section will be applied starting from September 30 and moving earlier toward the beginning of the fishing year. If the length of the required fishing season reduction exceeds the time period of January 1 through September 30, any additional fishing season reduction will be applied starting from October 1 and moving later toward the end of the fishing year. (5) Commercial AMs. If NMFS estimates that commercial landings for a stock, stock complex, or indicator stock have exceeded the applicable commercial ACL specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section for the stock or stock complex, and the combined commercial and recreational landings for the stock, stock complex, or… | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.17.1.12 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | S | Subpart S—FMP for the EEZ around Puerto Rico | § 622.441 Size limits. | FWS | [87 FR 56217, Sept. 13, 2022, as amended at 90 FR 26940, June 25, 2025] | All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit in or from the EEZ around Puerto Rico may not be possessed, sold, or purchased, and must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ around Puerto Rico is responsible for ensuring that all species on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this section. See § 622.10 regarding requirements for landing fish intact. See § 622.445(c)(2) regarding requirements for landing spiny lobster intact. (a) Reef fish. (1) Yellowtail snapper —12 inches (30.5 cm), TL. (2) [Reserved] (b) Pelagic fish. (1) Dolphinfish—24 inches (61.0 cm), FL. (2) Wahoo—32 inches (81.3 cm), FL. (c) Spiny lobster. 3.5 inches (8.9 cm), carapace length. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.17.1.13 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | S | Subpart S—FMP for the EEZ around Puerto Rico | § 622.442 [Reserved] | FWS | ||||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.17.1.14 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | S | Subpart S—FMP for the EEZ around Puerto Rico | § 622.443 Restrictions on sale or purchase. | FWS | (a) Reef fish. A live red hind or live mutton snapper in or from the EEZ around Puerto Rico may not be sold or purchased and used in the marine aquarium trade. (b) [Reserved] (c) Coral. (1) No person may sell or purchase a coral harvested in the EEZ around Puerto Rico. (2) A coral that is sold in Puerto Rico will be presumed to have been harvested in the EEZ around Puerto Rico, unless it is accompanied by documentation showing that it was harvested elsewhere. Such documentation must contain: (i) The information specified in subpart K of part 300 of this title for marking containers or packages of fish or wildlife that are imported, exported, or transported in interstate commerce. (ii) The name and home port of the vessel, or the name and address of the individual harvesting the coral. (iii) The port and date of landing the coral. (iv) A statement signed by the person selling the coral attesting that, to the best of his or her knowledge, information, and belief, such coral was harvested from other than in the EEZ around Puerto Rico or the waters of Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. | |||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.17.1.15 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | S | Subpart S—FMP for the EEZ around Puerto Rico | § 622.444 Bag and possession limits. | FWS | [87 FR 56217, Sept. 13, 2022, as amended at 90 FR 26940, June 25, 2025] | Section 622.11(a) provides the general applicability for bag and possession limits. However, § 622.11(a) notwithstanding, the bag limits of this section do not apply to a person who has a valid commercial fishing license issued by Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands. (a) Reef fish. (1) Groupers, parrotfishes, and snappers combined—5 per person per day or, if 3 or more persons are aboard, 15 per vessel per day; but not to exceed 2 parrotfish per person per day or 6 parrotfish per vessel per day. (2) Angelfishes, grunts, jacks, surgeonfishes, triggerfishes, and wrasses combined—5 per person per day or, if 3 or more persons are aboard, 15 per vessel per day, but not to exceed 1 surgeonfish per person per day or 4 surgeonfish per vessel per day. (b) Pelagic fish. (1) Dolphinfish—5 per person per day, not to exceed 15 per vessel per day, whichever is less. (2) Wahoo—5 per person per day, not to exceed 10 per vessel per day, whichever is less. (c) Spiny lobster. 3 per person per day, not to exceed 10 per vessel per day, whichever is less. | ||||
| 50:50:12.0.1.1.2.17.1.16 | 50 | Wildlife and Fisheries | VI | 622 | PART 622—FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF AMERICA, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC | S | Subpart S—FMP for the EEZ around Puerto Rico | § 622.445 Other harvest restrictions. | FWS | (a)-(b) [Reserved] (c) Spiny lobster —(1) Prohibition on harvest of egg-bearing spiny lobster. Egg-bearing spiny lobster in the EEZ around Puerto Rico must be returned to the water unharmed. An egg-bearing spiny lobster may be retained in a spiny lobster trap, provided the trap is returned immediately to the water. An egg-bearing spiny lobster may not be stripped, scraped, shaved, clipped, or in any other manner molested, in order to remove the eggs. (2) Landing spiny lobster intact. (i) A spiny lobster in or from the EEZ around Puerto Rico must be maintained with head and carapace intact through offloading ashore. (ii) The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ around Puerto Rico is responsible for ensuring that spiny lobster on that vessel are maintained intact through offloading ashore, as specified in this section. |
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CREATE TABLE cfr_sections (
section_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
title_number INTEGER,
title_name TEXT,
chapter TEXT,
subchapter TEXT,
part_number TEXT,
part_name TEXT,
subpart TEXT,
subpart_name TEXT,
section_number TEXT,
section_heading TEXT,
agency TEXT,
authority TEXT,
source_citation TEXT,
amendment_citations TEXT,
full_text TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX idx_cfr_title ON cfr_sections(title_number);
CREATE INDEX idx_cfr_part ON cfr_sections(part_number);
CREATE INDEX idx_cfr_agency ON cfr_sections(agency);