Lobster Trap Transfer Program for
Fishing Year 2020
Accepting Applications August 1 - September 30
NOAA Fisheries announces the continuation of the Lobster Trap Transfer Program for Fishing Year 2020. The Lobster Trap Transfer Program allows permit holders the flexibility to buy and sell trap allocation for Lobster Conservation Management Areas 2, 3, and the Outer Cape.
We are considering future changes to the federal lobster regulations as recommended by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. These changes include the use of a control date to limit the number of traps or lobster permits a federal permit holder can have in Areas 2 and 3. Any new measures could impact your trap allocations as early as fishing year 2021. We are also discussing potential measures that would minimize threats to North Atlantic right whales. You should stay informed of potential changes, and know that you transfer traps at your own risk and subject to these new potential regulations.
We will accept trap transfer applications for the 2020 fishing year beginning on August 1, 2019, through September 30, 2019. Applications must be postmarked, provided to a delivery service, or received by our office by September 30, 2019. We will process all transfer requests after the trap transfer period has closed and will notify applicants of our decisions by December 31, 2019. Approved trap transfers will become effective on May 1, 2020.
A detailed guide about the transfer program, applications, and individual trap allocations is available under the “Trap Transfer Program” tab on our website.
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