Beginning June 16
There are four restricted areas (RGA) that are alternately closed to either trap or mobile gear on a seasonal basis. These areas were agreed upon by the mobile gear and trap fishermen to reduce gear conflicts. These areas run west to east along the 50 fathom contours, south of New England.
Please refer to the table below that outlines which areas will be closed to mobile gear and fixed lobster gear. Fixed lobster gear must be removed from RGAs 1 and 2 and mobile gear vessels may not fish in RGAs 3 and 4 beginning June 16, 2020. For a map of these areas please visit the lobster species page under the Resources tab.
Table 1. Restricted Gear Area Dates for Mobile and Fixed Lobster Gear
|
Restricted Gear Area (RGA)
|
Area Closed to Mobile Gear
|
Area Closed to Lobster Fixed Gear
|
|
I
|
Oct 1-Jun 15
|
Jun 16-Sep 30
|
|
II
|
Nov 27-Jun 15
|
Jun 16-Nov 26
|
|
III
|
Jun 16-Nov 26
|
Jan 1-Apr 30
|
|
IV
|
Jun 16-Sep 30
|
N/A
|
|
