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NOAA Fisheries has received reports of gear conflicts between lobster fishermen and scallopers occurring in and around the Scallop Closed Area I Access Area. See the figure below.
There will be offshore lobster/jonah crab gear from multiple vessels in the area in and around the Scallop Closed Area I Access Area now through January. The lobster trawls can be as long as 1.75 nautical miles with surface marks on both ends. The trawls in that area are typically set NW to SE along the 13000 loran lines. When fishing in this area, please be aware of the presence of fixed gear and tune your radar to be able to detect highflyers.
Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1857(1)(K), it is unlawful to remove, damage, or tamper with fishing gear owned by another person within the EEZ. Violations of the Act, including unlawful gear interaction, may result in civil penalties.
 Approximate boundaries of fixed gear fishing area in and around the Scallop Closed Area I Access Area.
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