§ 648.61 - [Reserved]  


Latest version.
  • § 648.61 EFH and Groundfish Closed Areas.

    (a) No vessel fishing for scallops, or person on a vessel fishing for scallops, may enter, fish in, or be in the EFH Closure Areas described in paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this section, unless otherwise specified. A chart depicting these areas is available from the Regional Administrator upon request.

    (1) Western GOM Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified in this paragraph (a) apply to the Western GOM Habitat Closure Area, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Western GOM Habitat Closure Area

    Point Latitude Longitude
    WGM143°15′ N.70°15′ W.
    WGM242°15′ N.70°15′ W.
    WGM342°15′ N.70°00′ W.
    WGM443°15′ N.70°00′ W.
    WGM143°15′ N.70°15′ W.

    (2) Cashes Ledge Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified in paragraph (a) of this section apply to the Cashes Ledge Habitat Closure Area, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Cashes Ledge Habitat Closure Area

    Point Latitude Longitude
    CLH143°01′ N.69°03′ W.
    CLH243°01′ N.68°52′ W.
    CLH342°45′ N.68°52′ W.
    CLH442°45′ N.69°03′ W.
    CLH143°01′ N.69°03′ W.

    (3) Jeffrey's Bank Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified in paragraph (a) of this section apply to the Jeffrey's Bank Habitat Closure Area, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Jeffrey's Bank Habitat Closure Area

    Point Latitude Longitude
    JB143°40′ N.68°50′ W.
    JB243°40′ N.68°40′ W.
    JB343°20′ N.68°40′ W.
    JB443°20′ N.68°50′ W.
    JB143°40′ N.68°50′ W.

    (4) Closed Area I Habitat Closure Areas. The restrictions specified in paragraph (a) of this section apply to the Closed Area I Habitat Closure Areas, Closed Area I-North and Closed Area I-South, which are the areas bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated, and so that the lines connecting Point CIN4 to Point CIN1, and Point CIS4 to Point CIS1 is the same as the portion of the western boundary line of Closed Area I, defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, that lies between those points:

    Closed Area I - North Habitat Closure Area

    Point Latitude Longitude Note CIN141°30′ N.69°23′ W. CIN241°30′ N.68°30′ W. CIN341°26′ N.68°30′ W. CIN441°04′ N.69°01′ W.(1) CIN141°30′ N.69°23′ W.(1)

    Closed Area I - South Habitat Closure Area

    Point Latitude Longitude Notes CIS140°54.95′ N.68°53.37′ W. CIS240°58′ N.68°30′ W. CIS340°45′ N.68°30′ W. CIS440°45′ N.68°45′ W.(1) CIS140°54.95′ N.68°53.37′ W.(1)

    (5) Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified in this paragraph (a) apply to the Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area (also referred to as the Habitat Area of Particular Concern), which is the area bounded by straight lines, except where noted, connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Closed Area II Habitat Closure Area

    Point Latitude Longitude Note CIIH142°10′ N.67°20′ W. CIIH242°10′ N.(1)(2) CIIH342°00′ N.(3)(2) CIIH442°00′ N.67°10′ W. CIIH541°50′ N.67°10′ W. CIIH641°50′ N.67°20′ W. CIIH142°10′ N.67°20′ W.

    (6) Nantucket Lightship Habitat Closure Area. The restrictions specified in this paragraph (a) apply to the Nantucket Lightship Habitat Closure Area, which is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Nantucket Lightship Habitat Closed Area

    Point Latitude Longitude
    NLH141°10′ N.70°00′ W.
    NLH241°10′ N.69°50′ W.
    NLH340°50′ N.69°30′ W.
    NLH440°20′ N.69°30′ W.
    NLH540°20′ N.70°00′ W.
    NLH141°10′ N.70°00′ W.

    (b) Transiting. A vessel may transit the EFH Closure Areas as defined in paragraphs (a)(1) through (6) of this section, unless otherwise restricted, provided that its gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2. A vessel may transit the CAII EFH closed area, as defined in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, provided there is a compelling safety reason to enter the area and all gear is stowed and not available for immediate use as defined in § 648.2.

    (c) Groundfish Closure Areas. No vessel fishing for scallops, or person on a vessel fishing for scallops, may enter, fish in, or be in the Closure Areas described in paragraphs (c)(1) through (5) of this section, unless otherwise exempted in the scallop access area program, described in § 648.59. A chart depicting these areas is available from the Regional Administrator upon request.

    (1) Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area. The Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Western Gulf of Maine Closure Area

    Point N lat. W long.
    WGM142°15′ N70°15′ W
    WGM242°15′ N69°55′ W
    WGM343°15′ N69°55′ W
    WGM443°15′ N70°15′ W
    WGM142°15′ N70°15′ W

    (2) Cashes Ledge Closure Area. The Cashes Ledge Closure Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Cashes Ledge Closure Area

    Point N lat. W long.
    CL143°07′ N69°02′ W
    CL242°49.5′ N68°46′ W
    CL342°46.5′ N68°50.5′ W
    CL442°43.5′ N68°58.5′ W
    CL542°42.5′ N69°17.5′ W
    CL642°49.5′ N69°26′ W
    CL143°07′ N69°02′ W

    (3) Closed Area I. Closed Area I is defined by straight lines, unless otherwise noted, connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Closed Area I

    Point N lat. W long.
    CI141°30′69°23′
    CI240°45′68°45′
    CI340°45′68°30′
    CI441°30′68°30′
    CI141°30′69°23′

    (4) Closed Area II. Closed Area II is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Closed Area II

    Point N lat. W long. Note CAII141°00′ N67°20′ W CAII241°00′ N66°35.8′ W CAII341°18.45′ N(1)(2) CAII4(3)67°20′ W(2) CAII542°22′ N67°20′ W CAII141°00′ N67°20′ W

    (5) Nantucket Lightship Closure Area. The Nantucket Lightship Closure Area is defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:

    Nantucket Lightship Closure Area

    Point N lat. W long.
    NL140°50′ N69°00′ W
    NL240°20′ N69°00′ W
    NL340°20′ N70°20′ W
    NL440°50′ N70°20′ W
    NL140°50′ N69°00′ W
    [79 FR 34265, June 16, 2014, as amended at 79 FR 52580, Sept. 4, 2014; 80 FR 22134, Apr. 21, 2015; 83 FR 15263, Apr. 9, 2018

    [Reserved]