NOAA Asks for Lobster Trap Transfer Comments Again
Published Date: 6/11/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is asking lobster fishers and the public to comment on continuing the annual trap transfer program, which helps lobster fishers trade their lobster traps to fish smarter and protect lobster populations. This program affects lobster fishers along the Atlantic coast and aims to balance fishing limits with economic flexibility. Comments are open until August 10, 2026, and there’s no new cost, just a chance to share your thoughts!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Annual Lobster Trap Transfer Window
Qualified Federal lobster permit holders along the Atlantic coast can buy and sell trap allocation from Lobster Conservation Management Areas 2, 3, or Outer Cape Cod during a 2-month window each year from August 1 through September 30. Transfers you complete in that window change the permit's trap allocation at the start of the next Federal lobster fishing year on May 1, and the program is intended to help mitigate the economic burden from scheduled trap allocation reductions in Areas 2 and 3.
Application Signing and Cap Proof Requirement
Both the seller and buyer must sign and date the Trap Transfer Program application and show that the seller has enough allocation to transfer and that the buyer has room under the applicable trap cap before the transfer is accepted.
Estimated Annual Respondent Burden
NOAA estimates 204 respondents for this information collection, with an estimated 10 minutes per response, totaling 17 annual burden hours and an estimated total annual cost to the public of $492. Comments on this collection are requested by August 10, 2026.
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