Fishermen Must Tag Traps Like Amazon Packages to Save Sea Critters
Published Date: 10/13/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting January 11, 2027, fishermen using fixed gear in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery must mark their gear clearly to help identify and reduce marine animal entanglements. Some rules kick in earlier on October 13, 2026, and full compliance for certain parts is due by January 11, 2030. These changes help protect ocean animals while keeping fishing fair and safe for those off Washington, Oregon, and California.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.
New buoy and line marking rules
If you fish groundfish with pot or bottom longline gear in Federal waters off Washington, Oregon, or California, you must mark every surface buoy with gear-specific marks ("GP" for pots, "GL" for bottom longline) and put vessel ID on all buoys. You must also mark the top 20 fathoms (120 ft / 37 m) of each vertical line in a two-color scheme (pots: orange & blue; bottom longline: brown & blue) with manufactured line meeting the strand rules (at least 33% of strands one color). Buoy letters must be at least 3 inches (7.7 cm) high and tags must have a physical indentation and contrasting color.
3-year temporary marking then manufactured line
You may use temporary two-color markings (paint, tape, colored rope sections) for the top 20 fm (37 m) of vertical line for three years after the rule's effective date, but starting January 11, 2030 the top 20 fm must be manufactured line in the required two-color scheme. Temporary bands must be continuous, alternating, and each band must be 18–28 inches (46–71 cm).
Estimated compliance cost and affected vessels
NMFS estimates about 335 vessels currently fish groundfish with the affected pot or bottom longline gears and will incur costs to comply. NMFS estimates an average cost burden of $809 per vessel (respondent) to temporarily mark and replace gear once during the 3-year transition, and notes a standard coil of manufactured line is about 1,200 ft and costs approximately $200–$500.
Limit on surface line length
Surface line (from main buoy to the last trailing buoy) for pot and bottom longline gear may not exceed 60 ft (10 fathoms / about 18 m). This limit applies when fishing groundfish with the subject gear types in the EEZ off Washington, Oregon, and California.
Voluntary single-surface-line allowance
The rule removes the requirement to mark both terminal ends of pot and bottom longline gear, allowing vessel operators, at their discretion, to mark and use surface gear and a vertical line at one or both ends of a gear set (a voluntary single-line allowance). NMFS expects this voluntary allowance to reduce the total number of vertical lines in the water.
Escape panel placement and twine size changes
Escape panels on pots may not be positioned on the bottom of a pot (an exception is provided for collapsible pots), and a definition for "collapsible pot" is added. The maximum untreated cotton twine size for closing escape panels is changed from "not to exceed number 21" to "not to exceed number 30," aligning Pacific Coast rules with Alaska standards.
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