CFR > Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries > CHAPTER VI—FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE > PART 600—MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS > SUBPART H—General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries (§600.705 to §600.747) > 600.725—General prohibitions.

600.725—General prohibitions.

It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
(a) Possess, have custody or control of, ship, transport, offer for sale, sell, purchase, land, import, or export, any fish or parts thereof taken or retained in violation of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA and/or any regulation or permit issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
(b) Transfer or attempt to transfer, directly or indirectly, any U.S.-harvested fish to any foreign fishing vessel, while such vessel is in the EEZ, unless the foreign fishing vessel has been issued a permit under section 204 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, which authorizes the receipt by such vessel of U.S.- harvested fish.
(c) Fail to comply immediately with enforcement and boarding procedures specified in § 600.730.
(d) Refuse to allow an authorized officer to board a fishing vessel or to enter areas of custody for purposes of conducting any search, inspection, or seizure in connection with the enforcement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
(e) Dispose of fish or parts thereof or other matter in any manner, after any communication or signal from an authorized officer, or after the approach by an authorized officer or an enforcement vessel or aircraft.
(f) Assault, resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any authorized officer in the conduct of any search, inspection, or seizure in connection with enforcement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
(g) Interfere with, delay, or prevent by any means, the apprehension of another person, knowing that such person has committed any act prohibited by the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
(h) Resist a lawful arrest for any act prohibited under the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
(i) Make any false statement, oral or written, to an authorized officer concerning the taking, catching, harvesting, landing, purchase, sale, offer of sale, possession, transport, import, export, or transfer of any fish, or attempts to do any of the above.
(j) Interfere with, obstruct, delay, or prevent by any means an investigation, search, seizure, or disposition of seized property in connection with enforcement of the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
(k) Fish in violation of the terms or conditions of any permit or authorization issued under the Magnuson-Stevens Act or any other statute administered by NOAA.
(l) Fail to report catches as required while fishing pursuant to an exempted fishing permit.
(m) On a scientific research vessel, engage in fishing other than recreational fishing authorized by applicable state or Federal regulations.
(n) Trade, barter, or sell; or attempt to trade, barter, or sell fish possessed or retained while fishing pursuant to an authorization for an exempted educational activity.
(o) Harass or sexually harass an authorized officer or an observer.
(p) Fail to show proof of passing the USCG Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination or the alternate NMFS safety equipment examination, or fail to maintain the vessel safety conditions necessary to pass the examination, when required by NMFS pursuant to § 600.746.
(q) Fail to display a Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examination decal or a valid certificate of compliance or inspection pursuant to § 600.746.
(r) Fail to provide to an observer, a NMFS employee, or a designated observer provider information that has been requested pursuant to § 600.746, or fail to allow an observer, a NMFS employee, or a designated observer provider to inspect any item described at § 600.746.
(s) Fish without an observer when the vessel is required to carry an observer.
(t) Assault, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with a NMFS-approved observer.
(u) (1) Prohibit or bar by command, impediment, threat, coercion, interference, or refusal of reasonable assistance, an observer from conducting his or her duties as an observer; or
(2) Tamper with or destroy samples or equipment.
(v) The use of any gear or participation in a fishery not on the following list of authorized fisheries and gear is prohibited after December 1, 1999. A fish, regardless whether targeted, may be retained only if it is taken within a listed fishery, is taken with a gear authorized for that fishery, and is taken in conformance with all other applicable regulations. Listed gear can only be used in a manner that is consistent with existing laws and regulations. The list of fisheries and authorized gear does not, in any way, alter or supersede any definitions or regulations contained elsewhere in this chapter. A person or vessel is prohibited from engaging in fishing or employing fishing gear when such fishing gear is prohibited or restricted by regulation under an FMP or other applicable law. However, after December 1, 1999, an individual fisherman may notify the appropriate Council, or the Director, in the case of Atlantic highly migratory species, of the intent to use a gear or participate in a fishery not already on the list. Ninety days after such notification, the individual may use the gear or participate in that fishery unless regulatory action is taken to prohibit the use of the gear or participate in the fishery (e.g., through emergency or interim regulations). The list of authorized fisheries and gear is as follows:
Fishery Authorized gear types
I. New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC)
1. Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery (FMP):
A. Dredge fishery A. Dredge.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Hand harvest fishery C. Hand harvest.
D. Recreational fishery D. Hand harvest.
2. Iceland Scallop Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery A. Dredge.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
3. Atlantic Salmon Fishery (FMP) No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
4. Striped Bass Fishery (Non-FMP) No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
5. Northeast (NE) Multispecies Fishery (FMP):
A. NE multispecies sink gillnet fishery A. Gillnet.
B. North Atlantic bottom trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Groundfish hook and line fishery C. Longline, handline, rod and reel.
D. Mixed species trap and pot fishery D. Trap, pot.
E. Dredge fishery E. Dredge.
F. Seine fishery F. Seine.
G. Recreational fishery G. Rod and reel, handline, spear.
6. American Lobster Fishery (FMP):
A. Lobster pot and trap fishery A. Pot, trap.
B. North Atlantic bottom trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Dredge fishery C. Dredge.
D. Hand harvest fishery D. Hand harvest.
E. Gillnet fishery E. Gillnet.
F. Recreational fishery F. Pot, trap, hand harvest.
7. Atlantic Herring Fishery (FMP):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Purse seine fishery B. Purse seine.
C. Gillnet fishery C. Gillnet.
D. Herring pair trawl fishery D. Pair trawl.
E. Dredge fishery E. Dredge.
F. Recreational fishery F. Hook and line, gillnet.
8. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by MAFMC and NEFMC):
A. Gillnet fishery A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Hook and line fishery C. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Longline fishery E. Longline.
F. Recreational fishery F. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
9. Atlantic Bluefish Fishery (FMP managed by MAFMC):
A. Pelagic longline and hook and line fishery A. Longline, handline.
B. Seine fishery B. Purse seine, seine.
C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery C. Pot, trap.
D. Bluefish, croaker, flounder trawl fishery D. Trawl.
E. Gillnet fishery E. Gillnet.
F. Dredge fishery F. Dredge.
G. Recreational fishery G. Rod and reel, handline, trap, pot, spear.
10. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Fishery (FMP managed by the MAFMC):
A. Mackerel, squid, and butterfish trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet fishery B. Gillnet.
C. Longline and hook-and-line fishery C. Longline, handline, rod and reel.
D. Purse seine fishery D. Purse seine.
E. Mixed species pot and trap fishery E. Pot, trap.
F. Dredge fishery F. Dredge.
G. Dip net fishery G. Dip net.
H. Bandit gear fishery H. Bandit gear.
I. Recreational fishery I. Rod and reel, handline, pot, spear.
11. Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fishery (FMP managed by the MAFMC):
A. Commercial fishery A. Dredge, hand harvest.
B. Recreational fishery B. Hand harvest.
12. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Purse seine fishery A. Purse seine.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Gillnet fishery C. Gillnet.
D. Commercial hook-and-line fishery D. Hook and line.
E. Recreational fishery E. Hook and line, snagging, cast nets.
13. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial fishery A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and line.
B. Recreational fishery B. Hook and line, spear.
14. Atlantic Mussel and Sea Urchin Fishery (Non-FMP):
Code of Federal Regulations 100
A. Dredge fishery A. Dredge.
B. Hand harvest fishery B. Hand harvest.
C. Recreational fishery C. Hand harvest.
15. Atlantic Skate Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet fishery B. Gillnet.
C. Hook-and-line fishery C. Longline and handline.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Recreational fishery E. Rod and reel.
16. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery A. Dredge.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Trap and pot fishery C. Trap, pot.
17. Northern Shrimp Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Shrimp trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Shrimp pot fishery B. Pot.
18. Monkfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by NEFMC and MAFMC):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet fishery B. Gillnet.
C. Longline fishery C. Longline.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Trap and pot fishery E. Trap, pot.
F. Recreational fishery F. Rod and reel, spear.
19. Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Fishery (FMP managed by MAFMC):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Longline and hook and line fishery B. Longline, handline.
C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery C. Pot, trap.
D. Gillnet fishery D. Gillnet.
E. Dredge fishery E. Dredge.
F. Recreational fishery F. Rod and reel, handline, pot, trap, spear.
20. Hagfish Fishery (Non-FMP) Trap, pot.
21. Tautog Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Gillnet fishery A. Gillnet.
B. Pot and trap fishery B. Pot, trap.
C. Rod and reel, hook and line fishery C. Rod and reel, handline, hook and line.
D. Trawl fishery D. Trawl.
E. Spear fishery E. Spear.
F. Fyke net fishery F. Fyke net.
G. Recreational fishery G. Rod and reel, hook and line, handline, spear.
22. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) Rod and reel, handline, spear, hook and line, hand harvest, bandit gear, powerhead, gillnet, cast net, pot, trap, dip net, bully net, snare.
23. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) Trawl, pot, trap, gillnet, pound net, dredge, seine, handline, longline, hook and line, rod and reel, hand harvest, purse seine, spear, bandit gear, powerhead, dip net, bully net, snare, cast net, barrier net, slurp gun, allowable chemicals.
24. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP managed by SAFMC) Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic longline, rod and reel, spear (including powerheads).
II. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)
1. Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Fishery (FMP):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Pelagic longline and hook and line fishery B. Longline, handline, rod and reel.
C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery C. Pot, trap.
D. Gillnet fishery D. Gillnet.
E. Dredge fishery E. Dredge.
F. Recreational fishery F. Rod and reel, handline, pot, trap, spear.
2. Atlantic Bluefish Fishery (FMP):
A. Bluefish, croaker, and flounder trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Pelagic longline and hook and line fishery B. Longline, handline, bandit gear, rod and reel.
C. Mixed species pot and trap fishery C. Pot, trap.
D. Gillnet fishery D. Gillnet.
E. Seine fishery E. Purse seine, seine.
F. Dredge fishery F. Dredge.
G. Recreational fishery G. Rod and reel, handline, trap, pot, spear.
3. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery (FMP):
A. Mackerel, squid, and butterfish trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet fishery B. Gillnet.
C. Longline and hook-and-line fishery C. Longline, handline, rod and reel.
D. Purse seine fishery D. Purse seine.
Code of Federal Regulations 101
E. Mixed species pot and trap fishery E. Pot, trap.
F. Dredge fishery F. Dredge.
G. Dip net fishery G. Dip net.
H. Bandit gear fishery H. Bandit gear.
I. Recreational fishery I. Rod and reel, handline, pot, spear.
4. Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery A. Dredge, hand harvest.
B. Recreational fishery B. Hand harvest.
5. Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery (FMP managed by NEFMC):
A. Dredge fishery A. Dredge.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Hand harvest fishery C. Hand harvest.
D. Recreational fishery D. Hand harvest.
6. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Purse seine fishery A. Purse seine.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Gillnet fishery C. Gillnet.
D. Commercial hook-and-line fishery D. Hook and line.
E. Recreational fishery E. Hook and line, snagging, cast nets.
7. Striped Bass Fishery (Non-FMP) No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
8. Northern Shrimp Trawl Fishery (Non-FMP) Trawl.
9. American Lobster Fishery (FMP managed by NEFMC):
A. Pot and trap fishery A. Pot, trap.
B. Hand harvest fishery B. Hand harvest.
C. Trawl fishery C. Trawl.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Gillnet fishery E. Gillnet.
F. Recreational fishery F. Pot, trap, hand harvest.
10. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial fishery A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and line, rod and reel.
B. Recreational fishery B. Hook and line, spear.
11. Whelk Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Pot and trap fishery B. Pot, trap.
C. Dredge C. Dredge.
D. Pound net, gillnet, seine D. Pound net, gillnet, seine.
E. Recreational fishery E. Hand harvest.
12. Monkfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by NEFMC and MAFMC):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Longline fishery B. Longline, rod and reel.
C. Gillnet fishery C. Gillnet.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Trap and pot fishery E. Trap and pot.
F. Recreational fishery F. Rod and reel, spear.
13. Tilefish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Groundfish hook-and-line fishery A. Longline, handline, rod and fishery reel.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Recreational fishery C. Rod and reel, spear.
14. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by MAFMC and NEFMC):
A. Gillnet fishery A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Hook and line fishery C. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Longline fishery E. Longline.
F. Recreational fishery F. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
15. Tautog Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Gillnet fishery A. Gillnet.
B. Pot and trap fishery B. Pot, trap.
C. Rod and reel, hook and line handline fishery C. Rod and reel, hook and line, handline.
D. Trawl fishery D. Trawl.
E. Spear fishery E. Spear.
F. Fyke net fishery F. Fyke net.
G. Recreational fishery G. Rod and reel, handline, hook and line, spear.
16. Coastal Gillnet Fishery (Non-FMP) Gillnet
17. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) Rod and reel, handline, spear, hook and line, hand harvest, bandit gear, powerhead, gillnet, cast net.
18. NE Multispecies Fishery (FMP managed by NEFMC):
A. NE multispecies sink gillnet fishery A. Gillnet.
B. North Atlantic bottom trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Groundfish hook and line C. Longline, handline, rod and fishery reel.
D. Mixed species trap and pot fishery D. Trap, pot.
E. Dredge fishery E. Dredge.
F. Seine fishery F. Seine.
Code of Federal Regulations 102
G. Recreational fishery G. Rod and reel, handline, spear.
19. Atlantic Skate Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Gillnet fishery B. Gillnet.
C. Hook-and-line fishery C. Longline and handline.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Recreational fishery E. Rod and reel.
20. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery A. Dredge.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Trap and pot fishery C. Trap, pot.
21. Atlantic Herring Fishery (FMP managed by the NEFMC):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Purse seine fishery B. Purse seine.
C. Gillnet fishery C. Gillnet.
D. Herring pair trawl fishery D. Pair trawl.
E. Dredge fishery E. Dredge.
F. Recreational fishery F. Hook and line, gillnet.
22. South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery (FMP managed by the SAFMC):
A. Commercial fishery A. Longline, rod and reel, bandit gear, handline, spear, powerhead.
B. Black sea bass trap and pot fishery B. Pot, trap.
C. Wreckfish fishery C. Rod and reel, bandit gear, handline.
D. Recreational fishery D. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear, spear, powerhead.
23. South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery (FMP managed by the SAFMC):
A. Commercial Spanish mackerel fishery A. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear, gillnet, cast net.
B. Commercial king mackerel fishery B. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear.
C. Other commercial coastal migratory pelagics fishery C. Longline, handline, rod and reel, bandit gear.
D. Recreational fishery D. Bandit gear, rod and reel, handline, spear.
24. Calico Scallops Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Dredge fishery B. Dredge.
C. Recreational fishery C. Hand harvest.
25. Sargassum Fishery (Non-FMP) Trawl.
26. South Atlantic Shrimp Fishery (FMP) Trawl.
27. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) Trawl, pot, trap, gillnet, pound net, dredge, seine, handline, longline, hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
28. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP managed by SAFMC) Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic longline, rod and reel, spear (including powerheads).
III. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
1. Golden Crab Fishery (FMP) Trap.
2. Crab Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery A. Dredge.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Trap and pot fishery C. Trap, pot.
3. Atlantic Red Drum Fishery (FMP) No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
4. Coral and Coral Reef Fishery (FMP):
A. Octocoral commercial fishery Hand harvest.
B. Live rock aquaculture fishery Hand harvest.
5. South Atlantic Shrimp Fishery (FMP) Trawl.
6. South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery A. Longline, rod and reel, bandit gear, handline, spear, powerhead.
B. Black sea bass pot fishery B. Pot.
C. Wreckfish fishery C. Rod and reel, bandit gear, handline.
D. Recreational fishery D. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear, spear, powerhead.
7. South Atlantic Spiny Lobster Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery A. Trap, pot, dip net, bully net, snare, hand harvest.
B. Recreational fishery B. Trap, pot, dip net, bully net, snare, hand harvest.
8. South Atlantic Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial Spanish mackerel fishery A. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear, gillnet, cast net.
B. Commercial king mackerel fishery B. Handline, rod and reel, bandit gear.
C. Other commercial coastal migratory pelagics fishery C. Longline, handline, rod and reel, bandit gear.
D. Recreational fishery D. Bandit gear, rod and reel, handline, spear.
Code of Federal Regulations 103
9. Spiny Dogfish Fishery (FMP jointly managed by NEFMC and SAFMC):
A. Gillnet fishery A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Hook and line fishery C. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear, bandit gear.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Longline fishery E. Longline.
F. Recreational fishery F. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
10. Smooth Dogfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Gillnet fishery A. Gillnet.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Hook and line fishery C. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear, bandit gear.
D. Dredge fishery D. Dredge.
E. Longline fishery E. Longline.
F. Recreational fishery F. Hook and line, rod and reel, spear.
11. Atlantic Menhaden Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Purse seine fishery A. Purse seine.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Gillnet fishery C. Gillnet.
D. Commercial hook-and-line D. Hook and line fishery.
E. Recreational fishery E. Hook and line, snagging, cast nets.
12. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Trawl Fishery (Non-FMP) Trawl.
13. Bait Fisheries (Non-FMP) Purse seine.
14. Weakfish Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Commercial fishery A. Trawl, gillnet, hook and line.
B. Recreational fishery B. Hook and line, spear.
15. Whelk Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Trawl fishery A. Trawl.
B. Pot and trap fishery B. Pot, trap.
C. Dredge fishery C. Dredge.
D. Recreational fishery D. Hand harvest.
16. Marine Life Aquarium Fishery (Non-FMP) Dip net, slurp gun, barrier net, drop net, allowable chemical, trap, pot, trawl.
17. Calico Scallop Fishery (Non-FMP):
A. Dredge fishery A. Dredge.
B. Trawl fishery B. Trawl.
C. Recreational fishery C. Hand harvest.
18. Summer Flounder Fishery (FMP managed by MAFMC):
A. Commercial fishery A. Trawl, longline, handline, rod and reel, pot, trap, gillnet, dredge.
B. Recreational fishery B. Rod and reel, handline, pot, trap, spear.
19. Bluefish, Croaker, and Flounder Trawl and Gillnet Fishery (Bluefish FMP managed by MAFMC) Trawl, gillnet.
20. Commercial Fishery (Non-FMP) Trawl, gillnet, longline, handline, hook and line, rod and reel, bandit gear, cast net, pot, trap, lampara net, spear.
21. Recreational Fishery (Non-FMP) Rod and reel, handline, spear, hook and line, hand harvest, bandit gear, powerhead, gillnet, cast net.
22. Sargassum Fishery (Non-FMP) Trawl.
23. Octopus Fishery (Non-FMP) Trap, pot.
24. Dolphin/wahoo fishery (FMP) Automatic reel, bandit gear, handline, pelagic longline, rod and reel, spear (including powerheads).
IV. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
1. Gulf of Mexico Red Drum Fishery (FMP) No harvest or possession in the EEZ.
2. Coral Reef Fishery (FMP):
A. Commercial fishery A. Hand harvest.
B. Recreational fishery B. Hand harvest.
3. Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery (FMP):
A. Snapper-Grouper reef fish longline and hook and line fishery A. Longline, handline, bandit gear, rod and reel, buoy gear.
B. Other commercial fishery B. Spear, powerhead, cast net, trawl.
C. Recreational fishery C. Spear, powerhead, bandit gear, handline, rod reel, cast net.
4. Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Fishery (FMP):
A. Gulf of Mexico commercial fishery