Gear Managed Areas

Shrimp Fishery Access Areas

Shrimp Fishery Access Areas exist within the largest of the deep water coral areas, the Stetson-Miami Terrace CHAPC. Access to a small portion of the historical fishing grounds for the Rock Shrimp fishery allows these fishermen to continue operating in traditional grounds.

Within the Shrimp Fishery Access Areas, fishing with a shrimp trawl and/or shrimp possession is allowed by any vessel holding a Rock Shrimp limited access endorsement and equipped with an approved vessel monitoring system (VMS).

Use the interactive map below to explore the Shrimp Fishery Access Areas.

Golden Crab Allowable Fishing Areas

The Council created Allowable Golden Crab Fishing Areas within the CHAPCs to allow the Golden Crab fishery to continue in traditional grounds. The Golden Crab fishery has traditionally operated in deep water within the current Stetson-Miami Terrace CHAPC and Pourtales Terrace CHAPC off of east Florida.

 Allowable Golden Crab Fishing Areas restrict the deployment of Golden Crab traps to traditional Golden Crab fishing grounds to avoid impacting deep-water coral habitat.

Use the interactive map below to explore the Golden Crab Allowable Fishing Areas.

Spiny Lobster Closed Trap Areas

The Council created Spiny Lobster Closed Trap Areas off the Florida Keys to protect threatened species of corals and address the requirements of a 2009 Endangered Species Act (ESA) biological opinion on the Spiny Lobster fishery. Amendment 11 prohibited fishing with Spiny Lobster trap gear year-round in these areas.

You may find the coordinates listed in the CFR link at  §622.406.

Use the interactive map below to explore the Spiny Lobster Closed Trap Areas.