C.F.R. » Title 50 » CHAPTER VI—FISHERY CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE › PART 660—FISHERIES OFF WEST COAST STATES › Subpart F—West Coast Groundfish—Open Access Fisheries

50 C.F.R. § 660.319

Open access fishery gear identification and marking

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Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 64805, Oct. 13, 2026.

(a) Gear identification. (1) Open access fixed gear (longline, trap or pot, set net and stationary hook-and-line gear, including commercial vertical hook-and-line gear) must be marked at the surface and at each terminal end, with a pole, flag, light, radar reflector, and a buoy.

(2) Open access commercial vertical hook-and-line gear that is closely tended as defined at § 660.311 of this subpart, may be marked only with a single buoy of sufficient size to float the gear.

(3) A buoy used to mark fixed gear under paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section must be marked with a number clearly identifying the owner or operator of the vessel. The number may be either:

(i) If required by applicable state law, the vessel's number, the commercial fishing license number, or buoy brand number; or

(ii) The vessel documentation number issued by the USCG, or, for an undocumented vessel, the vessel registration number issued by the state.

(b) [Reserved]

Editorial Note:At 91 FR 64805, Oct. 13, 2026, § 660.319 was amended; however, the amendment could not be incorporated due to inaccurate amendatory instruction.