NOAA Fisheries has finalized new gear marking and entanglement-reduction requirements for portions of the Pacific Coast groundfish fleet, including new color-coded lines and buoy markings for vessels fishing with pot and bottom longline gear.
The final rule, published in the Federal Register on Oct. 13, applies to limited entry and directed open access groundfish fisheries in federal waters off Washington, Oregon, and California. Most provisions take effect Jan. 11, 2027, while fishermen will have until Jan. 11, 2030, to transition to manufactured line meeting the new color requirements.
According to NOAA Fisheries, the measures are intended to make it easier to identify the fishery and gear type involved in marine animal entanglements while reducing the amount of fishing line in the water. The agency said the rule is partly a response to increased humpback whale entanglements involving Pacific Coast fishing gear since 2014.
Under the rule, every buoy used with groundfish pot gear must carry either an orange tag marked “GP” or have “GP” permanently marked directly on the buoy. Bottom longline buoys must similarly use brown tags marked “GL” or have “GL” permanently marked on the buoy. Vessel identification information will also be required on all buoys or their tags.
The top 20 fathoms, or 120 feet, of vertical line will also have to follow gear-specific color schemes. Pot gear will use orange and blue, while bottom longline gear will use brown and blue.
For the first three years, fishermen may temporarily mark existing line using the required colors, including methods such as paint or tape. Beginning Jan. 11, 2030, however, only manufactured line meeting the required color scheme will satisfy the marking requirement.
The rule also changes how fishermen may configure their gear at the surface. Previously, groundfish pot and bottom longline sets were required to have surface gear at both terminal ends. Fishermen will now have the option to use a vertical line and surface gear at only one end of a set, although they may continue using lines at both ends if they choose.
NOAA Fisheries said the voluntary single-line allowance is intended to reduce the number of vertical lines in the water while giving fishermen discretion based on fishing conditions and the risk of losing gear.
The agency is also limiting the amount of line permitted between surface buoys. Surface line may not exceed 60 feet from the main buoy to the last trailing buoy. NOAA Fisheries said the restriction is intended to reduce excess line that could pose an entanglement risk while leaving enough slack to account for changing tides and ocean conditions.
Additional changes address biodegradable escape panels on pot gear. Escape panels will no longer be permitted on the bottom of a pot, with an exception for collapsible pots. The rule also increases the maximum untreated cotton twine size used to close escape panels from No. 21 to No. 30, bringing the requirement in line with groundfish pot regulations off Alaska.
The agency estimates approximately 335 vessels currently fish for groundfish using bottom longline or pot gear and will face costs associated with the new marking requirements. NOAA Fisheries estimated an average compliance cost of $809 per vessel operator during the three-year transition period, including marked line, buoy tags, and temporary marking materials.
Industry concerns were raised during the rulemaking process, particularly over whether using only one vertical line could increase the risk of losing gear. NOAA Fisheries received 28 comment letters on the proposed rule, including five expressing general opposition and 13 generally supporting the rule.
In its response, the agency emphasized that the single-line provision is voluntary. Fishermen who believe conditions or their gear configuration require lines and surface gear at both ends may continue using them.
NOAA Fisheries said the final measures seek to balance reducing entanglement risk with maintaining fishermen’s ability to safely deploy and retrieve their gear.
