# 648.88 Multispecies stock area definitions.
(a) *Definition of stock areas.* The species stock areas applicable for possession and trip limits specified in § 648.86, recreational minimum and maximum fish sizes, possession limits, and seasons specified in § 648.89, and for determining areas applicable to sector allocations of ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b) are defined in paragraphs (1) through (17) of this section. For stocks that have incidental catch TACs pursuant to § 648.85(b), the areas also identify stock areas associated with those incidental catch TACs. Copies of a chart depicting these areas are available from the Regional Administrator upon request.
(1) *GOM cod stock area.* The GOM cod stock is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and on the south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 1 to Paragraph (**a**)(1)—GOM Cod Stock Area
| Point | N latitude | W longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GOM1 | () | 70°00′ |
| GOM2 | 42°20′ | 70°00′ |
| GOM3 | 42°20′ | 67°40′ |
| GOM4 | () | 67°40′ |
| GOM5 | () | 67°40′ |
| GOM6 | 43°50′ | 67°40′ |
| GOM7 | 43°50′ | () |
| GOM8 | () | 67°00′ |
| GOM9 | () | 67°00′ |
| Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary (southern intersection with 67°40′ W long.). | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary (northern intersection with 67°40′ W long.). | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
| Intersection of the south-facing ME coastline and 67°00′ W long. | | |
(2) *GB cod stock area.* The GB cod stock is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 2 to Paragraph (**a**)(2)—GB Cod Stock Area
| Point | N latitude | W longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GB1 | | 70°00′ |
| GB2 | 42°20′ | 70°00′ |
| GB3 | 42°20′ | () |
| GB4 | 35°00′ | () |
| GB5 | 35°00′ | () |
| Intersection of north-facing Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
| Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35°00′ N lat. | | |
(3) [Reserved]
(4) [Reserved]
(5) *GB haddock stock area.* The GB Haddock Stock Area is defined as the area bounded on the west by the coastline of the United States, on the south by a line running from the east-facing coastline of North Carolina at 35° N lat. until its intersection with the EEZ, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and bounded on the north by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 5 to Paragraph (**a**)(5)—GB Haddock Stock Area
| Point | N Latitude | W Longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GB1 | () | 70°00′ |
| GB2 | 42°20′ | 70°00′ |
| GB3 | 42°20′ | () |
| Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
(6) *GOM haddock stock area.* The GOM Haddock Stock Area is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and on the south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 6 to Paragraph (**a**)(6)—GOM Haddock Stock Area
| Point | N Latitude | W Longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GOM1 | () | 70°00′ |
| GOM2 | 42°20′ | 70°00′ |
| GOM3 | 42°20′ | 67°40′ |
| GOM4 | () | 67°40′ |
| GOM5 | () | 67°40′ |
| GOM6 | 43°50′ | 67°40′ |
| GOM7 | 43°50′ | () |
| GOM8 | () | 67°00′ |
| GOM9 | () | 67°00′ |
| Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary southern intersection with 67°40′ W long.). | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary northern intersection with 67°40′ W long.). | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
| Intersection of the south-facing ME coastline and 67°00′ W long. | | |
(7) *GB yellowtail flounder stock area.* The GB yellowtail flounder stock area is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 7 to Paragraph (**a**)(7)—GB Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area
| Point | N latitude | W longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USCA1 | 42°20′ | 68°50′ |
| USCA16 | 42°20′ | () |
| USCA5 | 39°00′ | () |
| USCA17 | 39°00′ | 69°00′ |
| USCA18 | 39°50′ | 69°00′ |
| USCA2 | 39°50′ | 68°50′ |
| USCA1 | 42°20′ | 68°50′ |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
(8) *SNE/MA yellowtail flounder stock area.* (i) For the purposes of identifying stock areas for trip limits specified in § 648.86, and for determining areas applicable to sector allocations of SNE/MA yellowtail flounder ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder stock area is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 8 to Paragraph (**a**)(8)(**i**)—SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area
| Point | N Latitude | W Longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SNEMA1 | 35°00′ | () |
| SNEMA2 | 35°00′ | () |
| SNEMA3 | 39°00′ | () |
| SNEMA4 | 39°00′ | 69°00′ |
| SNEMA5 | 39°50′ | 69°00′ |
| SNEMA6 | 39°50′ | 68°50′ |
| SNEMA7 | 41°00′ | 68°50′ |
| SNEMA8 | 41°00′ | 69°30′ |
| SNEMA9 | 41°10′ | 69°30′ |
| SNEMA10 | 41°10′ | 69°50′ |
| SNEMA11 | 41°20′ | 69°50′ |
| SNEMA12 | 41°20′ | () |
| SNEMA13 | () | 70°00′ |
| SNEMA14 | () | 70°00′ |
| Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35°00′ N lat. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
| Intersection of east-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 41°20′ N lat. | | |
| Intersection of north-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| Intersection of south-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
(ii) For the purposes of the Regular B DAS Program, the SNE/MA yellowtail flounder B DAS stock area is the area bounded on the north, east, and south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 9 to Paragraph (**a**)(8)(**ii**)—SNE/MA Yellowtail Flounder B DAS Stock Area
| Point | N Latitude | W Longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SNEMA1 | 40°00′ | 74°00′ |
| SNEMA2 | 40°00′ | 72°00′ |
| SNEMA3 | 40°30′ | 72°00′ |
| SNEMA4 | 40°30′ | 69°30′ |
| SNEMA5 | 41°10′ | 69°30′ |
| SNEMA6 | 41°10′ | 69°50′ |
| SNEMA7 | 41°20′ | 69°50′ |
| SNEMA8 | 41°20′ | () |
| SNEMA9 | () | 70°00′ |
| SNEMA10 | 41°00′ | 70°00′ |
| SNEMA11 | 41°00′ | 70°30′ |
| SNEMA12 | () | 70°30′ |
| SNEMA13 | () | 72°00′ |
| SNEMA14 | () | 72°00′ |
| SNEMA15 | () | 73°00′ |
| SNEMA16 | 40°30′ | 73°00′ |
| SNEMA17 | 40°30′ | 74°00′ |
| SNEMA1 | 40°00′ | 74°00′ |
| East-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. | | |
| South-facing shoreline of Nantucket, MA. | | |
| Intersection of the south-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. | | |
| South-facing shoreline of CT. | | |
| North-facing shoreline of Long Island, NY. | | |
| South-facing shoreline of Long Island, NY. | | |
(9) *CC/GOM yellowtail flounder stock area.* (i) For the purposes of identifying stock areas for trip limits specified in § 648.86, and for determining areas applicable to sector allocations of CC/GOM yellowtail flounder ACE pursuant to § 648.87(b), the CC/GOM yellowtail flounder stock area is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and on the south by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 10 to Paragraph (**a**)(9)(**i**)—CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder Stock Area
| Point | N Latitude | W Longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CCGOM1 | () | 70°00′ |
| CCGOM2 | () | 70°00′ |
| CCGOM3 | 41°20′ | () |
| CCGOM4 | 41°20′ | 69°50′ |
| CCGOM5 | 41°10′ | 69°50′ |
| CCGOM6 | 41°10′ | 69°30′ |
| CCGOM7 | 41°00′ | 69°30′ |
| CCGOM8 | 41°00′ | 68°50′ |
| CCGOM9 | 42°20′ | 68°50′ |
| CCGOM10 | 42°20′ | () |
| Intersection of south-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| Intersection of north-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| Intersection of east-facing coastline of Nantucket, MA, and 41°20′ N lat. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
(ii) For the purposes of the Regular B DAS Program pursuant to § 648.85(b), the CC/GOM yellowtail flounder B DAS stock area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 11 to Paragraph (**a**)(9)(**ii**)—CC/GOM Yellowtail Flounder B DAS Stock Area
| Point | N Latitude | W Longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CCGOM1 | 43°00′ | () |
| CCGOM2 | 43°00′ | 70°00′ |
| CCGOM3 | 42°30′ | 70°00′ |
| CCGOM4 | 42°30′ | 69°30′ |
| CCGOM5 | 41°30′ | 69°30′ |
| CCGOM6 | 41°30′ | 69°00′ |
| CCGOM7 | 41°00′ | 69°00′ |
| CCGOM8 | 41°00′ | 69°30′ |
| CCGOM5 | 41°30′ | 69°30′ |
| CCGOM9 | 41°30′ | 70°00′ |
| CCGOM10 | () | 70°00′ |
| CCGOM11 | 42°00′ | 70°00′ |
| CCGOM12 | 42°00′ | () |
| CCGOM13 | 42°00′ | () |
| CCGOM14 | 42°00′ | () |
| Intersection with the NH coastline. | | |
| Intersection of the south-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. | | |
| Intersection with the east-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. | | |
| Intersection with the west-facing shoreline of Cape Cod, MA. | | |
| Intersection with the east-facing shoreline of Massachusetts. | | |
(10) *American plaice stock area.* The American plaice stock area is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and bounded on the south by a straight line running from the east-facing coastline of North Carolina at 35° N lat. until its intersection with the EEZ. The coordinates for the area can be found in paragraph (b) of this section.
(11) *Witch flounder stock area.* The witch flounder stock area is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and bounded on the south by a straight line running from the east-facing coastline of North Carolina at 35° N lat. until its intersection with the EEZ. The coordinates for the area can be found in paragraph (b) of this section.
(12) *GB winter flounder stock area.* The GB winter flounder stock area is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 12 to Paragraph (**a**)(12)—GB Winter Flounder Stock Area
| Point | N latitude | W longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USCA1 | 42°20′ | 68°50′ |
| USCA16 | 42°20′ | () |
| USCA5 | 39°00′ | () |
| USCA17 | 39°00′ | 69°00′ |
| USCA18 | 39°50′ | 69°00′ |
| USCA2 | 39°50′ | 68°50′ |
| USCA1 | 42°20′ | 68°50′ |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
(13) *GOM winter flounder stock area.* The GOM Winter Flounder Stock Area is the area bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 13 to Paragraph (**a**)(13)—GOM Winter Flounder Stock Area
| Point | N Latitude | W Longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GOM1 | () | 70°00′ |
| GOM2 | 42°20′ | 70°00′ |
| GOM3 | 42°20′ | 67°40′ |
| GOM4 | () | 67°40′ |
| GOM5 | () | 67°40′ |
| GOM6 | 43°50′ | 67°40′ |
| GOM7 | 43°50′ | () |
| GOM8 | () | 67°00′ |
| GOM9 | () | 67°00′ |
| Intersection of the north-facing coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary (southern intersection with 67°40′ N lat.) | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary (northern intersection with 67°40′ N lat.) | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
| Intersection of the south-facing ME coastline and 67°00′ W long. | | |
(14) *SNE/MA winter flounder stock area.* The SNE winter flounder stock area is the area defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 14 to Paragraph (**a**)(14)—SNE/MA Winter Flounder Stock Area
| Point | N latitude | W longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SNEMA1 | () | 70°00′ |
| SNEMA2 | 42°20′ | 70°00′ |
| SNEMA3 | 42°20′ | 68°50′ |
| SNEMA4 | 39°50′ | 68°50′ |
| SNEMA5 | 39°50′ | 69°00′ |
| SNEMA6 | 39°00′ | 69°00′ |
| SNEMA7 | 39°00′ | () |
| SNEMA8 | 35°00′ | () |
| SNEMA9 | 35°00′ | () |
| Intersection of the north-facing Coastline of Cape Cod, MA, and 70°00′ W long. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
| The intersection of the east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35°00′ N lat. | | |
(15) *Redfish stock area.* The redfish stock area is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and bounded on the south by a straight line running from the east-facing coastline of North Carolina at 35° N lat. until its intersection with the EEZ. The coordinates for the area can be found in paragraph (b) of this section.
(16) *White hake stock area.* The white hake stock area is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, bounded on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and bounded on the south by a straight line running from the east-facing coastline of North Carolina at 35° N lat. until its intersection with the EEZ. The coordinates for the area can be found in paragraph (b) of this section.
(17) *Pollock stock area.* The pollock stock area is defined as the area bounded on the north and west by the coastline of the United States, on the east by the U.S./Canadian maritime boundary, and bounded on the south by a straight line running from the east-facing coastline of North Carolina at 35° N lat. until its intersection with the EEZ. The coordinates for the area can be found in paragraph (b) of this section.
(b) *Stock area for unit stocks.* The stock area for all unit stocks listed in paragraph (a) of this section (American plaice, witch flounder, redfish, white hake, and pollock) are defined by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated:
Table 15 to Paragraph (**b**)—Unit Stock Area
| Point | N latitude | W longitude |
| --- | --- | --- |
| US1 | () | 67°00′ |
| US2 | () | 67°00′ |
| US3 | 43°50′ | () |
| US4 | 43°50′ | 67°40′ |
| US5 | () | 67°40′ |
| US6 | () | 67°40′ |
| US7 | 42°30′ | 67°40′ |
| US8 | 42°30′ | () |
| US9 | 35°00′ | () |
| US10 | 35°00′ | () |
| Intersection of south-facing ME coastline and 67°00′ W long. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary. | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary (northern intersection with 67°40′ N lat.). | | |
| U.S./Canada maritime boundary (southern intersection with 67°40′ N lat.). | | |
| Intersection of east-facing coastline of Outer Banks, NC, and 35°00′ N lat. | | |
[91 FR 11167, Mar. 9, 2026]