The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument was established by Presidential Proclamation, under the authority of the Antiquities Act. Commercial fishing was prohibited within the monument via Presidential Proclamations 9496 and 10287, respectively. In 2024, NOAA Fisheries incorporated the Monument boundaries and commercial fishing prohibition into the regulations at 50 CFR 600.10 and 600.725(x). This rule conforms U.S. fishing regulations to the Presidential Proclamation Unleashing Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic, which removed the prohibition on commercial fishing within the Monument. Commercial fishing is allowed within the Monument, consistent with all other applicable regulations, including the implementing regulations for the New England Fishery Management Council’s Deep Sea Coral Amendment, found at 50 CFR 648.373, as follows:
- Commercial red crab fishing anywhere within the boundaries of the Monument;
- Commercial Atlantic Highly Migratory Species and pelagic fishing anywhere within the boundaries of the Monument; and
- Bottom-tending gear to be fished in the portion of the Monument that does not overlap with the Georges Bank Deep-Sea Coral Protection Area, including trap/pot gear, otter trawl, dredge, etc.
