Lobster Harvest: Massachusetts 1990-2001

The polygon vector data represents DMF's Statistical Reporting Areas, which include a subset of the NOAA Fisheries', also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, reporting areas. Data is presented as the maximum number of pots fished in a statistical reporting area by year and license type, and the total pounds of lobster harvested in that area by year and license type.

The 25 distinct "statistical reporting areas" cover a large portion of the Gulf of Maine and south, including the territorial waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Fourteen of the areas compose the territorial waters, while the other 11 match those of the National Marine Fisheries Service areas for offshore bodies of water bordering the Commonwealth's territorial areas, including George's Bank. These areas are used mainly on maps for fishermen to report their landings (including lobster harvest), as well as for producing plots in various Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) annual publications showing landings per area.