NMFS issues regulations to modify the management measures applicable to the American lobster fishery. This action exempts black sea bass fishers who concurrently hold limited access lobster and limited access black sea bass permits from the more restrictive gear requirements in the lobster regulations when fishing in Lobster Conservation Management Area 5 (LCMA 5) if they obtain a "Area 5 Trap Waiver" category permit. Under this exemption, such fishers are restricted to the non-trap lobster allowance while targeting black sea bass in LCMA 5. This regulation also clarifies that lobster trap regulations do not affect trap gear requirements for fishermen who do not possess a Federal limited access American lobster permit. The intent of these regulations is to relieve restrictions on fishers that were unintended, without compromising lobster conservation goals.