DMF Renews Period II Summer Flounder Pilot Program
DMF has renewed the pilot program that allows commercial fishermen participating in the Period II summertime (June 10 – October 31) summer flounder trawl fishery to land two daily limits of lawfully caught and retained summer flounder over consecutive open commercial fishing days. Because of the night closure to mobile gear fishing and the long travel distance between fishing grounds and mainland ports, this program will increase the flexibility and safety for small-scale trawlers.
The program contains provisions that require the vessel operator to segregate the first day’s catch into a sealed container and provide documentation regarding each day’s fishing activity in a DMF issued logbook. This program allows fishermen to lay up overnight in ports on the islands south of Cape Cod or at-sea closer to the fishing grounds and fish consecutive calendar days before having to return to port to land their retained catch. In doing so, participants are expected to be able to more efficiently and effectively target the remaining fluke quota without increasing daily commercial trawl effort.
The pilot program will be implemented through a Letter of Authorization and Statement of Permit Conditions (LOA). To be eligible to participate, a fisherman must hold a commercial fisherman permit with regulated fishery permit endorsements for summer flounder and mobile gear (Coastal Access Permit), and the permit must be in good standing. Eligible fishermen must complete a Declaration to Participate Form and return it to Jared Silva by e-mail (jared.silva@mass.gov), fax (617-626-1509); or mail (Attn: Jared Silva, MA Division of Marine Fisheries, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114).
Once the form is received and processed, DMF will issue the permit holder an LOA, allowing participation in this program and setting forth the relevant guidelines. This LOA will also be accompanied by a daily logbook and the uniquely identifiable and sequentially numbered plastic seal tags. These tags are to be applied to the container holding the first day’s catch. Please note that there may be delays in processing Declaration Forms sent by mail or fax due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Electronic submission of this form will ensure a more expedient response.
For more information regarding the management of marine fisheries in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries
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