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2020 Commercial Striped Bass Fishery
The 2020 commercial striped bass fishery is scheduled to open on Wednesday, June 24. Over this winter, several adjustments were made to the commercial striped bass regulations, including changes to the commercial minimum size, the open fishing days, and a closure of the Cape Cod Canal to commercial striped bass fishing; for additional information, see DMF’s April 16 and June 3 advisories. This advisory serves to lay out the commercial striped bass rules for 2020.
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2020 Commercial Striped Bass Fishery Limits
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Activity
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Open Season
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Open Fishing Days
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Closed Fishing Days
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Possession Limit
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Minimum Size
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Boat-based permit from named vessel
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June 24 – Quota
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Mon/Wed
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Tues, Thur – Sun & Labor Day
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15 fish
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35”
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All other fishing activity
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June 24 – Quota
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Mon/Wed
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Tues, Thur – Sun & Labor Day
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2 fish
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35”
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2020 Annual Quota: 735,240 pounds
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In addition to the limits described in the table above, there are a number of longstanding rules affecting the commercial striped bass fishery. A commercial fishing permit with a regulated fishery permit endorsement for striped bass is required and trip-level catch reporting is mandatory. Striped bass may be taken by hook and line gear only; striped bass taken in any other gear must be immediately returned to the water. The high-grading of striped bass is prohibited, meaning that you cannot discard previously retained fish in favor of larger fish. The gaffing of any striped bass below the minimum size limit is prohibited. When fishing commercially, recreationally fishing may also not occur. The possession limits above apply per trip or per calendar day, whichever period is longer, and apply to the vessel per calendar day regardless of the number of permits held or carried onboard. Commercial fishermen may only sell commercial striped bass on open fishing days during the open season to seafood dealers authorized as primary buyers. Prior to sale, commercial fishermen may not fillet or process striped bass in any manner except evisceration.
For all commercial striped bass regulations, please refer to 322 CMR 6.07.
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