Public Hearing and Comment Period Scheduled
Under the provisions of G.L. c. 30A and pursuant to the authority found at G.L. c. 130 §§ 17, 17A and 104, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment and holding a virtual public hearings on: (1) proposed draft regulations to amend 322 CMR 6.03 to set the 2022 recreational fishing limits for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock consistent with proposed federal rules; and (2) emergency regulations at 322 CMR 6.03 that implemented recreational fishing limits for Southern New England (Georges Bank) cod. Full text of the regulations may be found on DMF’s website along with additional relevant background information.
Recreational Gulf of Maine Cod (322 CMR 6.03). DMF is proposing draft regulations to establish an open season of September 1–October 7, 2022 and April 1–14, 2023 for the recreational cod fishery in the Gulf of Maine with a one fish bag limit and a 22” minimum size limit.
Recreational Gulf of Maine Haddock (322 CMR 6.03). DMF is proposing draft regulations to establish an open season of May 1, 2022–February 28, 2023 and April 1–30, 2023 for the recreational haddock fishery in the Gulf of Maine with a 20 fish bag limit and a 17” minimum size limit.
Recreational Southern New England Cod (322 CMR 6.03). DMF is taking public comment on emergency regulations that adopted an open season of August 1–April 30 for the recreational cod fishery in Southern New England with a five fish bag limit and a slot size limit with a minimum size of 22” and a maximum size of 28”.
Public Hearing and Comment Schedule
DMF will host a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 8AM take comment on the above described draft and emergency regulations. Please register for the hearing at: https://bit.ly/3bFmGV0.
DMF will also accept written public comment through 5PM on Monday, September 12, 2022. Submit written comments to Director Daniel McKiernan by e-mail (marine.fish@mass.gov) or post (251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114). For more information visit DMF’s website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.
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