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Striped Bass Management in 2024 Under Addendum II
Expectations for Massachusetts Following New Interstate Management Plan Changes
On January 25, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved new coastwide recreational and commercial management measures for Atlantic striped bass under Addendum II to the interstate fishery management plan. These measures are necessary to reduce fishing mortality and maintain a positive trajectory for the population to rebuild by 2029. States have until May 1, 2024—at the latest—to implement the new measures. In summary, this action will require Massachusetts to:
- Maintain the recreational fishery’s one fish at 28” to less than 31” slot limit, year-round.
- Reduce the state’s commercial striped bass quota by 7%, from 735,240 pounds to 683,773 pounds, with no change to the 35” minimum size limit.
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Revise the state’s allowance for captains and crew of for-hire fishing vessels to fillet striped bass for their customers to include a requirement that the racks (i.e., carcasses) be retained.
Only the third item above requires a change to the state’s fishery management regulations. The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) expects to undertake emergency rulemaking to meet the May 1 implementation deadline. Prior to this, DMF will hold a virtual meeting for interested for-hire permit holders to provide input on revising the at-sea filleting allowance. The date and time for this meeting will be announced as soon as possible. Additionally, in consideration of the commercial quota reduction as well as recent fishery performance that has resulted in quota closures in early August the past two years, DMF will be proposing changes to the number and sequence of open commercial fishing days in 2024. An announcement of the public hearings dates and public comment period is expected shortly.
Read the full advisory for more details about Addendum II.
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