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Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
DMF has adopted a series of emergency regulations that establish the recreational fishing limits for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. These limits are described in the table below and are consistent with the information provided in our March 26, 2024 Advisory.
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Species
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Fishing Mode
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Open Season
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Possession Limit
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Minimum Size
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Summer Flounder
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Shore
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May 24–September 23
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5 fish
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16.5"
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Private Vessel &
For-hire Vessel
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May 24–September 23
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5 fish
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17.5"
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|
Scup
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Shore
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May 1–December 31
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30 fish
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9.5"
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|
Private Vessel
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May 1–December 31
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30 fish (150 fish/
vessel maximum)
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11"
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|
For-hire Vessel
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May 1–June 30
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40 fish
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11"
|
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July 1–December 31
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30 fish
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Black Sea Bass
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Shore, Private Vessel & For-hire Vessel
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May 18–September 3
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4 fish
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16.5"
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Filleting Striped Bass
As described in our April 23, 2024 Advisory, DMF has adopted emergency regulations to update state rules concerning the at-sea and shore-side filleting of recreationally caught striped bass to clarify existing rules and comply with new interstate requirements.
Gulf of Maine Cod and Haddock
DMF is also proposing a series of draft regulations to mirror expected federal recreational fishing limits for Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod and haddock. The rules proposed, and described in the table below, match that which was recommended by the New England Fishery Management Council to NOAA Fisheries.
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Species
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Fishing Mode
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Open Season
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Possession Limit
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Minimum Size
|
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GOM Cod
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All
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September 1–October 31
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1 fish
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23”
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GOM Haddock
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All
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May 1–February 28 April 1–April 30
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15 fish
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18”
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Public Hearing and Comment Period
DMF will host a public hearing and accept written public comment on these recently enacted emergency and proposed draft regulations. The public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, May 20, 2024 at 6PM via Zoom. Please register here. Written public comment will also be accepted through 8PM on Monday, May 20, 2024. Please submit written comments to Director Daniel McKiernan by e-mail (marine.fish@mass.gov). For more information, please view the full public hearing notice or visit our proposed regulations website.
Please visit our website: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.
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