MarineFisheries has recently mailed reminders to all delinquent (as of October 18, 2005) permit holders endorsed for striped bass reminding them to submit their 2005 striped bass catch reports by the November 30th regulatory deadline. The mailed reminder is provided below. If you receive a reminder please make sure you respond as appropriate to ensure you do not lose your striped bass permit for 2006.

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Dear Striped Bass Permit Holder:

As of October 18, 2005, MarineFisheries has not received your 2005 Striped Bass Catch Report. This is a FINAL NOTICE that MarineFisheries must receive your catch report prior to the regulatory deadline of November 30, 2005. As a current holder of a commercial striped bass permit, you are required to submit a catch report by the deadline, even if you only fished minimally or not at all. A signature dated prior to November 30th but received by MarineFisheries after November 30th is not considered submitted on time.

Failure to comply with this deadline may result in the loss of your commercial striped bass permit for 2006. Last year over 800 permit holders were denied re-issuance of their permits for failure to report on time. By not submitting timely catch reports, effective management of the fishery is compromised by delayed and insufficient statistics.

Contact Story Reed at 617.727.3336 ext. 115 with any questions, concerns, or if you believe you have received this delinquency notice in error to ensure MarineFisheries receives your catch report before the regulatory deadline.

Catch reports can be downloaded online at
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/commercialfishing/cr_striped_bass_2005.pdf