NMFS has reported that the 2006 Period I quota for spiny dogfish has been harvested (see September 20th NMFS notice: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/nr/nrdoc/06sdogper1close.pdf). Therefore, after Sunday, September 24, 2006 through October 31, 2006 commercial fishermen are prohibited from landing spiny dogfish.

The Period 2 quota opens on November 1 with a 600-lb. possession limit. However, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is awaiting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) review of its proposal to raise the daily trip limit up to 3,000 pounds. MarineFisheries requested consideration of a directed fishery at an August 15th meeting of the ASMFC Spiny Dogfish Policy Board. The ASMFC Board tabled action on the proposal until its October meeting to enable review by the Technical Committee. Further information on pending trip limit increases should be forthcoming in late-October.