Effective 0001 hours on December 1st, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is taking emergency action to maintain the current 250-lb. commercial trip limit for yellowtail flounder harvested in waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. This action establishes a year-round 250-lb commercial yellowtail trip limit in place of the previous seasonal 250/750- lb. split. This action is consistent with recent federal rule changes taken under Framework Adjustment 42 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. MarineFisheries and the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission will be taking comments on this emergency action at public hearings on December 18th & 19th.

Public hearings scheduled for: