Under the provisions of M.G.L. Ch 30A and pursuant to the authority found in M.G.L. Ch. 130 ss. 17, 17A, 80, 100A and 104, Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFAC) have scheduled hearings on the following recent emergency regulations:

1. A groundfish endorsement (322 CMR 7.01). For vessels without federal groundfish permits, a State Waters’ Multispecies Groundfish Endorsement is required to catch and possess for commercial purposes more than 75-lbs. of Multispecies Groundfish in any combination (cod, haddock, pollock, redfish, white hake, winter flounder, yellowtail flounder, windowpane flounder, American plaice, witch flounder and monkfish); and
2. Reclassification of MarineFisheries permits into two classes based on whether fishing takes place from shore or from a boat (322 CMR 7.01). All commercial fishing activity conducted from a boat, regardless of the size of boat or the directed fishery will require one of several boat permits; the rod and reel permit will continue to be issued as a commercial fishing permit only for individuals fishing from shore.

Two public hearings have been scheduled:
Monday, February 6, 2006 (6PM) at the Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station (30 Emerson Ave., Gloucester) &
Tuesday, February 7, 2006 (6PM) at the Plymouth Harbor Radisson Hotel (180 Water St., Plymouth)

Comments received by e-mail (marine.fish@state.ma.us), fax (617.626.1509), or
mail (251 Causeway St., Suite 400; Boston, MA 02114)
will be accepted until 5PM on Wednesday, February 8, 2006.