The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) has projected that 28% of the 2008 commercial tautog quota will be taken by Monday, May 5, 2008. Consequently the spring commercial tautog fishery will close effective 0001 hours on Tuesday, May 6th through August 31, 2008. Possession of tautog for commercial purposes will be prohibited until the 2008 Fall Open Season begins on September 1st with a possession limit of 40 tautog per 24-hour day.

In an ongoing effort to conserve and rebuild local tautog stocks, MarineFisheries established a commercial tautog quota in 2007 with approval of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission. The 2008 commercial tautog quota is 64,753-lbs. Additionally, the spring period fishery beginning on April 16th was capped at 28% of the total with the remainder of the quota being applied to the fall fishing period.

Dealers are reminded that it is unlawful to purchase tautog from Massachusetts commercial fishermen when the fishery is closed. Quota totals and regulations can be monitored through the MarineFisheries web site at: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.