Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) has projected that 50% of the 2008 annual black sea bass quota will have been reached by Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Consequently, effective 0001 hours on Thursday, May 29, 2008 through July 31, 2008 fishermen are prohibited from possessing black sea bass for commercial purposes. The fishery will re-open on August 1, 2008.

Commercial hook-and-line and pot fishermen are also reminded that consequent to closure of the commercial black sea bass fishery, possession of scup is prohibited during May 29 th through July 31st. Pot fishermen and hook-and-line fishermen are prevented from having a “directed” scup fishery until August 1. Draggers may continue to land and possess up to 400-lbs. of scup during the squid season.

The following possession limits and no-fishing days apply to commercial harvest of black sea bass when the fishery re-opens August 1st:

For further information including quota totals and regulations please visit the MarineFisheries web site at: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.