It has come to the attention of the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) that there is confusion surrounding the possession limit for scup aboard private vessels. The 2008 possession rules for scup are:

Aboard for-hire vessels:
45 scup per person during May 15th through June 28th; and
10 scup per person during June 29th through September 17th.

From shore and aboard private vessels (May 24th – September 26th):
10 scup per person, not to exceed 50 scup per vessel.

This private vessel limit was inadvertently reduced to 20-scup when MarineFisheries implemented a reduced possession limit per recreational angler. A regulatory correction has been filed with the Secretary of State.

For further information visit the MarineFisheries webpage at: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.