As specified in 322 CMR 6.35, the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) may, by declaration, establish and adjust the manner and times of taking spiny dogfish, and the legal size limits, numbers and/or quantities of spiny dogfish to be taken as prescribed by M.G.L. c.130 §17A and specified by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. DMF has established a public comment period on the following proposed measure for the 2009/2010 spiny dogfish fishery:

1. during May 1 – August 31, 2009, it shall be unlawful for commercial fishermen to land or possess more than 600-lbs. of spiny dogfish per day;
2. beginning September 1, 2009, the commercial spiny dogfish trip limit would be increased to anywhere between 1,500 - 2,000 pounds per day depending on an assessment of landings prior to September 1st.
3. once the northern states’ allocation (58%) of the ASMFC-approved 12-million pound quota has been reached, it shall be unlawful for commercial fishermen to land or possess any spiny dogfish.

Unless otherwise notified by the Director, annual specifications shall become effective on May 1, 2009. Notification of the increased trip limit beginning September 1st will be provided via MarineListserv and the MarineFisheries website. Contact MarineFisheries for further details.

Written comments may be received by e-mail, (marine.fish@state.ma.us), fax (617.626.1509), or mail (DMF; 251 Causeway St., Suite 400 ; Boston , MA 02114) and will be accepted until 5PM on Friday, April 10, 2009.

For further information please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.