The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is taking emergency action to 1) lower the commercial and recreational haddock minimum size to 18” and 2) implement a 1,000-lb. daily commercial possession limit for witch flounder. These actions complement similar action taken by the National Marine Fisheries Service as part of the interim groundfish rules effective May 1st.

A public hearing to accept comments on these emergency rules will be held on June 2nd (9:30AM) at the MarineFisheries office at 1213 Purchase St., (3rd Floor), New Bedford. 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 Monday, June 1st or in person at the June 2nd public hearing.

Any proposals to complement additional aspects of recently enacted federal groundfish rules will be developed and discussed via separate rule making. Contact MarineFisheries for regulations and further details or visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.