The Loligo squid trawl fishery in Massachusetts waters has been extended an additional 7 days through June 16 to allow fishermen to continue fishing for squid that migrate into Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds. The Director took this action considering the “late run” of squid this spring that featured lower than expected squid catch rates in early to mid-May and unexpectedly high catch rates in recent days.

This action will help local vessels continue to participate in the fishery that is managed under a federal quota on a trimester basis. Landings to-date suggest the summer (May-August) squid quota may not be reached without additional access to the fishing grounds of Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds.

The squid trawl fishery in Massachusetts waters is normally closed on June 10th to minimize discards of small unmarketable squid and undersized scup. Based on fishermen’s and dealer’s reports as well as sea sampling, small scup and small squid have not yet appeared in the catches in significant quantities. DMF sea and port samplers will continue to monitor the fishery to determine if any extension is warranted.

Trawler operators involved in the squid fishery are reminded that as of this date there are no federal trip limits for squid, but there are state-managed daily possession limits for some other relevant species:

• zero lbs. for black sea bass;
• 400 lbs. for scup;
• 100 lbs. for all flounders combined including summer flounder (“fluke”).

On June 10th, the directed summer flounder (fluke) fishery opens. Vessels targeting fluke will be required to use large mesh (6 ½”) and the daily limit is 300 lbs. for trawlers using large mesh nets.

For more information visit the MarineFisheries web site at: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.