The summer period (August 1st) commercial black sea bass fishery will not open at this time. The Director may establish the summer-time (August 1st and beyond) trip limits based on available quota, however MarineFisheries’ quota monitoring staff have reported MA landings to date have reached (and possibly exceeded) the annual quota of 130,403-lbs. After reconciling what amount of these landings is Research Set-Aside (that does not count against the state quota) we expect there may be limited unused quota remaining, but a re-opening at this time, even with low trip limits, likely will result in a 2009 quota overage that will have to be subtracted from next year’s quota. 

Should MarineFisheries consider reopening the fishery later this year a declaration process would be required involving a two-week public comment period and MFC approval. Notice of any provisions to fish for black sea bass would subsequently be provided to the public via newspapers, Massachusetts Register, MarineFisheries Listserv and website.