The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is providing this notice that the commercial possession limit for scup has decreased from 30,000-lbs. to 1,000-lbs. effective immediately. As noted in the February 10th notice of annual specifications for the Winter I period commercial scup fishery, the possession limit drops once 80% of the Winter I period commercial scup quota has been harvested. On March 16th, NOAA Fisheries notified MarineFisheries that 80% of this quota is projected to have been harvested.

NOAA Fisheries manages the Winter I commercial scup fishery under a coastwide quota. To ensure consistent management, MarineFisheries finalized annual specifications that complement federal regulations for the Winter I period. The Winter I commercial scup fishery remains open through April 2009 or until the federal coastwide quota is fully harvested, whichever comes first. The 2009 Winter I commercial scup quota allocated to vessels landing scup from Maine through North Carolina is 3,777,443 pounds.  

MarineFisheries administers a state-specific commercial scup quota during the summer period, which is managed through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. MarineFisheries is holding a public hearing on March 23rd to gather comments on proposed regulations for the 2009 summer period. Notification of final regulations will be provided via the MarineFisheries Listserv and website.

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