Due to late-breaking developments in the promulgation of changes to certain interstate management plans, MarineFisheries has enacted some emergency actions for the upcoming season.  These actions allow Massachusetts to remain in compliance with the interstate plans and in some cases to capitalize on more liberal catch limits allowed under the plans.    

The following changes are effective immediately:

Recreational Summer Flounder:  The recreational summer flounder season has been liberalized from 44 to 108 days.  The season will begin on May 22, 2010 and will close September 6, 2010.  Minimum size and bag limit remains unchanged at 18 ½” and 5 fish per angler.

Recreational Scup:  The for-hire bonus season will be 35 consecutive days, running from May 15, 2010 to June 18, 2010.  The bag limit for the bonus season is 40 fish.  Rules governing minimum sizes remain unchanged: anglers aboard for-hire vessels will be subject to an 11” scup minimum size while anglers aboard private vessels and from shore will be subject to a 10.5” minimum size.  The bag limits are for all anglers (except those participating in the for-hire bonus season) is 10 fish per angler (unchanged), and private vessels with six five or more persons aboard are limited to 50 scup.

Recreational Black Sea Bass:  A closed and open season is established.  The recreational black sea bass fishery will be closed from January 1 to May 21 and September 13 through December 31, resulting in an open season of May 22 through September 12. The size and bag limits remain unchanged: 20 fish per angler and 12 ½” minimum size.

Commercial Scup:  The commercial scup quota set-aside for the weir fishery will increase from 177,000 to 225,000 pounds commensurate with the increase in the overall 2010 Massachusetts summer period commercial quota. 

Coastal Sharks*:  All dealers who purchase coastal sharks from commercial fishermen are required to be authorized and permitted as federal shark dealers. 

Contact MarineFisheries for details at 617 626-1520 or visit the website at: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries

*Coastal sharks include: