The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) has projected that the spring tautog commercial allocation will be taken by Sunday, May 2.  Consequently the commercial spring tautog fishery will close effective 0001 hours on Monday, May 3, 2010.

In an ongoing effort to conserve and rebuild local tautog stocks, MarineFisheries established a commercial tautog quota in 2007, with approval of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission. The 2010 overall commercial tautog quota is, 64,753 lbs, with the spring allocation being set at, 18,080 lbs, 28% of the total quota.

Dealers are reminded that it is unlawful to purchase tautog from Massachusetts commercial fishermen when the fishery is closed. Quota totals and regulations can be monitored through the MarineFisheries web site.