On April 7, 2011 the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission approved a 3,000 lb commercial spiny dogfish trip limit for 2011. This fishery shall open on May 1, 2011 and will remain open until it has been determined that the Period I fishery has taken its 58% allocation of the 20-million lb 2011 quota.  The Massachusetts fishery will then remain closed through April 30, 2012.

State trip limits apply to all permit holders (state and federal) landing in the Commonwealth. When the Period I commercial fishery allocation is reached, MarineFisheries will close the fishery, and all retention and landings of dogfish (by state or federal permit holders) will be prohibited in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the end of the fishing year.