As specified in 322 CMR 6.35 and M.G.L. Ch 130 § 17A, the Division of Marine Fisheries may, by declaration, establish and adjust the manner and times of taking spiny dogfish, and the legal size limits, numbers and/or quantities of spiny dogfish to be taken. Pursuant to M.G.L. Ch 30A § 3, the Division of Marine Fisheries will accept public comment on trip limit specifications for the 2011/2012 spiny dogfish fishery through March 2, 2011.
- Beginning May 1, 2011 it shall be unlawful for commercial vessels to land or possess more than 3,000-lbs. of spiny dogfish per day;
- Once the Director has determined that the northern states’ allocation (58%) of the ASMFC-approved 20-million pound quota has been reached, it shall be unlawful for commercial fishermen to land or possess any spiny dogfish.
Unless otherwise notified by the Director, these specifications shall become effective on May 1, 2011. Notification of the any changes to the 2011/2012 trip limit and season will be provided via MarineListserv and the MarineFisheries website.
Written comments will be received by e-mail, (marine.fish@state.ma.us), fax (617-626-1509), or mail (251 Causeway St., Suite 400; Boston, MA 02114) and through 5PM on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.
For further information please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries or contact Jared Silva at (617-626-1534 or jared.silva@state.ma.us).
