The Director has determined that 100% of the Commonwealth’s 2012 black sea bass fishery quota (222,440 lbs.) is projected to be harvested by the end of the fishing day today, Wednesday, May 23, 2012.  The commercial black sea bass fishery will close effective 12:01 AM, Thursday, May 24, 2012, when it shall be unlawful for commercial fishermen to retain or land black sea bass through the end of the year or until otherwise notified.   

Please note today’s Quotas and Landings page on DMF’s website displays a harvest figure lower than the quota target because it includes only those transactions that have been entered into SAFIS as of 3:00 AM on May 23, 2012.  This commercial quota closure takes into account non-electronic (hand-written) dealer reports that have yet to be entered into the SAFIS database, real-time data requested of dealers by DMF Statistics and projected landings based on previous average daily harvests.   

For further information contact DMF at 617-626-1520 or please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.