On March 29, 2012 the Division of Marine Fisheries proposed annual specifications to compliment the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 3,000 lb commercial spiny dogfish trip limit for 2012.  Public comment was accepted from April 4, 2012 through April 20, 2012.  Pursuant to 322 CMR 6.35 the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission will review the public comment received by the Division of Marine Fisheries and vote to approve the 3,000 lb specified trip limit.  This vote will be completed conducted through an electronic fax to be completed by April 25, 2012.

Following a vote by the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries, in accordance with 322 CMR 6.35, will declare Massachusetts’ annual specification for   2012/2013 commercial spiny dogfish trip limits.  The commercial spiny dogfish fishery will open with the approved and declared trip limit on May 1, 2012 and will remain open until 58% of the 2012/2013 coastwide spiny dogfish quota has been landed. 

If you have any further questions about this topic, please call Jared Silva at 617-626-1534 or jared.silva@state.ma.us.