Through April 4, 2012, the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) will accept public comment on the annual specifications, as approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, for the 2012/2013 commercial spiny dogfish fishery:

1. Beginning May 1, 2012 it shall be unlawful for commercial vessels to land or possess more than 3,000-lbs. of spiny dogfish;
2. Once the Director has determined that the northern states’ allocation (58%) of the ASMFC-approved quota has been reached, it shall be unlawful for commercial fishermen to land or possess any spiny dogfish;

Pursuant to 322 CMR 6.35, the Director of MarineFisheries will declare the annual specifications following this public comment period and upon approval by the Marine Fisheries Commission.  The Director’s Declaration will be published in a local newspaper, the Massachusetts Register, MarineFisheries Listserv notification, the MarineFisheries website and mailed to holders of commercial fishing permits endorsed for spiny dogfish.

Written comments may be submitted by e-mail, (jared.silva@state.ma.us), fax (617-626-1509), or mail
(251 Causeway St., Suite 400; Boston, MA 02114) and through 5PM on Friday, April 20, 2012.