For the 2013/2014 commercial spiny dogfish fishery, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Spiny Dogfish Board approved a 23.69 million pound quota and 4,000 pound trip limit for the Northern Region (ME-CT). To establish limits for the state’s 2013/2014 commercial spiny dogfish fishery, in accordance with the limits approved by the ASMFC, the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting comment on the following annual specifications:

1. Beginning May 1, 2013 it shall be unlawful for any commercial vessel or commercial permit holder to possess or land in excess of 4,000-lbs. of spiny dogfish per trip or per calendar day, whichever is longer; and
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, distributed through MarineFisheries Listserv and posted on the MarineFisheries website

Comment will be accepted on these proposed specifications until 12:00 PM (noon) on Tuesday, April 2, 2013. Written comment may be submitted to Jared Silva by e-mail (jared.silva@state.ma.us), by fax (617-626-1509) or by mail (251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114).