As specified in 322 CMR 6.35, the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) 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 as prescribed by M.G.L. c.130 §17A and specified by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. DMF has established a 14-day public comment period, from March 15 to March 29, 2010, on the following proposed measure for the 2010/2011 spiny dogfish fishery:

1. Beginning during May 1, 2010 it shall be unlawful for commercial fishermen to land or possess more than 2,000-lbs. of spiny dogfish per day;
2. Once the Director has determined that the northern states’ allocation (58%) of the ASMFC-approved 15-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, annual specifications shall become effective on May 1, 2010. Notification of the any changes to the 2010 trip limit and season closure will be provided via MarineListserv and the MarineFisheries website. Contact MarineFisheries for further details.

Written comments may be received by e-mail, (marine.fish@state.ma.us), fax (617.626.1509), or mail (DMF; 251 Causeway St., Suite 400; Boston, MA 02114) and will be accepted until 5PM on Monday, March 29, 2010.

For further information please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.