Under the provisions of M.G.L. Ch 30A and pursuant to the authority found in M.G.L. Ch. 130 §17A Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFC) have scheduled a hearing to accept comments on an emergency action that establishes a Spring Cod Conservation Zone (322 CMR 8.15):

1. comprised of waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth north of latitude 42° 30’, south of latitdue 42° 33’, east of 70° 43’ and west of 70° 40;
2. prohibiting any person from landing or possessing cod in the Spring Cod Conservation Zone (Spring CCZ) during May 1 through June 30;
3. allowing vessels to transit the Spring CCZ during May 1 through June 30 with cod in possession provided said cod were caught outside of the Spring CCZ and all fishing gear is stowed;
4. prohibiting any person from fishing, setting or abandoning gillnets in the Spring CCZ during May 1 – June 30.

A public hearing has been scheduled for:
Monday, May 11, 2009 ( 6PM ) at the Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station ( 30 Emerson Ave. )

Comments received by e-mail (marine.fish@state.ma.us), fax (617.626.1509), or mail (251 Causeway St., Suite 400;
Boston, MA 02114) will be accepted until 5PM on Tuesday, May 12, 2009.