Under the provisions of M.G.L. Ch. 30A and pursuant to the authority found in M.G.L. Ch. 130 §17A, 80 & 17C and 801 CMR 4.02, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFC) have scheduled hearings to accept comments on proposed amendments to rules governing multi-species groundfish, and the sale of aquaculture-reared shellfish.

Two public hearings have been scheduled:

September 27, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:30 PM at the Plymouth Public Library.  132 South Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. 

September 28, 2010 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at the MarineFisheries Annisquam River Station Office.  30 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930.

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1. Multi-species Groundfish. MarineFisheries’ proposals to amend regulations (322 CMR 6.00 and 7.00) amendments to compliment certain federal rules.Commissioner
   1. Amend the definition of multi-species groundfish to include ocean pout and wolfish;
   2. Enact a prohibition on the retention and landing of wolffish, windowpane flounder and ocean pout;
   3. Increase the minimum size limit for halibut from 36-41”;
   4. Extend the November 1 – March 31 recreational cod season when anglers may catch, retain and land only 2-cod each by 15-days until April 15;
   5. Restrict the possession of groundfish filets.  Any skinned filets must include at least 2 square inches of skin and the quantity of filets in possession shall not exceed twice the bag limit per recreational angler or twice the vessel limit, whichever is less.  Comments are also sought on whether to further restrict the possession of filets by commercial fishermen by multiplying by three the weight of filets to determine overall compliance with per vessel weight trip limits.
2. Aquaculture Raised Shellfish.  MarineFisheries’ proposals liberalize regulations (322 CMR 6.20) to allow sale of undersized shellfish raised by permitted Massachusetts Aquaculturists. Sale shall be limited to product produced by the aquaculturists themselves to wholesale dealers on the Interstate Shellfish Shipper’s List and may only be re-sold to persons or markets outside the Commonwealth.

Comments will be accepted by e-mail (marine.fish@state.ma.us), fax (617-626-1509) or mail (251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114) until 5 PM on Wednesday September 29, 2010.

Copies of proposed regulations may be obtained by contacting Jared Silva by email (jared.silva@state.ma.us), phone (617-626-1534) or at the above fax or mailing address.