Dr. David Pierce, Dan McKiernan, Steven Correia

Management of marine fisheries unique to state waters and that cross state/federal boundaries is a constant, ongoing endeavor. MarineFisheries is the state agency responsible for managing the Commonwealth's commercial and recreational fisheries. A core of fisheries management professionals, with many years of practical experience and knowledge of Massachusetts recreational and commercial fisheries, compose the team that assists the Director with initiating, evaluating, and selecting fisheries management policy and strategies to implement rules and regulations. These rules and regulations frequently result from participation on - and support of - New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC) fishery management plans and interstate fisheries management through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

Our fisheries policy and management staff gathers and analyzes biological and economic data, communicates with the media and public on state/interstate/federal fisheries management issues, and ensures agency adherence to administrative and regulatory protocol and procedures. This process also relies on our multitalented scientific/technical staff to provide biological analyses and technical reviews of management options to conserve marine fisheries resources for sustainable fisheries and fisheries habitat protection.

Frequent communications with commercial and recreational fishermen and other facets of these fishing industries is another important element of fisheries policy and management development. This effort directly involves a diverse array of fishermen, dealers, processors and many others in fisheries management, which improves the scientific/technical database on which managers rely on.

Also, quarterly public hearings are held by the Commonwealth's Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission established by the Legislature in 1961. The Commission and the Department's Commissioner must approve regulatory changes that MarineFisheries proposes.