Recreational Shark Regulations
Species |
Minimum Size |
Possession Limit |
All Permitted Sharks
(exceptions listed below) |
54 inches |
1 total per trip |
Atlantic Sharpnose Shark |
No min size |
included in total shark bag limit
+ 1 additional |
Bonnethead Shark |
No min size |
included in total shark bag limit
+ 1 additional |
Smooth Dogfish |
No min size |
included in total shark bag limit
+ 1 additional |
Blacknose Shark |
No min size |
included in total shark bag limit |
Finetooth Shark |
No min size |
included in total shark bag limit |
Permitted Species
The following species are allowed to be harvested:
Smooth Dogfish,
Atlantic sharpnose,
Bonnethead,
Finetooth,
Blacknose,
Tiger,
Blacktip,
Spinner,
Bull,
Lemon,
Nurse,
Scalloped hammerhead,
Great hammerhead,
Smooth hammerhead,
Shortfin mako,
Porbeagle,
Common thresher,
Oceanic whitetip, Blue
Prohibited Species
The following species are prohibited from harvest:
Silky, Sandbar, Sand tiger,
Bigeye sand tiger,
Whale,
Basking,
White,
Dusky,
Bignose,
Galapagos,
Night,
Caribbean reef,
Narrowtooth,
Caribbean sharpnose,
Smalltail,
Atlantic angel,
Longfin mako,
Bigeye thresher,
Sharpnose sevengill,
Bluntnose sixgill,
Bigeye sixgill
Recreational Shellfish Regulations
Species |
Minimum Size |
Other Restrictions |
|
Bay Scallop |
well defined growth ring |
Closed 4/1 - 10/1
consult town regulations |
|
Conch |
2 ¾" shell width |
consult town regulations |
|
Oyster |
3" shell diameter |
consult town regulations |
|
Quahog |
1" shell thickness |
consult town regulations |
|
Sea Scallop |
3 ½" shell diameter |
daily limit of 1 bushel in shell, or 4 quarts of shucked meats |
|
Softshell Clam |
2" shell diameter |
consult town regulations |
|
Surf Clam |
5" shell diameter |
consult town regulations |
|
How to measure shellfish
Recreational Lobster and Crab Regulations
Gulf of Maine Recreational Lobster Area |
| Minimum Size |
3 1/4" |
| Maximum Size |
5" |
| V-Notched Females - Definition |
"Zero-Tolerance" - Illegal to harvest female with V-shaped notch of any size with or without setal hairs |
| Trap Limit |
10 Traps |
| Escape Vent |
One rectangular vent 1 15/16" x 5 3/4" or two circular vents of 2 7/16" in diameter |
| Bag Limit |
15 lobsters per day |
Outer Cape Cod Recreational Lobster Area |
| Minimum Size |
3 3/8" |
| Maximum Size |
- |
| V-Notched Females - Definition |
Illegal to harvest female with notch or indentation in base of flipper at least 1/4" deep and tapering to sharp point without setal hairs |
| Trap Limit |
10 Traps |
| Escape Vent |
One rectangular vent 2" x 5 3/4" or two circular vents of 2 5/8" in diameter |
| Bag Limit |
15 lobsters per day |
Southern New England Recreational Lobster Area |
| Minimum Size |
3 3/8" |
| Maximum Size |
5 1/4" |
| V-Notched Females - Definition |
Illegal to harvest female with notch or indentation in base of flipper at least 1/8" deep with or without setal hairs |
| Trap Limit |
10 Traps |
| Escape Vent |
One rectangular vent 2" x 5 3/4" or two circular vents of 2 5/8" in diameter |
| Bag Limit |
15 lobsters per day |
How to Measure Your Catch
How to measure finfish
For Massachusetts marine waters, the minimum size for fish (exceptions listed below) is the greatest straight line length (not curved over the body) from the anterior tip of the jaw or snout (mouth closed) to the farthest extremity of the tail. Fish should be firmly grasped with both hands for proper measuring. Care should be taken so that the head firmly contacts the zero mark on rulers and tapes simultaneously with the tail extremity. For fish with forked tails, the upper and lower fork may be squeezed together to measure the tail extremity.
Black sea bass if the tail filament (tendril) is present, it is not included in the total length measurement.
Billfish (swordfish, sailfish, marlin) are measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the tail fork
Sharks are measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail.
Tunas measurement is taken in a line, tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail, which crosses the dorsal insertion of the pectoral fin and the dorsal side of the caudal keel.
How to Measure Lobster & Crab
The Massachusetts Saltwater Recreational Fishing Guide conatains the recreational lobster and crabbing rules as well as other useful information.
How to Measure Shellfish
Measurement rules vary by species
Shell Diameter
surf clam, softshell clam, sea scallop,
oyster |
Shell Thickness
quahogs |
Shell Width
whelks |
Sportfish Biologists
Matt Ayer - North Shore; Boston to Hull
John Boardman - South Shore and South Coast
Paul Caruso - Cape Cod and Islands
Environmental Law Enforcement
Hewitts Cove: (781) 740-1163
Radio Room: (617) 626-1665
North Coastal Bureau: (978) 283 - 7764
Toll Free Number: (800) 632 - 8075
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