 |
Return to this section's table of contents |
DMF files emergency regulations to close the commercial scup fishery in Massachusetts. The closure also prohibits the possession of scup by dealers.
July 7, 1999
The existing 322 CMR 6.28(2) is replaced in its entirety with the following :
6.28(2) Summer
1999 scup closure for commercial fishermen and dealers
(a) It is unlawful for commercial fishermen to land or possess scup during
the period June 28 through October 31, inclusive.
(b) It is unlawful for dealers to possess or purchase scup during the period
July 9 through October 31, inclusive.
The following notice was sent out to Massachusetts Dealers authorized to purchase scup...
July 7, 1999
Ongoing Commercial Scup Closure Amended to Include Dealers
The current scup commercial fishery closure that began on June 28 has been amended by the Director's emergency authority. Effective on Friday July 9, scup possession and sale will also be prohibited for all wholesale and retail dealers in the Commonwealth.
Federal officials closed the scup fishery all along the east coast on June 28 for federally permitted vessels and DMF enacted a complementary closure for state-waters permitted fishermen. However as of July 7, some other states (e.g. Rhode Island) did not close their state waters fisheries, and DMF has received recent reports of the closure being subverted by commercial landings out-of-state and sale to in-state dealers. DMF has urged the other scup harvesting states to enact state waters closures to close this "loophole" and to prevent overages that would result in deductions from next year's quota.
Consequently, effective at 12:01 am on Friday July 9 possession of scup by any wholesale or retail dealer is prohibited throughout the Commonwealth. Furthermore, anglers and any other persons are reminded that the 100 fish per person recreational limit will be strictly enforced and sale of these fish is prohibited.
This closure will last through October 31 unless the summer quota is increased by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) on an emergency basis. November 1 begins the federally managed Winter II quota period, and the federally approved possession limit will be 4,000 lbs.
For more information,
contact DMF's Boston office at 617-626-1520, or
Contact: David Pierce, Division of Marine Fisheries at david.pierce@state.ma.us
|
Return to this section's table of contents |
