Public Hearing Notice  Winter 2020 Public Hearing

The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has scheduled public hearings and a public comment period to solicit feedback on proposed changes to commercial and recreational fishing limits to be implemented during the spring of 2020. These proposed regulations affect:

• bluefish recreational possession limits;
• striped bass recreational size limits, circle hook mandates, and the use of devices to remove striped bass from the water;
• striped bass commercial seasons, fishing days, and size limits;
• black sea bass commercial possession limits and bycatch allowances;
• summer flounder commercial possession limits;
• menhaden commercial possession limits and permitting;
• horseshoe crab commercial bycatch allowances;
• sand lance commercial possession limits;
• sea herring days-out management and spawning closures in Area 1A; and
• other regulatory housekeeping items.

The full public hearing notice is available here. Additionally, the public hearing notice, draft strikethrough regulations and other pertinent documents are available on the agency’s webpage dedicated to proposed regulations.  

DMF will accept written public comment on these proposals through 5 PM on Monday, March 16, 2020. Please address all written comments to Acting Director Daniel McKiernan and submit to DMF by e-mail at marine.fish@mass.gov or by post to 251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114. In addition, DMF will hold three public hearings throughout the Commonwealth. The public hearing schedule is below:

Public Hearing Schedule