Marine fisheries policies

The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) develops and implements marine fisheries regulations in the Commonwealth. We've established the following management policies to clarify certain regulations.

Transfer of limited entry permit policies

• COVID-19 Actively Fished Transfer Policy
• Policy on Vessel Ownership Requirements for Use of Limited Entry Permits and Replacement Vessels
• Lobster Permit Transfer Policy
• Lobster Permit Trap Transfer Policy
• Conch Pot Endorsement Transfer Policy
• Non-Profit Permit Transfer Policy
• Rod & Reel Fluke, Sea Bass, and Tautog Transfer Policy
• Transfer of Bundled Limited Entry Permits and Endorsements

Other commercial permit policies

• Minimum Age for a Commercial Permit Holder Policy
• Interstate Shipment of Non-Conforming Lobster Products Policy
• Sale of Shellfish at a Farmer's Market Policy
• Importation, Possession and Processing of Non-Conforming Quahogs
• Guidelines to Commercial Menhaden Fishery Permitting Rules
• Guidelines for Commercial Sea Scallop Dredge Fishery
• Student Lobster Permit - Residency, Edible Crab Possession, and Full-Time Student

Habitat policies

• Eelgrass Restoration and Monitoring Technical Guidelines