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DMF Public Hearing Notices

Under the provisions of M.G.L. Ch 30A and pursuant to the authority found in M.G.L. Ch. 130 ss. 17A & 80, the Division of Marine Fisheries and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission schedule public hearings to accept comment on regulatory actions and proposed changes to 322 CMR. 

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2026 Notices

5/8/26: Surf Clam and Ocean Quahog Dredge Fishery Management
4/23/26: Recreational Sea Bass and Haddock and Recreational and Commercial Mackerel Limits
2/23/26: Updated 2026 Winter Omnibus Public Hearing Notice
1/30/26: 2026 Winter Omnibus Public Hearing Notice

2025 Notices

12/10/25: REMINDER: Public Hearing on Draft Framework to Permit and Authorize Removal, Possession, and Disposal of Fishing Gear Debris
11/21/25: Public Hearing Framework to Enable Clean Up of Fishing Gear Debris
10/28/25: Public Hearing on Commercial Striped Bass Permitting
4/23/25: Public Hearing on State Implementation of Addendum 32 to the Lobster Fishery Management Plan
2/14/25: 2025 Omnibus Public Hearing Notice for Rule Changes Affecting Recreational and Commercial Fisheries

2024 Notices

04/26/24: Public Hearing on Recreational Fishing Rules for 2024 Affecting Black Sea Bass, Scup, Summer Flounder, Cod, Haddock, and the Filleting of Striped Bass
2/21/24: Public Hearing Notice on Proposals Affecting Commercial and Recreational Trap Fisheries
02/04/24: Public Hearing Notice on Proposed 2024 Rule Changes to Commercial Fishing Regulations

2023 Notices

09/13/23: Public Hearing on Recreational Cod and Haddock Limits
05/24/23: Public Hearing Notice on Recreational Striped Bass Slot Limit Adjustment
04/28/23: Public Hearing Notice on 2023 Recreational Scup and Black Sea Bass Limits
03/31/23: Public Hearings on Commercial Fisheries for Menhaden, Horseshoe Crabs, Summer Flounder, and Groundfish

2022 Notices

9/30/22: November 3 Public Hearing on Trap Fisheries, Mobile Gear Seasons, and Whelk Gauging
9/30/22: November 1 Public Hearing on Mackerel, Recreational Tautog, Shortfin Mako, and Groundfish Maximum Retention
08/05/22: Public Hearing and Comment Period for 2022 Recreational Cod and Haddock Limits
04/29/22: June 6, 2022 Public Hearing on Recreational Fishing Limits
2/18/22: March 16, 2022 Public Hearing on Commercial Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass, and Spiny Dogfish Limits and Regulatory Housekeeping
2/18/22: March 14, 2022 Public Hearing on a Commercial Menhaden and Bluefish Limits, Commercial Striped Bass Permitting, and Regulatory Housekeeping
1/3/22: Federal Informational Webinars on Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding - Public Hearings on Proposed Commercial and Recreational Measures to Follow, Open PDF file, 192.31 KB (English, PDF 192.31 KB)

2021 Notices

12/9/21: Notice of January 6, 2022 Virtual Public Hearing and Public Comment Period: Draft Regulatory Proposals Affecting Commercial Gillnet and Groundfish Fishing, Squid Trawling, and Winter Period Scup Limits
12/9/21: Notice of January 5, 2022 Virtual Public Hearing and Public Comment Period: Draft Regulatory Amendments Affecting Buoy Line Marking for Trap Gear, Commercial Lobster and Crab Trap Tag Implementation Deadlines, and Seasonal Student Lobster Permits
04/16/21: Public Hearing Notice on New Buoy Line Marking Rules for Commercial Lobster and Crab Trap Fishery
03/05/21: Public Hearing Notice on Commercial Fishing Regulations Affecting Striped Bass, Menhaden, Black Sea Bass Pots, Bluefin Tuna Purse Seining and Mobile Gear
02/04/21: Public Hearing Notice on 2021 Recreational Fishing Rules Affecting Circle Hooks and Striped Bass, Gulf of Maine Cod and Haddock Limits, and Blue Crab Trapping

2020 Notices

11/13/20: Public Hearing on New Protected Species Regulations Affecting Trap and Gillnet Fishing
07/10/20: Public Hearing on Closure of Cape Cod Canal to Commercial Striped Bass Fishing, Open PDF file, 243.05 KB (English, PDF 243.05 KB)
03/13/20: 2020 Winter Omnibus Public Hearing Notice Updated to Extend Public Comment Period , Open PDF file, 293.56 KB (English, PDF 293.56 KB)
02/07/20: Winter Omnibus Public Hearing, Open PDF file, 294.89 KB (English, PDF 294.89 KB)

2019 Notices

09/25/19: Public Hearing on New Lobster Processing Rules Scheduled for October 17, 2019, Open PDF file, 156.04 KB (English, PDF 156.04 KB)
08/09/19: Public Hearing Scheduled on Various Proposals Affecting Tautog, Coastal Sharks, Winter Fluke, Lobsters, Ocean Quahogs and Permits, Open PDF file, 156.66 KB (English, PDF 156.66 KB)
05/16/2019: Recreational Fishing Limits for Cod, Haddock, Scup and Black Sea Bass, Open PDF file, 155.28 KB (English, PDF 155.28 KB)
01/28/19: 2019 Omnibus Regulatory Adjustments, Open PDF file, 160.54 KB (English, PDF 160.54 KB)

2018 Notices

12/28/18: Public Hearing Notice Shellfish Regulations, Open PDF file, 154.21 KB (English, PDF 154.21 KB)
12/14/18: Public Hearing Notice Right Whale Protections and Whelk Gauge Size, Open PDF file, 155.92 KB (English, PDF 155.92 KB)
11/30/18 Public Hearing Notice State-Waters Multispecies Groundfish, Open PDF file, 153.84 KB (English, PDF 153.84 KB)
09/18/18: Revised Public Hearing Notice on Mobile Gear Fishing Rules, Open PDF file, 151.17 KB (English, PDF 151.17 KB)
08/22/18: Public Hearing Notice on Proposed Experimental Kelp Aquaculture Array in Buzzards Bay, Open PDF file, 5.95 MB (English, PDF 5.95 MB)
05/18/18: ASMFC Public Hearing & Comment Period on American Eel Management, Open PDF file, 130.18 KB (English, PDF 130.18 KB)
05/04/18: Public Hearing Notice - 2018 Recreational Fishing Limits, Open PDF file, 72.19 KB (English, PDF 72.19 KB)
03/05/18 Public Hearing: 2018 Fishing Limit Adjustments, Open PDF file, 82.7 KB (English, PDF 82.7 KB)

2017 Notices

12/28/17: ASMFC Public Hearings & Comment Period on Recreational Black Sea Bass, Open PDF file, 147.07 KB (English, PDF 147.07 KB)
08/28/2017: Public Hearing on a Commercial Tautog Fishery Control Date and Permitting , Open PDF file, 131.42 KB (English, PDF 131.42 KB)
08/11/2017: Horseshoe Shoals Kelp Aquaculture Public Hearing and Comment Period , Open PDF file, 69.71 KB (English, PDF 69.71 KB)
07/27/2017: Public Hearing Notice for 2017 Recreational GOM Cod and Haddock Limits , Open PDF file, 75.86 KB (English, PDF 75.86 KB)
06/12/2017 ASMFC Public Hearing on Tautog Management: June 21 , Open PDF file, 174.74 KB (English, PDF 174.74 KB)
05/18/2017 Public Hearing Notice: Commercial Black Sea Bass and Recreational Black Sea Bass and Fluke , Open PDF file, 71.78 KB (English, PDF 71.78 KB)
03/02/2017 ASMFC Public Hearing on Commercial Scup Managment: March 23, 2017 , Open PDF file, 83.28 KB (English, PDF 83.28 KB)
02/27/2017 ASMFC Public Hearing on American Lobster Management: March 23, 2017, Open PDF file, 179.63 KB (English, PDF 179.63 KB)
01/13/2017 Public Hearing Notice: Four Public Hearings Scheduled to Address Numerous Fishery Proposals , Open PDF file, 91.37 KB (English, PDF 91.37 KB)

2016 Notices

12/27/2016 ASMFC Public Hearing on Summer Flounder Recreational Management: January 11, 2017, Open PDF file, 133.91 KB (English, PDF 133.91 KB)
08/16/2016: Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Special Permit for Experimental Kelp Longline Culture in Coastal Waters off Manchester, MA Thursday September 8th at 6 pm at DMF_s Annisquam River Facility 30 Emerson Ave. Gloucester, MA, Open PDF file, 381.58 KB (English, PDF 381.58 KB)
06/10/2016: Public Hearing Notice: Aquaculture, Mobile Gear Vessel Replacement, Surf Clams, Whelk, Commercial Scup, American Eels, Trap Tags, Sink Gillnets, Regulation Organization, Open PDF file, 65.69 KB (English, PDF 65.69 KB)
05/06/2016 Public Hearing Notice: Recreational Fishing Limits for Black Sea Bass and Gulf of Maine (GOM) Cod and Haddock; Harwich Recreational Fishing Reef Restricted Area; and Sea Herring Spawning Closure Adjustments, Open PDF file, 64.07 KB (English, PDF 64.07 KB)
02/24/2016 Public Hearing Notice: Harwich Recreational Fishing Reef Project and Closing Reef Site and Adjacent Buffer Zone to Commercial Fishing, Open PDF file, 60 KB (English, PDF 60 KB)
02/17/2016 Reviced Public Hearing Notice: Vibrio Management Public Hearings and Public Comment Period, Open PDF file, 69.68 KB (English, PDF 69.68 KB)

2015 Notices

12/30/2015 Notice of Public Hearings and Public Comment Period: Rules Affecting the Commercial and Recreational Lobster and Pot Fisheries, Open PDF file, 66.18 KB (English, PDF 66.18 KB)
07/01/2015 Notice of Public Hearings and Public Comment Period: Emergency Regulations Requiring a White Shark Special Permit to Conduct Certain Activities around White Sharks , Open PDF file, 62.44 KB (English, PDF 62.44 KB)
04/27/2015 Notice of Public Hearings and Public Comment Period Gulf of Maine Cod and Haddock and Recreational Black Sea Bass, Open PDF file, 64.18 KB (English, PDF 64.18 KB)

2014 Notices

Notice of ASMFC Public Hearing: Fluke Recreational Management - January 08, 2015, Open PDF file, 70.2 KB (English, PDF 70.2 KB)
12/23/14 Notice of Public Hearings and Public Comment Period, Open PDF file, 81.73 KB (English, PDF 81.73 KB)
Notice of Public Hearing: Proposal to Increase Recreational and Commercial Lobster Permit Fees, Open PDF file, 31.31 KB (English, PDF 31.31 KB)
Notice of Joint ASMFC/MAFMC Scoping Hearing: Summer Flounder - October 2, Open PDF file, 73.4 KB (English, PDF 73.4 KB)
Notice of ASMFC Public Hearing: Cancer Crab - September 24, Open PDF file, 70.19 KB (English, PDF 70.19 KB)
Notice of ASMFC Public Hearings: Striped Bass - September 2, 3, & 4, Open PDF file, 73.05 KB (English, PDF 73.05 KB)
Notice of ASMFC Public Hearings: Spiny Dogfish - September 2 and 3, 2014, Open PDF file, 71.14 KB (English, PDF 71.14 KB)
Notice of Public Hearings: 2014 Recreational Gulf of Maine Cod Limits Tuesday, September 16, 2014 at 5:00 PM, Open PDF file, 73.95 KB (English, PDF 73.95 KB)
Notice of Public Hearings Scheduled for June 18, 2014, Open PDF file, 65.95 KB (English, PDF 65.95 KB)
2/4/14 Notice of Public Hearing Scheduled for February 18, 2014, Open PDF file, 64.57 KB (English, PDF 64.57 KB)
1/27/14 Notice of Public Hearings Scheduled for February 18 and 19, 2014, Open PDF file, 65.42 KB (English, PDF 65.42 KB)
1/17/14 Notice of Public Hearings Scheduled for 2/11/14 and 2/12/14, Open PDF file, 79.05 KB (English, PDF 79.05 KB)

2010 Notices

Notice of public hearings - December 8 and 15, 2010, Open PDF file, 240.62 KB (English, PDF 240.62 KB)
Notice of public hearings - September 27 and 28, 2010, Open PDF file, 226.91 KB (English, PDF 226.91 KB)
Notice of Massachusetts ASMFC public hearing - August 16, 2010, Open PDF file, 233.87 KB (English, PDF 233.87 KB)
Notice of public hearing - May 10, 2010, Open PDF file, 190.35 KB (English, PDF 190.35 KB)
Notice of public hearings - January 19, 2010, Open PDF file, 162.81 KB (English, PDF 162.81 KB)
Notice of ASMFC public hearing - January 8th, 2010, Open PDF file, 208.47 KB (English, PDF 208.47 KB)

2013 Notices

11/21/13 Notice of Public Hearings Scheduled for December 19, 2013, Open PDF file, 64.02 KB (English, PDF 64.02 KB)
06/27/2013 Notice of Public Hearing and Comment Period to Accept Comments on Recently Enacted Emergency Regulations, Open PDF file, 78.54 KB (English, PDF 78.54 KB)
5/13/13 Notice of Public Hearing and Comment Period to Accept Comments on Recently Enacted Emergency Regulations, Open PDF file, 62.43 KB (English, PDF 62.43 KB)
4/12/13 Notice of Public Hearing Scheduled for May 16, 2013 - Striped Bass Management, Open PDF file, 62.8 KB (English, PDF 62.8 KB)
1/14/13 Notice of Public Hearings Scheudled for February 13, 2013, Open PDF file, 77.85 KB (English, PDF 77.85 KB)
Notice of Public Hearings - January 17, 2013, Open PDF file, 154.88 KB (English, PDF 154.88 KB)

2012 Notices

Notice of ASMFC/DMF Public Hearing - October 16, 2012, Open PDF file, 167.31 KB (English, PDF 167.31 KB)
Notice of ASMFC/DMF Public Hearing - October 4, 2012, Open PDF file, 166.72 KB (English, PDF 166.72 KB)
Notice of ASMFC/DMF Public Hearing - October 4, 2012, Open PDF file, 169.78 KB (English, PDF 169.78 KB)
Notice of ASMFC Public Hearing - June 21, 2012, Open PDF file, 167.16 KB (English, PDF 167.16 KB)
Notice of ASMFC Public Hearing - June 5, 2012, Open PDF file, 98.23 KB (English, PDF 98.23 KB)
Notice of Public Hearings - June 5 and 7, 2012, Open PDF file, 235.39 KB (English, PDF 235.39 KB)
Notice of Public Hearings - January 10 and 11, 2012, Open PDF file, 156.55 KB (English, PDF 156.55 KB)

2011 Notices

Notice of Public Hearings - November 29 and 30, 2011, Open PDF file, 226.9 KB (English, PDF 226.9 KB)
Scoping Meetings - October 4th and 5th , 2011, Open PDF file, 167.66 KB (English, PDF 167.66 KB)
Open Meeting for Public Market Commission's Sub-Committee on Fish and Seafood Scheduled for August 31, 2011, Open PDF file, 159.71 KB (English, PDF 159.71 KB)
Notice of public hearings - May 31, 2011, Open PDF file, 167.01 KB (English, PDF 167.01 KB)
Notice of public meetings - March 15 and 16, 2011, Open PDF file, 221.04 KB (English, PDF 221.04 KB)
Notice of Massachusetts ASMFC public hearing - February 10, 2011, Open PDF file, 170.45 KB (English, PDF 170.45 KB)
Notice of public hearing - January 13, 2011, Open PDF file, 163.54 KB (English, PDF 163.54 KB)
Notice of NEFMC/MAFMC scoping hearings - January 4, 10, and 11, 2011, Open PDF file, 163.95 KB (English, PDF 163.95 KB)

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