- Division of Marine Fisheries
Under state law, DMF may sanction commercial and recreational fishing permits for violations of the state’s marine fishery laws and regulations subject to a due process adjudicatory proceeding. These adjudicatory proceedings are held before a magistrate. They may be initiated by the agency, the Environmental Police, or municipal officials (constables) authorized to enforce the marine fishery laws of the Commonwealth.
No proceedings were initiated July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025, but five previously initiated proceedings were resolved through settlement agreements. Each of these five matters involved commercial striped bass violations and each settlement agreement resulted in the permit holder forgoing the renewal of their commercial regulated fishery permit endorsement for striped bass. One additional remaining matter initiated earlier this year addresses the failure of a commercial lobster permit holder to comply with electronic vessel monitoring requirements and permitting rules. An administrative hearing on this matter was held in early December 2025, and a final agency action will be forthcoming.
