- 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.
During the period of July 1, 2023 through present, DMF initiated three new adjudicatory proceedings. These matters involve lobster trap limit violations; the commercial harvest of contaminated shellfish and shellfish tagging violations; and the unlawful sale and misreporting of shellfish. All three matters resulted in the immediate suspension of the individuals’ commercial fishing permit. The matter regarding the commercial harvest of contaminated shellfish and shellfish tagging violations has been resolved through a settlement agreement resulting in a suspension of the individuals shellfish permit and transaction card through December 31, 2024. The other two matters remain ongoing.
DMF also resolved one matter that was previously initiated involving menhaden overages during the 2022 fishing year and intentional misreporting. This matter was resolved through a settlement agreement with the respondent agreeing to forfeit their retail boat permit, transfer out of the menhaden fishery, and not apply for menhaden endorsement or participate in Massachusetts menhaden fishery again.
