All persons interested in submitting comments on the proposed regulations may do so in writing by the date indicated in the notice. Refer to the full notice for the mailing address for submitting comments. All comments received by the date indicated in the notice will be reviewed and considered.
Upcoming Public Hearings and Comment Periods
Public Comment on Draft Commercial Fishing Regulations
published 1:45PM on March 5, 2021
Under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A and pursuant to the authority found at M.G.L. c. 130, §§ 17A, 80, 100A, and 104, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment and holding a virtual public hearing on draft regulations to amend 322 CMR 4.00, 6.00 and 7.00. These draft regulations affect commercial striped bass fishing, the open access menhaden fishery, black sea bass potting, bluefin tuna purse seining, and mobile gear fishing.
Public Hearing
DMF has scheduled a virtual public hearing for Monday, March 29 at 6PM. You must register in advance to attend this public hearing. A follow up e-mail will then be sent providing login and call in information. To register, click here. Once you register, login and call information will be provided. A recording of the public hearing will be published to DMF’s YouTube channel.
Written Public Comment
Written public comment will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 2021. Submit written comments to marine.fish@mass.gov or by post (251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114).
Documents for Public Hearing
Please contact Jared Silva (jared.silva@mass.gov) for more information.
Recent Public Hearings and Comment Periods
Public Comment on Draft Recreational Fishing Regulations
published 1:15PM on February 4, 2021
Under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A and pursuant to the authority found at M.G.L. c. 130 §§ 17A and104, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment and holding a virtual public hearing on draft regulations to amend 322 CMR 6.00. These draft regulations will implement new recreational fishing limits and gear regulations for 2021 affecting the use of circle hooks in the recreational striped bass fishery, recreational Gulf of Maine cod and haddock limits, and blue crab trapping.
Public Hearing
DMF is hosting a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at 6PM via Zoom. Pre-registration is required. You may register at here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NqHYhfhrQDOqCoyUwiAQBw. Once you register, login and call information will be provided. A recording of the public hearing will be published to DMF’s YouTube channel.
Written Public Comment Period
Written public comment will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021. Submit written comments to marine.fish@mass.gov or by post (251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114).
Documents for Public Hearing
Public Comment on New Protected Species Regulations Affecting Trap and Gillnet Fishing
published: 3:00 PM on November 13, 2020
Under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 30A, and pursuant to the authorities found at M.G.L. c. 130 §§ 2, 17(10), 17A, 80 and 104, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment and holding public hearings on proposed amendments to regulations at 322 CMR 6.00 and 12.00. These draft regulations are designed to reduce the risk of endangered right whales becoming entangled in fixed fishing gear and reduce the harm done to a whale if it interacts with fixed fishing gear.
In April 2020, DMF the Commonwealth was ordered by the US District Court to apply to NOAA Fisheries for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act, as DMF's licensing and regulation of vertical buoy lines may cause entanglements of endangered whales and sea turtles. DMF is currently in the process of applying to NOAA Fisheries for an ITP. To submit a viable ITP application, the applicant must develop a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) that details the steps being taken to minimize and mitigate impacts the activity is having on endangered species. These draft regulations will constitute the foundation of the state's HCP regarding North Atlantic right whales and thereby support DMF's ITP application.
Public Hearings
DMF hosted two virtual public hearings on December 8 and 9, 2020 via Zoom. The recordings of these hearings are available on DMF's YouTube Channel.
Written Public Comment Period
The public comment period is ongoing and written public comment will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2020. Please address written comments to Director Daniel McKiernan and submit it by e-mail to marine.fish@mass.gov or by post to the attention of Director McKiernan at 251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114. DMF has also scheduled two virtual public hearings for 6PM Tuesday, December 8, 2020 and Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
Documents for Public Hearing