Proposed amendments to Division of Marine Fisheries regulations

The following is a list of notices, by date of publication, for proposed Division of Marine Fisheries regulations. Click on the links below to view the hearing notices and proposed regulations.

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

March 22: Proposals Affecting Commercial and Recreational Trap Fisheries 
Lobster Carapace Size, V-Notch, Escape Vent and Trap Tag Rules Under Addendum XXVII; MA Lobster Tracer Buoy Line; and Housekeeping

Under the provisions of G.L. c. 30A and pursuant to the authority found at G.L. c. 130 §§ 17A, 80 and 104, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment on a series of proposed regulatory amendments to 322 CMR 6.00 and 12.00.

Consistent with Addendum XXVII to the American Lobster Fishery Management Plan, the draft regulations amend: (1) carapace and v-notch standards to affecting commercial fishers, seafood dealers, and recreational fishers; (2) escape vent sizes for commercial and recreational lobster and crab trap fishers in the Gulf of Maine; and (3) trap tag issuance rules for commercial lobster trap fishers in LCMA1 and LCMA 3.

The draft rules also allow the use of full formed red weak rope with a visible “MASS LOBSTER” tracer throughout the buoy line in Massachusetts Mixed Species Pot/Trap Fisheries (i.e. state waters trap/pot fisheries for lobster, scup, black sea bass and whelk) as a means of complying with existing buoy line breaking strength and buoy line marking requirements.

Lastly, housekeeping measures are being proposed to black sea bass pot seasons and protected species rules.

DMF will accept written public comment through 5PM on Friday, April 5, 2024. Please submit written comments to Director Daniel McKiernan by e-mail (marine.fish@mass.gov). Additionally, DMF will host an in-person public hearing on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 8:30AM at the Emerald Resort and Conference Center located at 35 Scudder Avenue, Hyannis, MA.

Details on the specific proposals are available in the links below:

February 28 and 29: 2024 Commercial Fishing Rules
Horseshoe Crabs, Summer Flounder, Whelk, Striped Bass, Menhaden, Mackerel, Groundfish, Smooth Dogfish, Shellfish, and Permitting

Under the provisions of G.L. c. 30A and pursuant to the authority found at G.L. c. 130 §§ 17A, 80 and 104, the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is taking public comment on a series of proposed regulatory amendments to 322 CMR 6.00, 7.00, 8.00, and 16.00. The draft regulations seek to amend commercial fishing regulations for the 2024 fishing season. If adopted, the proposed amendments will impact commercial fishing rules for striped bass, whelk, summer flounder, horseshoe crabs, smooth dogfish, menhaden, mackerel, and groundfish; refine certain rules affecting the sanitary harvest of shellfish, including having state regulations better conform to the Vp Control Plan; and modify permitting regulations affecting commercial permit display and transferability. 

DMF will accept written comment on these proposals through 5PM on Friday, March 8, 2024. Written comment should be submitted by e-mail to marine.fish@mass.gov and addressed to the attention of Director McKiernan. Additionally, DMF will host two in-person public hearings on Wednesday, February 28 and Thursday, February 29. More details on the times and locations of these hearings are provided below. Please note the scheduled times below are approximate and DMF will move onto the next public hearing item upon completion of the prior.

February 28, 2024 - Admiral’s Hall at MA Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA
5PM – 6PM: Horseshoe crabs.
6PM – 7PM: Whelk, summer flounder, groundfish, smooth dogfish.
7PM – 8PM: Striped bass, menhaden, mackerel.
8PM – 9PM: Shellfish and permitting.  

February 29, 2024 - DMF’s Annisquam River Field Station, 30 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA
5PM – 6PM: Striped bass, menhaden, mackerel.
6PM – 7PM: Whelk, summer flounder, groundfish, smooth dogfish.
7PM – 8PM: Horseshoe crabs
8PM – 9PM: Shellfish and permitting.

Please note the scheduled times below are approximate and DMF will move onto the next public hearing item upon completion of the prior. DMF will review and consider the input received at these hearings and during the written comment period in the development of any final regulatory recommendations. The MFAC is expected to discuss and vote on final DMF recommendations at their virtual March 19, 2024 business meeting. More information regarding this meeting—including DMF’s final recommendations and Zoom login information—will be published to the MFAC website by March 15, 2024.

Details on the specific proposals are available in the links below:

Contact   for Proposed amendments to Division of Marine Fisheries regulations

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