FYI:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries
251 Causeway Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626.1520
Fax (617) 626.1509


July 31, 2002
Press Release


QUARTER III BLACK SEA BASS COMMERCIAL FISHERY TO CLOSE ON AUGUST 6, 2002 AND COMMERCIAL STRIPED BASS FISHERY TO CLOSE ON AUGUST 8, 2002.


Black Sea Bass
On July 29th, both the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)
and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced that the Quarter
III Black Sea Bass commercial fishery would close on August 6, 2002. The
ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board established
an annual quota for the 2002 commercial black sea bass fishery, divided into
quarterly allocations. The 2002 Quarter III quota for Black Sea Bass in the
Northeast Region is 400,101 pounds.

After reviewing the most recent black sea bass dealer reports and other
available information for the current quarter, the Quarter III quota was
projected to be 100% harvested by August 6, 2002. The Division of Marine
Fisheries, MarineFisheries, is required to take complimentary actions in
order to bring the state of Massachusetts into compliance with the ASMFC.
The Quarter III commercial black sea bass fishery will close in state waters
as of 0001 hours August 6, 2002 through September 30, 2002. The Quarter IV
(October through December) black sea bass quota period will open on October
1, 2002 with a daily possession limit of 750 pounds/day and then adjust to
100 pounds/day for all gears or 700 pounds/week for the directed sea bass
pot
fishery.

Striped Bass
Based on dealer reports, MarineFisheries has projected the total quota for
the 2002 commercial striped bass fishery will be reached by August 8, 2002.
As of this date, a total of 527,262 pounds has been reported landed through
July 27th. The 2002 commercial striped bass fishery quota is 802,000
pounds. The 2002 commercial striped bass fishery will close in state waters
as of 0001 hours August 8, 2002. The 2003 commercial striped bass season is
scheduled to open July, 2003.

Authorized dealers are reminded to submit their completed transaction forms
for the 2002 commercial striped bass fishery no later than September 15,
2002. Transaction forms should be sent to DMF Statistics Project, 30
Emerson
Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930. Fishermen are reminded that a 2002 striped bass
catch report will be due at renewal time for 2003 licenses. Blank forms and
instructions can be obtained from the MarineFisheries web site at
www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.

For further information please contact MarineFisheries at 617.626.1520.