New regs came out. A #^&#^&#^&#^&ing joke.
Changes to regulations
New minimum fish sizes, daily per angler bag limits, and fishing seasons
Effective Date: May 1, 2014

We are implementing the following interim Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod and haddock recreational
management measures. These are the minimum fish sizes, per angler daily possession (bag)
limits, and fishing seasons for when these two stocks can be kept. The measures are applicable
for the GOM regulated mesh area. These measures will remain in place for the 2014 fishing year
(May 1, 2014, to April 30, 2015) or until replaced by other measures. If measures are changed at
a later date, an additional bulletin will be issued and widely distributed.
2014 Gulf of Maine Recreational Measures:
Cod:
• The minimum fish size increases to 21 inches.
• The daily per angler bag limit is not changing and remains 9 fish per day.
• Possession prohibited (closed season) increases by 2 months: now September 1, 2014 -
April 15, 2015. Possession of cod in the GOM regulated mesh area is permitted May 1-
August 30, 2014, and April 15-30, 2015.

Haddock:
• The minimum fish size is not changing and remains 21 inches.
• The daily per angler bag limit is decreasing from an unlimited amount to 3 fish per day.
• Possession prohibited (closed season) increases by 4 months: September 1-November
30, 2014, and March 1- April 30, 2015. Possession of haddock in the GOM regulated
mesh area is permitted May 1-August 30, 2014, and December 1, 2014-February 28,
2015.

FY 2014 Gulf of Maine Regulated Mesh Area Recreational Fishery Measures
Species Daily Bag Limit
(fish per angler)
Minimum Fish
Size, Inches (cm)
Retention Prohibited
(closure periods)
Cod 9 21 (53.34) September 1, 2014 - April 14, 2015
Haddock 3 21 (53.34)
September 1-November 30, 2014
and
March 1 – April 30, 2015

Not worth going ground fishing now.

add the inshore ground species, black seabass, scup, fluke, tautog.

And you should take up, something landbased like like growing vegetables until that's deemed dangerous

I don't think I get it - so you think these scientists are being over-reactive and there should be an increased take?

It's funny cause many on this board (included me) would like to see something like this for striped bass

hey - I think i'll start a charter business, lol

Maybe they'll have another one of those "wonderful" charter buy-back programs, where the government buys you baot from you for a fraction of what it's worth??? :smash::fury::smash:

No wonder I've seen so many charter Capts start talking about scup/BSB trips this year.....

Should be some good deals on Cod jigs soon...
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hey - I think i'll start a charter business, lol

Good move, like my stock skills, buy high sell low,,, :devil2:
Any Mack's up u way yet?

another 2 weeks or so gup

I don't think I get it - so you think these scientists are being over-reactive and there should be an increased take?

It's funny cause many on this board (included me) would like to see something like this for striped bass

These "scientist" formulated the plan that has been followed for the last 10 years to rebuild the species.
Yes I think they're overreacting! Economically they're targeting the wrong fisherman. Charterboats recreational anglers do little damage to the species, however they have a significant economical impact.
I'm not sure where you get that people are asking for an increase???
This decision was designed to put people out of business.
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Should be some good deals on Cod jigs soon...
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Or lots of cod jigs getting melted down and poured into Yo Yo weights.
:-)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these changes being implemented?

The recreational catch of both GOM cod and haddock exceeded the catch limit in place for FY 2013. Because the FY 2013 recreational overage was substantial, significant changes in management measures are needed to ensure the recreational fishery does not exceed its catch limit again in FY 2014.

Why is the haddock bag limit so low for this year?
A very small bag limit is required to sufficiently reduce recreational haddock catch and prevent additional quota overages. Analysis shows that many anglers encounter and keep only small numbers of haddock. The available information for FY 2013 shows that, on average, less than one haddock was kept per angler. As a result, changing the bag limit for haddock from unlimited to 10 fish per angler, for example, would not reduce catch because anglers keep far less than 10 haddock.
Allowing four or more haddock to be kept would require implementing larger minimum fish size and/or more seasonal closures. We heard clearly at the Council meeting that a haddock size limit larger than 21 inches would only result in a lot of discards and potential noncompliance. We also heard the preference for changes in the bag limit paired with a fall (September-October) closure. A 21-inch size limit and fall closure alone did not ensure a strong enough likelihood that the catch limit wouldn’t be exceeded in FY 2014.
How is a day defined for per angler bag limits?

Any trip longer than 15 hours and covering 2 consecutive calendar days is considered more than 1 day. Similarly, any trip longer than 39 hours and covering 3 consecutive calendar days is considered more than 2 days and, so on, in a similar fashion.
Can I continue to fish after catching my bag limit or during
Yes, you can continue to fish after keeping your daily bag limit; however, you may only catch and release. We have a guide for catch and release written for large pelagic species (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/Compliance_Guide/Careful_release_brochure.pdf) but much of the information is applicable to any catch-and-release fishery.
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Less than 1 Haddock per Angler was taken, yet Recreational anglers exceeded their TAC.

This system stinks.
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YUP!!! it is over for charter boats that go for ground fish....who is going to pay 1200 -1500 bucks for a bottom fishing trip?....according to NOA the rec's did it to them selves over fishing the quota in 2013....U can blame the draggers if ya like but WEEEEEEE did to ourselfs.

Well explained buckman.

Looks like recreational, charter & commercial striper fishing R left...it may be time to make striper fishing a sports fishery and do away with commercial since a select few want the commercial fishery for themselfs of which most RRRR actually recreational striper fishermen only except for a short period of time...maybe in order to be considered a commercial fisherman for striped bass most of your yearly income should be in the commercial fishery.

As far as recretional striped bass fishing goes maybe there should be a one fish limit per day per person with no more then 3 or 4 in possession like they do for fresh water fishing... no body needs 2 fish every day.

As far as recretional striped bass fishing goes maybe there should be a one fish limit per day per person with no more then 3 or 4 in possession like they do for fresh water fishing... no body needs 2 fish every day.

How many people do you think actually catch and keep two stripers a day?

Ill clean up with Redfish charters
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Ill clean up with Redfish charters
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Noaa will come for you next year.
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How many people do you think actually catch and keep two stripers a day?

to be honest, I would give them away to people fishing at the state pier or to family or friends and waitdresses....if I went out with one or two friends that is 4-6 fish at least 3 times a week....this is recreational fishing....at the pier I always looked for a family that may be fishing and people with kids would be first on my list....people at the pier fish their hearts out and catch very little fish thru out the summer ....there is no law that says that they can not be given away.

These "scientist" formulated the plan that has been followed for the last 10 years to rebuild the species.
Yes I think they're overreacting! Economically they're targeting the wrong fisherman. Charterboats recreational anglers do little damage to the species, however they have a significant economical impact.
I'm not sure where you get that people are asking for an increase???
This decision was designed to put people out of business.
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Sorry, wasn't that clear, I meant many would like to see something like this for stripers, meaning a decrease in the rec and comm take...

As for the cod - sounds like they need to focus more on the draggers and such...

Ill clean up with Redfish charters
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if i never see another redfish it will be too soon. maybe we can find them in 600' next time

My buddy's friend owns the a fleet of boats at the Chatham fish pier.
They got the right idea.
Forget catching fish, Seal tours are where the $$$ is at.
Business is good with all the nutcase Yuppie Liberal #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& environmentalist down there, and there is never a slow day locating your target :yak5:

My buddy's friend owns the a fleet of boats at the Chatham fish pier.
They got the right idea.
Forget catching fish, Seal tours are where the $$$ is at.
Business is good with all the nutcase Yuppie Liberal #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& environmentalist down there, and there is never a slow day locating your target :yak5:

Seals laying on Brant Rock today in Marshfield...I bet the huge population increase has had no impact in the Cod population...
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