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March 14, 2014
MarineFisheries Advisory

2014 MASSACHUSETTS RECREATIONAL BLACK SEA BASS, FLUKE, AND SCUP LIMITS APPROVED BY ASMFC

Massachusetts’ 2014 recreational fishing regulations for fluke, scup, and black sea bass have been approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Due to the late timing of this approval, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries), pending consent of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, will implement these regulations on an emergency basis.

Fluke
For 2014, the ASMFC adopted a regional approach for managing the coast’s recreational fluke fisheries with the intent of providing more equity in harvest opportunities among states. While initially grouped with Rhode Island and facing a size limit increase, MarineFisheries was able to successfully lobby for Massachusetts to be treated as its own region enabling status quo regulations for 2014.

For 2014 the following recreational limits will apply for fluke:
Mode
Season
Bag Limit
Minimum Size
Private Angler
May 22 – September 30
5 fish
16 inches
For-Hire
May 22 – September 30
5 fish
16 inches

Scup
The ASMFC manages scup on a regional basis, with the states from Massachusetts through New York comprising one region. While the region’s recreational harvest target for 2014 is reduced from 2013, no tightening of the regulations is required as the 2013 harvest is below the 2014 target. Each state in the region is implementing status quo regulations, meaning the regulatory liberalizations implemented last year will be maintained.

For 2014, the following recreational limits will apply for scup:
Mode
Season
Bag Limit
Minimum Size
Private Angler
May 1 – December 31
30 fish (150 fish vessel maximum)
10 inches
For-Hire Bonus
May 1 – June 30
45 fish
10 inches
For-Hire Regular
July 1 – December 31
30 fish
10 inches

Black Sea Bass
Recreational black sea bass fisheries will continue to be managed under a regional approach in 2014, with Massachusetts through New York comprising the northernmost region. With the region’s 2013 harvest exceeding its 2014 target, rules must be revised to moderately reduce harvest in 2014.

Similar to last year, Massachusetts will have one set of regulations for private anglers and for-hire clients, while also providing an opportunity for interested for-hire vessel operators to opt into a special access program under which their clients can harvest more fish in the fall at the expense of a reduced open season for their vessel. For-hire vessel operators must decide before the start of the season whether they want to fish under the standard regulations OR the special access program regulations.

For the vast majority of fishery participants, MarineFisheries has selected regulations that will account for the required harvest reduction through a 52-day shortening of the season (primarily in September and October) while at the same time allowing for a doubling of the bag limit. Because a small number of for-hire businesses rely on attracting out-of-state clients in the fall, the special access program will offer a 20-fish bag limit throughout September provided participating vessels adhere to a June through August closed season.

For 2014 the following recreational limits will apply for black seas bass:
Mode
Season
Bag Limit
Minimum Size
Private Angler
May 17 – September 15
8 fish
14 inches
For-Hire
May 17 – September 15
8 fish
14 inches
For-Hire Special Access Program
(LOA required*)
May 11 – May 31
8 fish
14 inches
September 1 – September 30
20 fish
14 inches
* To participate in the For-Hire Special Access Black Sea Bass Fishery, permit holders must apply for a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from MarineFisheries by no later than May 1, 2014. Click http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dmf/commercialfishing/2014-bsb-for-hire-loa-application.pdf to see the conditions that will apply and to request an LOA.

A subsequent public hearing and comment period will be announced at a later date. For further information, contact MarineFisheries at 617-626-1520 or visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.

Quote:

Originally Posted by niko (Post 1035318)

looks good to me

and togs open :uhuh:

It's disturbing to me that the "for hire" rec boats are getting a larger bag limit than the normal rec fishermen. This seems to be a new (or maybe it's not so new?) trend in fisheries management.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLH (Post 135321)

It's disturbing to me that the "for hire" rec boats are getting a larger bag limit than the normal rec fishermen. This seems to be a new (or maybe it's not so new?) trend in fisheries management.

That is to give the 6 recreational anglers on board More than 1.3 fish per person.
If you choose the for hire category you are forfeiting your rights to catch any seabass ZERO for June thru August.
You need a LOA letter of authorisation before hand to do that.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The "for hire" regs are in place to help charter captains maintain their livelihood. People hire these boats to catch a limit of fish, and some pay a premium to do it. People wouldn't hire those captains if reduced limits no longer justified the expenses associated. Keeping those guys in business is good for the fishing industry and the communities they're a part of.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Quote:

Originally Posted by seadogg (Post 1035334)

I think this is a great point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak (Post 1035332)

Isn't the bag limit per person and not per vessel?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Quote:

Originally Posted by seadogg (Post 1035334)

I understand the reasoning behind this but it further segregates the fishery. When it comes time for cuts the commercial guys are going say they can't afford any cuts. The for hire boats will do the same. So who is left? The true rec fisherman that really have no organized representation.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLH (Post 1035380)

Isn't the bag limit per person and not per vessel?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Not always; in RI there is a per person limit for blackfish, but a boat maximum..

Last year it was a per boat limit. These regs do not clarify per person or per boat.?
That was the whole reason for the for hire special letter of authorisation to increase.the boats limit
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND (Post 1035406)

Not always; in RI there is a per person limit for blackfish, but a boat maximum..

That's for private rec boats though and does not apply to the for hire boats right?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefishingfreak (Post 1035412)

Thanks I am not sure if I interpreted it correctly. The have been changes locally (in CT) where for hire boats have been given a larger bag limit and a longer season for some fish. It seems more fair to me if the limits are the same per person regardless of if its a private rec boat of a for hire boat. I get that it helps the guys trying to make a living running a for hire boat but at the same time it seems to screw the true rec guys.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

In RI its more of a per boat limit, the regs say that the limits will be enforced by dividing the number of fish on board by the number of anglers on board.