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 Advisory: Forum on For-Hire Recreational Fisheries To Improve Fishery Monitoring and Angler Compliance in the For-Hire Recreational Fishery
 
 
 December 7, 2015
 MarineFisheries Advisory
 
 Forum on For-Hire Recreational Fisheries
 To Improve Fishery Monitoring and Angler Compliance in the
 For-Hire Recreational Fishery
 
 All charter and party boat permit holders are invited to attend a forum with the Division of Marine Fisheries and Environmental Police to devise ways to improve fishery monitoring programs and angler compliance with conservation measures.
 
 The for-hire recreational fishery is an important component of our modern maritime economy, attracting tourists and accommodating many anglers who otherwise may not have sufficient access to fishing in our waters. We recognize the essential services and valuable recreational opportunities that for-hire vessels provide to the public.
 
 DMF conducts sampling of the for-hire recreational fishery for purposes of characterizing angler catch and participation. It is critically important to gather accurate data to effectively manage the fishery. Angler and vessel operator cooperation are essential to minimizing the bias and error associated with the data. A presentation on the conduct of the sampling program will be given with opportunity for questions and feedback from you as fishery participants.
 
 After numerous violations of size, bag limit, and season were observed this past year on for-hire vessels, DMF is inviting for-hire vessel operators and owners to share insights and advice with us to improve the compliance level and the conservation ethic of for-hire vessel anglers. In 2014, DMF enacted regulations that made the for-hire permit holder or vessel operator responsible for violations committed by their clients (along with the angler).  After two seasons of fishing under these restrictions, it is appropriate to bring vessel operators and owners together for a discussion of the effectiveness of this regulation and craft any recommendations for changes.
 
 Two meetings will be held:
 
 January 13, 2016 at 6PM
 DMF Annisquam River Station
 30 Emerson Avenue
 Gloucester, MA 01930
 January 14, 2016 at 6 pm
 Massachusetts Maritime Academy
 101 Academy Drive
 Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
 
				 Last edited by Guppy; 12-07-2015 at 06:54 PM..
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