[JohnR]

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MAY 2, 2003

MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION
PASSES NEW REGULATIONS FOR
SCALLOPS, TRAWL MESH, LOBSTER, SCUP & STRIPED BASS.

At the May 1, 2003 monthly business meeting of the state's Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFC), new regulations were enacted affecting commercial lobster fishermen in Areas 2, 3 and outer Cape Cod, sea scallop hand harvesters, recreational and commercial striped bass fishermen, commercial scup fishermen and the trawl fishery. These issues were discussed at February 3-4 and April 14, 16 & 17 public hearings and will be in effect on May 23, 2003 (please note emergency regulations became effective on May 2, 2003).

1) A 1 bushel (whole)/ 4 quarts (shucked meats) possession limit for the recreational scallop fishery was passed. Hand harvesters of scallops with any quantities above this recreational limit will each be required to possess individual commercial permits endorsed for sea scallop diving. Out-of-state harvesters from states without reciprocal privileges will be prohibited from obtaining such an endorsement.

These changes were based on a petition received by MarineFisheries to amend current scallop regulations as a means to better manage this fishery and create licensing reciprocity between states’ of concern (MA & ME).

2) A 6 ½” trawl minimum mesh size for the cod-end was passed (6” throughout the remainder of the net). This action amends current stricter regulations that require a 6 ½” trawl minimum mesh size throughout the entire net. This new regulation complements the current federal regulation.

3) The 3 11/32” minimum size for lobsters in LCMA 2, currently in place through emergency action, was permanently adopted along with a scheduled increase to 3 3/8” on July 1, 2003 (an increase to 3 11/32” on July 1, 2003 for LCMA 3 and OCC was previously approved). Although this is a compliance issue with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission fishery management plan, there was general support for this measure at the public hearings as the Area 2 Lobster Conservation Management Team was actively involved in calling for such increased measures to address the drastic decline in stock conditions.

4) For the striped bass recreational fishery, a 2 fish daily possession limit for the recreational striped bass fishery was approved (minimum size to remain at 28”). The decision to allow two fish at the 28” minimum size versus a slot limit was made as:

· this measure meets the resource conservation objectives of Amendment 6;

· most of the fish composing the “second fish harvest” would fall below 40 inches where most population abundance resides,

· it will be simpler to enforce and for anglers to comply with;

· and finally, it would be consistent with regulations in most other states.

5) The following measures to amend the commercial scup summer fishery period regulations were taken:

· Weir set-aside increased to 225,000-lbs;

· 100-lb. possession limit for fishermen fishing by hook-and-line or pots during the open black sea bass season prior to July 1;

· August 1 start date for the directed fishery;

· directed fishery possession limit increased to 400-lbs;

· and Friday was added to the current no-fishing days of Saturday and Sunday.

6) Emergency action (effective May 2, 2003) was taken to adopt a May 1, 2003 control date for the commercial striped bass fishery after which any person issued a new commercial fisherman’s permit endorsed for striped bass fishing will not be assured of future access to or participation in this fishery if a management regime is developed and implemented that limits the number of participants in this fishery.

7) Finally, the Director extended the moratorium on lobster license transfers and restrictions on issuance of commercial offshore lobster permits enacted on February 6, 2003.

8) The proposed MarineFisheries effort control plan will be aired at public hearings on May 27th in Gloucester and May 29th in Taunton.

For more information please contact MarineFisheries at 617.626.1520

or visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.