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MA BSB / Fluke 2017
Black Sea Bass
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved states retaining status quo regulations for 2017. Status quo regulations would have Massachusetts’ fishery being open from May 21 through August 31 with a 5-fish bag limit and 15” minimum size. However, to accommodate a full weekend of recreational fishing to start the season, DMF is making slight modifications to the season dates. The fishery will instead open on Saturday May 20 and will close two days earlier on Tuesday, August 29. Due to black sea bass harvest rates being higher in May than they are in August two-days are being taken off the end of the season to provide an additional day at the start of the season. No changes are being made to the bag limit or the minimum size. The 2017 black sea bass limits are described in the table below.
2017 Massachusetts Recreational Fishing Limits for Black Sea Bass
Open Season
Bag Limit
Size Limit
May 20 – August 29
5 fish
15”
Summer Flounder
The 2016 recreational fluke harvest estimates indicate that the 2017 coast-wide recreational fluke harvest needs to be reduced to stay within the 2017 recreational harvest limit. In February 2017, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to approve an addendum that required all states north of North Carolina to increase their minimum size by 1-inch and implement a reduced bag limit. Accordingly, DMF is adjusting Massachusetts’ recreational fluke limits for 2017. The bag limit will be reduced from 5 fish to 4 fish and the minimum size will be increased from 16 inches to 17 inches. The open season of May 22 – September 23will remain unchanged. The 2017 summer flounder limits are described in the table below.
2017 Massachusetts Recreational Fishing Limits for Fluke
Open Season
Bag Limit
Size Limit
May 22 – September 23
4 fish
17”
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