new groundfish regs

[BasicPatrick]

IMPORTANT MSBA GOV'T AFFAIRS UDATE ON COD & HADDOCK: Monday the National Marine Fishery Service announced the recreational groundfish regulations for the new fishing year which begins next week on May 1 2014. Poor stock asessments made the recreational share of the quota low and adding to the situation is that the MRIP data shows the recreational catch was way over our 30% share of both Gulf of Maine Cod & Gulf of Maine Haddock. Although recreational leaders are questioning the data, the regulations have now been announced.

I have tried to put this as simple as possible...BEGINNING MAY 1 2014

GULF OF MAINE COD
21 inch minimum size
9 Cod per person bag limit
Season Opens May 1 2014 through August 30 2014
Season Closed Sept 1 2014 through April 14 2-15

GULF OF MAINE HADDOCK
21 inch minimum size
3 Haddock per person bag limit
Season Opens May 1 2014 through August 30 21024
Seaon Closed September 1 2014 through November 30 2014
Season Opens December 1 2014 through February 28 2015