Squid Dragging too close to shore
* Editors Note: This Ruling has been overturned - thanks to the community and managers for their efforts in this rare turnover"

To all MSBA members and friends,

Do you fish the Soth Cape Beach and Cotuit Highlands area in the Spring??  Do you fish Oregon Beach, Loop Beach, South Cape Beach, Popponessett, Vineyard Sound, Middleground etc etc.

There is trouble about to happen.  The foillowing announcement from the MA DMF is talking about this exact area.  In a very controversial vote that was a tie until the pro commercial chair of the MA Marine Fisheries Comission voted in favor, the inshore state waters, within three miles was opened up to commercial draggers of all sizes and there will be no trip limits on the dragging of Squid.  This is an extention of the commercial fishery we all watch on the horizon while Bluefishig and Bass fishing from both boat and shore.  The MA DMF was proposing another plan but it failed.

The motion that passed will bring larger commercial vessels inside three miles with no trip limits and both the unlimited removal of more forage (Squid) and the potetial extreme amount of bycatch will be devastating.  This will interrupt the Squid and Fish migration up towards Chatham and aound Race Point and it will possibly effect fishing all the way into Massachusetts Bay. 

We, as recreational fishers must inandate the DMF, The MA Secretary of Environmental Affairs and our local politicians until something is done to stop this and we have to act fast.  Here is what you can do right now in the next couple days:

    1...Call or E-mail DMF Director Paul Diodati at the DMF Offices in Boston (617-626-1520)( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and express your outrage at the decision of the Commission.   Let him know that the Commission decision does not represent your interests and you want this action ceased.  If Paul is not available, leave a message and ask for a call back.  Be polite as the DMF is probably on our side and needs our support.

    2...Call or E-mail the MA Secretary of Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles (617-626-1000) ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )'; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text9892 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and let the Secretary's Office know that the Mass Fisheries comission has voted to take an action that does not represent your interests, will damage Recreational Fishing in the area and will damage the overall health of the areas fisheries in a way that is just unacceptable.  Ask that the Secretary step in and stop this action.  Once again, be polite and ask for a return of your message when taken.

3...A call to your local State Senator or Representative will also work

 

Thanks for suppoprting this action & this is why you should be a member of the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association.

MSBA Gov't Affairs

 

At a March 15th business meeting the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFC) took action on several proposed rule changes affecting 1) mobile gear fishery for squid, 2) commercial tautog fishery, 3) recreational summer flounder (fluke) fishery, and 4) commercial spiny dogfish fishery. Additionally, the MFC supported the Division’s decision to disapprove a public petition to ban gillnetting from state waters.

Squid Trawl Map1) Squid trawlers granted access from May 1 - 8 in near-shore waters in the vicinity of Collier’s Ledge.  The MFC enacted an exemption to a seasonal mobile gear closure for squid trawlers providing extended access to productive fishing grounds off Barnstable. The Commission approved an eight day exemption in waters from shore out to three miles extending from Succonnesset Shoal in Mashpee to Pt. Gamon in Yarmouth (see map). At the start of the squid fishery season, this area is routinely fished by trawlers from April 23rd to April 30 until the area is normally closed on May 1 through October by a longstanding three mile closure that extends from Mashpee east to Chatham. Trawler fishermen, especially, those with smaller vessels, requested fifteen additional days of access to capitalize on early May squid aggregations that are found close to shore. The Commission did not grant the requested 15 days, but opted to grant eight days (May 1-8).