August 21, 2015
MarineFisheries Advisory
2015 Commercial Striped Bass Fishery Closed
Effective August 21, 2015
The Commonwealth’s 2015 commercial striped bass quota of 869,813 pounds is projected to have been taken on Thursday, August 20, 2015. Accordingly, Massachusetts 2015 commercial striped bass fishery is closed effective 0001 hours on Friday, August 21, 2015 (Closure Notice). Until the 2016 commercial striped bass fishery opens, fishermen are prohibited from possessing more than one striped bass that measures at least 28 inches in total length per person or selling or attempting to sell any striped bass in the Commonwealth.
Commercial fishermen are reminded that even if their permit was not fished, their August 2015 trip-level report is due no later than September 15, 2015. Failure to submit these reports for all months of year may result in the non-renewal of a commercial permit and its regulated fishery permit endorsements in 2016. All trip-level reports should be sent to DMF Statistics Project, 30 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930. Blank forms and instructions were mailed out prior to the beginning of the 2015 commercial fishing season; additional copies can be obtained on the Division of Marine Fisheries website.
Similarly, effective 0001 hours on August 21, 2015, seafood dealers in Massachusetts are prohibited from purchasing or receiving striped bass from any fisherman until the 2016 commercial striped bass fishing season opens. During this closed period, dealers may possess and sell striped bass that are imported into the Commonwealth, provided these fish were lawfully caught in another state and bear a tag with the state of origin. If the fish are re-sold whole, the tag must remain affixed to the fish. If the fish are processed after importation, all containers of fillets shall describe the state of origin, Massachusetts processor, quantity of fillets, and species; original tags are to be retained at the dealer’s facility for 30 days after processing. Through August 25, 2015, all striped bass in the possession of a Massachusetts dealer—regardless of state of origin—must be 34 inches in total length or larger. Beginning on August 26, 2015, dealers may import sub-legal sized product provided it conforms to the minimum size of the state of origin.
Dealers are also reminded that the Division of Marine Fisheries will be providing them with a written request to return all unused 2015 Striped Bass ID Tags and submit a Tag Accounting Report. If a dealer cannot account for an unused tag, s/he must provide this information in the Tag Accounting Report. Failure to return or account for unused tags may result in the dealer being unable to participate as a primary buyer of striped bass in future years.
For more information regarding the management of striped bass, review Massachusetts’ striped bass regulations. For more information about the management of marine fisheries in Massachusetts, please visit our website: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.
As an advertiser in On the Water Magazine, (owner, Absecon Bay Sportsman Center) I realize this is just a report on what is news, but “What Is News” is a slap in the face to all the recreational fishermen who are fighting to protect and conserve the Striped Bass. What I would really like to see is an expose on the Mass. Pinhook Fishery, as I am 100% sure that the majority involved in this fishery are not Lifetime Commercial Fishermen that depend on killing fish for a living, but “Recreational Fishermen” who got ahold of a license and are just putting some extra bucks in their pocket at the expense of the resource. In NJ anyone killing a big striper, even their fish of a lifetime, is soundly be-rated( something I do not agree with) but in Mass. These mass murderers are treated next to gods.
I hope the state has the means to determine how many pounds of striped bass are purchased wholesale and retail. They can then do a statistical analysis of how many pounds total were used after the closure and from where. Unfortunately there are those fisherman that will use any means possible to poach and sell stripers and there is no limit to the establishments that look the other way when they purchase poached fish. Each state should then compare their statistics and see how well the quotas are being adhered to.
I couldn’t agree more Bill!
25 bass 3 times a week all summer. No kidding they reached the quota?
Chris may be you should educate yourself on the commercial bass regulations it 15 striped bass per day on Mondays and Thursdays.
@JP – What’s the difference? Still way too many.