Massachusetts’ 2014 recreational fishing regulations for fluke, scup, and black sea bass have been approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Due to the late timing of this approval, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries), pending consent of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, will implement these regulations on an emergency basis.
Fluke
For 2014, the ASMFC adopted a regional approach for managing the coast’s recreational fluke fisheries with the intent of providing more equity in harvest opportunities among states. While initially grouped with Rhode Island and facing a size limit increase, MarineFisheries was able to successfully lobby for Massachusetts to be treated as its own region enabling status quo regulations for 2014.
For 2014 the following recreational limits will apply for fluke:
Private Angler
May 22 – September 30
5 fish, 16 inch minimum
For-Hire
May 22 – September 30
5 fish, 16 inch minimum
Scup
The ASMFC manages scup on a regional basis, with the states from Massachusetts through New York comprising one region. While the region’s recreational harvest target for 2014 is reduced from 2013, no tightening of the regulations is required as the 2013 harvest is below the 2014 target. Each state in the region is implementing status quo regulations, meaning the regulatory liberalizations implemented last year will be maintained.
For 2014, the following recreational limits will apply for scup:
Private Angler:
May 1 – December 31
30 fish (150 fish vessel maximum), 10 inch minimum
For-Hire Bonus:
May 1 – June 30
45 fish, 10 inch minimum
For-Hire Regular:
July 1 – December 31
30 fish, 10 inch minimum
Black Sea Bass
Recreational black sea bass fisheries will continue to be managed under a regional approach in 2014, with Massachusetts through New Jersey comprising the northernmost region. With the region’s 2013 harvest exceeding its 2014 target, rules must be revised to moderately reduce harvest in 2014.
Similar to last year, Massachusetts will have one set of regulations for private anglers and for-hire clients, while also providing an opportunity for interested for-hire vessel operators to opt into a special access program under which their clients can harvest more fish in the fall at the expense of a reduced open season for their vessel. For-hire vessel operators must decide before the start of the season whether they want to fish under the standard regulations OR the special access program regulations. For the vast majority of fishery participants, MarineFisheries has selected regulations that will account for the required harvest reduction through a 52-day shortening of the season (primarily in September and October) while at the same time allowing for a doubling of the bag limit. Because a small number of for-hire businesses rely on attracting out-of-state clients in the fall, the special access program will offer a 20-fish bag limit throughout September provided participating vessels adhere to a June through August closed season.
For 2014 the following recreational limits will apply for black sea bass:
Private Angler:
May 17 – September 15
8 fish, 14 inch minimum
For-Hire:
May 17 – September 15
8 fish, 14 inch minimum
For-Hire Special Access Program (LOA required*):
May 17 – May 31
8 fish, 14 inch minimum
September 1 – September 30
20 fish, 14 inch minimum
* To participate in the For-Hire Special Access Black Sea Bass Fishery, permit holders must apply for a Letter of Authorization (LOA) from MarineFisheries by no later than May 1, 2014. Click Mass.gov to see the conditions that will apply and to request an LOA.
