Marine Fisheries Advisory April 27, 2004CHANGES TO RECREATIONAL SCUP MEASURES TO ACHIEVE ASMFC MANDATED 40% REDUCTION IN LANDINGS
At its March meeting, the ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board mandated that Massachusetts reduce its recreational scup landings by 40% relative to 2003. Other states are required to reduce landings by variable amounts due to overages in the 2003 fishery. Due to the Board’s delayed decision, MarineFisheries is enacting the following changes through emergency action to recreational scup minimum size and possession limits to comply with the 40% cut in landings effective Tuesday, April 27, 2004:
For all recreational fishermen:
Recreational scup minimum size is increased from 9 to 10-inches. Open season remains January 1 through October 6.
For recreational fishermen fishing aboard a private vessel or from shore:
· Possession limit is reduced from 50 to 40 fish during the open season.
· Private vessels with two or more people aboard are prohibited from possessing more than 80 fish.
For recreational fishermen fishing aboard a for-hire vessel:
Possession limit of 100 fish is retained through June 30. Possession limit is reduced from 100 fish to 40 fish from July 1 through October 6.
For further information please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries or
call David Pierce at 617.626.1532.
