fisher16
07-31-2006, 01:31 PM
1
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries
251 Causeway Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626.1520
Fax (617) 626.1509
July 25, 2006
MarineFisheries Advisory
STATE AND FEDERAL COD RULES IN THE GULF OF MAINE
CLARIFIED FOR PRIVATE RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN
The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) has received several inquiries about legal
fishing activity by private recreational fishermen (i.e., not the for-hire industry) for Gulf of Maine
cod when fishing in both state and federal waters during a single trip. Current Commonwealth of
Massachusetts regulations for recreational fishing of Gulf of Maine cod in waters under the
jurisdiction of the Commonwealth differ from federal emergency regulations in place since May 1,
2006 (see table below for specific size limits and other restrictions). MarineFisheries advises all
recreational fishermen aboard private vessels to abide by the most restrictive rules when fishing or
potentially fishing in both state and federal waters of the Gulf of Maine.
Table 1. Excerpt of some groundfish regulations for recreational fishing aboard private vessels in both state and federal
portions of the waters. Note that this table does not comprise a comprehensive list of all rules and regulations contained
in 322 CMR and 50 CFR Part 648.
Possession Limit for
Atlantic Cod
Minimum Size for
Atlantic Cod
Open Recreational
Season for Atlantic
Cod
State Regulations 10 cod per person per day
(322 CMR 6.03) 22” Year Round
Federal Emergency
Regulations
10 cod per person per day
(50 CFR Part 648) 24” April 1 – October 31
Paul J. Diodati
Director
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries
251 Causeway Street, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 626.1520
Fax (617) 626.1509
July 25, 2006
MarineFisheries Advisory
STATE AND FEDERAL COD RULES IN THE GULF OF MAINE
CLARIFIED FOR PRIVATE RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN
The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) has received several inquiries about legal
fishing activity by private recreational fishermen (i.e., not the for-hire industry) for Gulf of Maine
cod when fishing in both state and federal waters during a single trip. Current Commonwealth of
Massachusetts regulations for recreational fishing of Gulf of Maine cod in waters under the
jurisdiction of the Commonwealth differ from federal emergency regulations in place since May 1,
2006 (see table below for specific size limits and other restrictions). MarineFisheries advises all
recreational fishermen aboard private vessels to abide by the most restrictive rules when fishing or
potentially fishing in both state and federal waters of the Gulf of Maine.
Table 1. Excerpt of some groundfish regulations for recreational fishing aboard private vessels in both state and federal
portions of the waters. Note that this table does not comprise a comprehensive list of all rules and regulations contained
in 322 CMR and 50 CFR Part 648.
Possession Limit for
Atlantic Cod
Minimum Size for
Atlantic Cod
Open Recreational
Season for Atlantic
Cod
State Regulations 10 cod per person per day
(322 CMR 6.03) 22” Year Round
Federal Emergency
Regulations
10 cod per person per day
(50 CFR Part 648) 24” April 1 – October 31
Paul J. Diodati
Director
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