2012 Regulations for Recreational Gulf of Maine Cod


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The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) has taken action to compliment federal regulations for recreational Gulf of Maine cod. During the May 1, 2012 to October 31, 2012 private and for-hire recreational anglers fishing for cod in the Gulf of Maine management area or landing cod in Massachusetts taken from the Gulf of Maine management area may lawfully retain 9-fish per angler at a minimum size of 19 inches. This federal action was taken to reduce the overfishing of Gulf of Maine cod by constraining the catch and decreasing discard mortality associated with the recreational fishery.

Unless otherwise notified by MarineFisheries, the recreational regulations for cod caught in the Gulf of Maine Management Area during the November 1, 2012 through April 15, 2012 period will remain status quo.

Recreational Regulations for Gulf of Maine Cod (322 CMR 6.03)

Season
Mode
Minimum Size
Bag Limit

April 16 – October 31
All
19 inches
9 fish per angler per day

November 1 – April 15
For-Hire
CLOSED


CLOSED

Private
24 inches
2 fish per angler per day not to exceed 75 lbs per vessel




For more information regarding the management of Gulf of Maine cod in Massachusetts please visit www.mass.gov/marinefisheries. For information pertaining to the federal management of this stock please visit http://www.nero.noaa.gov/ and http://www.nefmc.org/.

If you have any questions pertaining to this emergency regulations, contact Jared Silva by phone (617-626-1534) or e-mail (jared.silva@state.ma.us).