The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is enacting new recreational regulations for fluke (summer flounder), black sea bass, scup, and tautog for the 2018 fishing season. According to a DMF press release, “The new regulations are being implemented by emergency action; a public hearing will be held in June prior to implementing final regulations.”
Although the wording sounds ominous, most regulations for these fish are being moderately relaxed.
Fluke: DMF is allowing an increase in recreational fluke take, with projected harvest expected to increase 17 percent relative to 2017. The 2018 rules increase the possession limit from four to five fish, and add will 15 days to the open season, making the season May 23 to Oct. 9. Minimum take size is 17 inches.
Black sea bass: DMF is also liberalizing the recreational black sea bass regulations to increase projected harvest by 4.8 percent over 2017. The 2018 rules add four days to the open season, which will be May 19 to Sept. 1. Minimum size is 15 inches. Possession limit is five fish per person per day. DMF has submitted an appeal to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission seeking to further increase black sea bass limits. If the appeal is successful, changes will be announced in early May.
Scup: Recreational scup regulations are also allowing for more fish to be taken, reducing the minimum size from 10 inches to nine inches. The season is from May 1 to Dec. 31, with daily possession limit of 30 fish, with a 45-fish allowance on for-hire vessels from May 1 to June 30.
Tautog: DMF is amending the Massachusetts recreational tautog regulations to better align with Rhode Island regulations. The 2018 rules establish variable bag limits on a seasonal basis — previously three fish year-round — and place a cap on vessel-based harvest by private anglers.
Keeper size is a minimum of 16 inches. There is a three-fish possession limit in April and May, one fish for June and July, three fish from August 1 to Oct. 14, and a five-fish limit until the end of the year. There is a 10-fish limit on private and rental vessels year-round.
For more regulation information, contact DMF at 617-626-1520, or mass.gov/marinefisheries.
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