NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING: Chapter 34 Rec Measures for Cod, Haddock, and Halibut Clean-Up

The Maine Department of Marine Resources has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for: Chapter 34 Recreational Measures for Cod, Haddock and Halibut Clean-up

This action seeks to incorporate emergency regulations adopted on August 18 to set groundfish recreational measures into regular rulemaking. It also proposes to clean-up regulatory language which references the previously used halibut endorsement with language regarding the new commercial halibut license.

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Concise Summary: On August 18, 2023, DMR adopted an emergency rule to align state recreational fishing regulations for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock with those adopted by NOAA Fisheries in federal waters. DMR is proposing to adopt the emergency rule as part of its regular rules. Consistent with the existing emergency rule, this proposal would maintain the existing size and bag limit for cod but modify the season so that cod can be possessed from September 1 through October 31. For haddock, the rulemaking maintains a closure in the month of March while establishing separate bag and size limits for the party/charter and private recreational fishing sectors. For party and charter boats, the rule reduces the bag limit from 20 fish to 15 fish per day and increases the minimum size limit from 17-inches to 18-inches. For private anglers, the rule reduces the bag limit from 20 fish to 10 fish per day but maintains the existing minimum size limit of 17-inches. This proposed action would also replace reference to the previously used halibut endorsement on the commercial fishing license with language regarding the new commercial halibut license.

For questions regarding groundfish measures, please contact Megan Ware at [email protected] or 207.446.0932.

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