April 10, 2015 — The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) announced Friday it had reduced the daily bag limit for recreational fishermen from two fish at 28 inches to one fish at 28 inches.
The Massachusetts commercial quota has also been reduced by 25 percent. The 2014 Massachusetts commercial striped bass fishing quota was 1,155,100 pounds. The season closed following a reported harvest of 1,128,337 pounds.
The reduction was not unexpected. Martha’s Vineyard fishermen have expressed concerns for several years over a steady decline in the abundance and size of one of New England’s most sought-after gamefish. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a 15-member body responsible for managing fish species and implementing management plans along the East Coast, in October announced its approval of Addendum IV to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass.
The changes required a 25 percent reduction in the Massachusetts commercial quota and a reduction in the recreational bag limit from two fish per day at 28 inches to one fish at 28 inches, or a similar plan that would result in a 25 percent reduction in the recreational harvest.