Bill > H877

This bill aims to conserve the Atlantic striped bass population in Massachusetts. It prohibits the commercial harvesting and sale of wild striped bass, except for existing commercial license holders who can demonstrate significant historical landings. The bill sets a commercial catch limit based on the 5-year average annual landings of these existing commercial fishermen. It also bans the issuance of new commercial striped bass licenses and prevents the transfer or sale of existing licenses. The bill requires annual catch reporting by commercial fishermen and grants the Director of Marine Fisheries the authority to limit, curtail, or suspend both recreational and commercial fishing if the fishery conditions worsen and the fishery is at risk of not sustaining itself.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H877