Bill > H258

This bill proposes to amend Chapter 130, Section 100A of existing law by adding a new section, 100B, which outlines conservation and management measures for the commercial fishing of Atlantic Striped Bass. These measures, including the length of the commercial fishing season, the number of commercial fishing permits, and the total allowable catch (either by individual fish count or by weight), must consider several factors: preventing overfishing, rebuilding depleted fish populations, the economic impact on recreational fishing, the overall economic benefit to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the tax revenue generated by recreational fishing through sales, meals, hotel stays, fuel purchases, and income taxes. The Director of Marine Fisheries and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Board are required to take into account the economic significance of recreational striped bass fishing and how proposed management rules might affect the state's tax revenues. Any approved rules and regulations must include a fiscal note detailing these potential impacts, which will then be sent to various legislative committees, including those focused on Ways and Means, Revenue, Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.