Legal Size of Cod

(2) After determining the appropriate minimum sizes, the NEFMC shall propose the minimum sizes of fish to be implemented in accordance with the procedures set out in section 648.90. Spearfishing is the capture of fish with a harpoon. When fishing with spear, you must comply with all recreational fishing regulations regarding size, seasons, and pocket restrictions for the species. You should not catch striped perch or lobster by spearfishing. For federally regulated species, please visit NOAA Fisheries. Popular species of spearfishing in Massachusetts waters include tautog and black bass. (3) Additional adjustments or modifications to the minimum fish sizes referred to in paragraph (a) of this Division and exemptions under paragraph (b) of this Division may be made at any time after the application of the final regulations under section 648.90. 1. The CNFNG shall at all times consider the best available information on mesh selectivity in order to determine the appropriate minimum size for the species listed in point (a) of this Section, with the exception of winter plaice, based on the length of time 25 % of the regulated species would be maintained at the applicable minimum mesh size. Note: Threading at sea is allowed.

The nets must have a certain skin and be of constant size compared to those of legally sized fish. 1. Any person on board a vessel to which a non-ferrous multi-species access permit has been granted and may possess up to 11.3 kg (25 lb) of nets measuring less than the minimum size provided for under the NE Multispecies DAS program or on a sectoral voyage if these nets are derived from legally sized fish and are not offered for sale or planned. Trade or barter. The weight of fish fillets and parts, excluding eviscerated or gill-shaped fish, is multiplied by 3. For the purpose of accounting for all catches made by vessels in the sector in accordance with Article 648.87(b)(1)(v), the weight of all fillets and parts of fish, except eviscerated fish or gills, declared for captive use shall be multiplied by a factor of 3. 3. Vessels fishing exclusively with casan fishing gear may have non-ferrous multi-species frames used or intended to be used as bait below the minimum size of fish, provided that a receipt for the purchase of such frames is available on board the vessel. (4) A vessel holding a Class A or B herring licence may possess and land haddock and other regulated species smaller than the minimum size specified in section 648.83 in accordance with the by-catch limits referred to in subparagraphs 648.86(a)(3) and (k).

These fish cannot be sold for human consumption. The MMF has also created its annual recreational fishing posters for private fishers and rental vessels, detailing seasons, harvest restrictions and size limits for popular recreational species. These posters are dated August 30, 2022. (1) The minimum size of fish on pleasure craft and charter vessels or vessels that do not fish under a non-ferrous multi-species DAS is specified in section 648.89. Except as provided for in § 648.17, all other vessels are subject to the following minimum fish sizes, which are determined by total length (TL): Note: Whole fish (17 inches) or tails (11 inches) may be landed. Fish or parts of fish, with the exception of cheeks and liver, must have skin during possession on board a vessel and at the time of landing in order to meet the minimum size requirements. “Skin on” means any part of the skin that is normally attached to the fish part or parts of the fish. Burbot tails are measured from the anterior part of the fourth spine of the head to the tip of the caudal fin. Any tissue in front of the fourth dorsal column is ignored. If the fourth spine or tail is not intact, the minimum size between the anterior vertebra and the posterior part of the tail is measured.

Minimum size: Lobster size restrictions vary by region. See our lobster fact sheet for instructions on how to measure a lobster. 5) Striped bass is measured from the tip of the snout or jaw (closed mouth) to the tip of the tail. Throwing away a dead striped perch of legal size is illegal. The practice of high grading, in which legal-sized striped perch is released in favor of larger fish caught after the fact, is illegal. As a result, it is also illegal to keep a striped bass alive in water by attaching a line or chain to the fish (silt), placing it in a live well or car. Striped bass should be kept whole, which means that the head, tail and body remain intact. Only evisceration is allowed. Licensed rental vessels are permitted to thread the striped pole for their customers. All recreational anglers must use circular hooks in a row when fishing for striped perch with whole or cut natural bait, except when fishing with natural bait attached to artificial bait (e.g., reed and worm). The use of non-lethal devices to remove the striped pole from the water is required; Striped bass gaffe is prohibited. For Massachusetts marine waters, the minimum fish size (exceptions listed below) is the largest straight line (not curved on the body) from the front end of the jaw or snout (closed mouth) to the tip of the tail.

The fish should be grasped firmly with both hands for correct measurement. Care should be taken to ensure that the head firmly touches the zero mark on the rulers and bands simultaneously with the tail limb. In fork-tailed fish, the upper and lower forks can be clamped together to measure the limb of the tail. Seasons, sizes, property boundaries and more for recreational anglers. 2. Recreational vessels, pleasure craft and chartered vessels may possess nets smaller than the minimum size indicated, provided that the nets are derived from legally sized fish and are not offered or intended for sale, trade or exchange. 2. The minimum size of fish shall apply to whole fish or parts of fish on board a vessel, except in the cases referred to in point (b) of this Section, and only to whole, eviscerated or pebble fish after landing. For the purpose of determining compliance with the property limits set out in section 648.86, the weight of fillets and parts of fish, excluding eviscerated or stony fish, shall be multiplied by 3. Fish fillets or parts must have skins during possession on board a vessel and at the time of landing in order to meet the minimum size requirements. “Skin on” means that all the part of the skin that is normally attached to the fish part or parts of fish is always attached. Note: To harvest Atlantic herring as bait with equipment other than hook and line, you need a federal permit.

Recreational saltwater fishing in New Hampshire offers a variety of opportunities. Saltwater fishermen can cast a line from boats, bridges, piers or the beach. Many species of saltwater fish are available along the coast and in our rivers and bays. Recreational saltwater fishing in New Hampshire requires a saltwater recreational license. For more information, see Recreational licensing. Note: Check state regulations. There are a number of areas that are closed to fishing for surf clams and sea clams. 3) Federal regulations apply beyond state waters. See NOAA Fisheries for regulations. Non-staggered and corrodable circular hooks required for bait fishing.

Note: Commercial licensed charter or party vessels holding fish for sale or bait have a total weight of 1,135 pounds or a wing limit of 500 pounds for light-nosed rays, small rosette rays and winter rays. Sharks – Bluefin tuna, porbeagle shark, mako and thresher tuna, beaked fish and swordfish are managed by NOAA`s Office of Highly Migratory Species. Please contact NOAA Fisheries for licensing requirements and regulations. It is illegal to possess or land lobster eggs whose eggs have been forcibly removed or that have come into contact with a substance capable of removing eggs. Sharks are measured in fork length, which is the straight line of a fish from the center of the front edge of the fish to the fork of the caudal fin and is not made along the curve of the body.