Nasty Snag

I've been reading about a boat running to "open" waters and getting in on some good fishing while state waters are closed for cod. My question is, how does that boat legally traverse "state" waters while heading back to the dock with a load of cod?

How does enforcement know where these fish are caught? Is there some sort of understanding between the for hire fleet and Fish and Game?

Thanks,

Bob & Mag

I don't think it would matter as "possession" would come into play and be a violation as soon as you re-entered state water. May vary state to state. I'd check with your local DEP.

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Nasty Snag

So is fishing for cod "open", "closed" or "depends where you are" in Mass right now?

Captain Curt

this link will clear up some of the ???PDF]
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
not fish for or possess cod or any other regulated groundfish species in the Cape Cod Bay and. Massachusetts Bay Closure from Plymouth North to Marblehead, ...
www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/marinefisheriesnotices/clarification_of_cod_closures_110806.pdf



www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/marinefisheriesnotices/clarification_of_cod_closures

I still don't have all the answers

the guys fishing south of the 42 line are fishing south of the closure . this area is down the backside of Cape Cod outside of the bay. Where they can keep codfish 22" or greater with no bag limit.

hope this helps out.

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Nasty Snag

Thanks,

mcleaves

I love this topic and have been asking for years what the rules are. I finally got tired and called NOAA to get the scoop. Because even if you are fishing outside the closure you have to pass into the three mile line where the state bag limit is 2pp and no more than 75lbs for the boat in the off season. So you can fish all day and catch 22" fish south of 42 outside 3 miles and have a pile of fish.

The guys at NOAA in Gloucester were very clear. You can possess the fish even out on Stellwagen where there is a complete closure as long as your gear is secured (rods down and no hooks on them). That was from a nice 30 minute discussion with the folks who write the rules.

codfishshark

I am surprised you only had to talk to them for 30 minutes usually it takes a few hours of phone calls with them to figure it all out.

mcleaves

LOL. It was headed that way. He was trying to give me all the coordinates which are a lot more specific than the "South of 42" rule that people talk about. From what he described from P-town the line ran NE, not E. I cut him off since I figured I could find the lines myself.. He was pretty quick at explaining how to transport fish legally across boundaries.

M

blackhullcharters

So how is Walsh's American Classic getting back in Lynn harbor legally ???

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mcleaves

My post earlier post. #6