Massachusetts’ 2014 commercial striped bass season regulations were announced yesterday, revealing sweeping changes from the 2013 commercial striper season. In 2014, commercial striped bass fishermen will only be able to fish on Mondays and Thursdays with a 15-fish limit for boat operators and a 2-fish limit for individual rod & reel license holders. These regulations are also accompanied by a brand new striped bass tagging program for primary buyers, ensuring that all commercially caught stripers are accounted for until after their sale at retail seafood businesses and restaurants.

The tagging program meets a requirement set by Addendum III to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Management Plan, which was initiated in response to an investigation of striped bass poaching operations within Chesapeake Bay. The extended season was proposed to help reduce market gluts and improve ex-vessel prices paid for striped bass, make wild-caught stripers available for a longer period of time during summer, and lessen the impacts of intensive fishing on aggregated striped bass off Chatham. Restricting individual rod-and-reel license holders to two fish is part of the state’s effort to limit participation in the fishery to “real” commercial fishermen, which was suggested in comments at public hearings.

Individuals who received a Striped Bass Endorsement after September 8, 2013 could also be restricted from participating in the 2014 MA striper season or may be subject to different eligibility criteria than those who held an endorsement prior to this date. The application & renewal date for the 2014 commercial striped bass season is March 15, 2014.

For more information, take a look at the chart below of 2013 vs. 2014 commercial striper season regulations, and view the entire Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Press Release here.