The Massachusetts 2016 commercial striped bass season ended on Friday, August 19, when the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) estimated that the state’s commercial striped bass quota of 869,813 pounds would be reached.
Until the 2017 commercial striped bass fishery opens, Island residents and visitors who would like to enjoy locally caught striped bass will need to go out with a fishing rod and catch their own dinner.
Fishermen are prohibited from possessing more than one striped bass that measures at least 28 inches in total length per person, or selling or attempting to sell any striped bass in the commonwealth, DMF said.
Seafood dealers in Massachusetts are prohibited from purchasing or receiving striped bass with the exception of striped bass that are “imported into the commonwealth, provided these fish were lawfully caught in another state and bear a tag with the state of origin.”