2019 Massachusetts Fishing: Black Sea Bass, Scup and Fluke
by mkmcst · April 5, 2019
On the Warer reports :The Division of Marine Fisheries has revised the 2019 recreational fishing limits for black sea bass and scup. The rules for fluke remain unchanged. Rules take effect April 13.
Black Sea Bass
Massachusetts black sea bass season will open one day earlier in May to maintain a Saturday opening date. However, the projected increase in harvested fish resulted in the closing of fishery four days earlier in September.
Scup
The northern region of Massachusetts-New York is given additional harvest opportunities in 2019 to achieve the coastwide harvest limit of 7.37 million pounds. Massachusetts selected to eliminate the closed season of January-April and increase the possession limit aboard for-hire vessels during the “bonus season” (May-June in Massachusetts) by five fish.
Fluke
Although the coastwide recreational harvest limit is being increased to 7.69 million pounds (up from 4.42 million pounds), revised catch estimates indicate the fishery is already operating at this level, so its status quo for 2019.
| Fishery | Open Season | Possession Limit* | Minimum Size |
| Black Sea Bass | May 18–September 8 | 5 fish | 15″ |
| Scup, Private Vessel & Shore | April 13–December 31 | 30 fish(150 fish/vessel maximum) | 9″ |
| Scup, For-Hire Vessels | April 13–April 30 | 30 fish | 9″ |
| May 1–June 30 | 50 fish | ||
| July 1–December 31 | 30 fish | ||
| Fluke | May 23–October 9 | 5 fish | 17″ |
* Possession limits are per person per day unless otherwise noted.
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