The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has implemented two new striped bass
conservation regulations aimed at reducing release mortality:

Effective immediately, it is unlawful for any fisherman to gaff or attempt to gaff striped bass
measuring less than 28 inches total length, and for a commercial fisherman fishing on an
open commercial striped bass fishing day to gaff striped bass measuring less than 34 inches
total length.

Effective next year (2020), recreational anglers not fishing aboard for-hire vessels will be
required to use inline circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with whole or cut natural
baits. This will include fishing with whole or cut natural baits while in possession of striped
bass as well. This circle hook mandate will not apply to natural baits attached to an artificial
lure to be trolled, jigged, or casted and retrieved (e.g., tube and worm). Nor will the mandate
apply to any natural bait affixed to a treble hook and fished using the snag and drop
technique. A hook is considered to be an in-line circle hook only if it is manufactured so the
barb of the hook is in-line with the shank and bend of the hook and is turned perpendicularly
back to the shank to form a circular or oval shape (see image below).
The most recent striped bass stock assessment found the species was over fished with over fishing
occurring. In addition, it demonstrated that release mortality from the recreational fishery is the
single largest source of fishing mortality (48%). Accordingly, these actions have been taken to
reduce release mortality in our fisheries. The prohibition on gaffing undersized striped bass (as
opposed to all striped bass) takes into consideration safety concerns associated with expediently
removing large striped bass from the water. In-line circle hooks are proven to substantially reduce
striped bass release mortality compared to other hooks (e.g., j-hooks or offset circle hooks) by
being far more likely to hook the fish in the lip or the mouth and not the gut or the gills. The circle
hook mandate is targeted at private recreational anglers because this segment of the fishery is
primarily hook-and-release and accounts for the vast majority of recreational striped bass catch in
Massachusetts. We expect the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will also take action
this year to implement coas twide conservation measures for 2020 aimed at reducing overall
fishing mortality.

Author: mkmcst

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