NOAA Fisheries has announced that current Gulf of Maine (GOM) cod and haddock recreational measures will remain in place for the remainder of fishing year 2021.
The recreational fishery for GOM cod and haddock is managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (Plan). The Plan includes a proactive recreational accountability measure, which allows the Regional Administrator, in consultation with the New England Fishery Management Council, to develop recreational management measures for the fishing year to ensure that the recreational quotas are achieved, but not exceeded. We project that current measures for GOM cod and haddock should help achieve but not exceed the recreational fishery’s quotas. The regulations include a 2-week season for GOM cod for private recreational anglers, and a 4-week season for GOM cod for anglers on for-hire vessels.
After consultation with the Council, Gulf of Maine cod and haddock management measures set in 2020 will remain in place for 2021. The 2021 measures are shown in the table below:
|
|
Haddock |
Cod |
|||||
|
Possession Limit |
Minimum Size (inches) |
Open Season |
Possession Limit |
Minimum Size (inches) |
Open Season (Private) |
Open Season (For-Hire) |
|
|
Measures |
15 |
17 |
May - February 28, April 1 - 30 |
1 |
21 |
September 15 - 30, April 1 - 14 |
September 8 - October 7, April 1 - 14 |
