NOAA Fisheries has established recreational fishing measures for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock and Georges Bank cod for the 2023 fishing year. All measures are effective August 14, 2023 through April 30, 2024. These measures will remain in place beyond April 30, 2024, unless or until they are replaced by new measures for the 2024 fishing year beginning May 1, 2024.
Gulf of Maine Cod and Haddock Recreational Management Measures for the 2023 Fishing Year
|
Gulf of Maine |
For Hire Possession Limit |
Private Angler Possession Limit |
For Hire Minimum Size |
Private Angler Minimum Size |
Open Season |
|
Cod |
1 |
22 (55.9) |
September 1 - October 31 |
||
|
Haddock |
15 |
10 |
18 (45.7) |
17 (43.2) |
May 1 - February 28, April 1 - 30 |
Recreational fishing for, possessing, and retaining Gulf of Maine cod and haddock is prohibited except during the open seasons listed as “Open Season” in the table.
Georges Bank
Georges Bank Recreational Management Measures for the 2023 Fishing Year (In effect through April 30, 2024)
|
Georges Bank |
Possession Limit |
Minimum Size |
Maximum Size |
Open Season |
|
Cod |
5 |
23 (58.4) |
None |
May 1 - 31, September 1 - April 30 |
Note that, effective on August 14, 2023, recreational fishing for, possessing, or retaining Georges Bank cod is prohibited until September 1, 2023, and during the Open Season listed above.
More Information
The recreational fisheries for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock and Georges Bank cod are managed under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. NOAA Fisheries, in consultation with the New England Fishery Management Council, developed recreational measures to ensure that the recreational catch limit for Gulf of Maine cod and haddock are achieved, but not exceeded, and to ensure that recreational catch of Georges Bank cod remains within its target catch level.
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
