Code of Massachusetts Regulations
322 CMR - Division of Marine Fisheries
Title 322 CMR 8.00 - Coastal Fisheries and Conservation Management
Section 8.07 - Seasonal Cod Spawning Protections Mesh Size Restrictions

Universal Citation: 322 MA Code of Regs 322.8

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Winter Cod Conservation Zone.

(a) Boundaries. For purposes of 322 CMR 8.07 the Winter Cod Conservation Zone shall apply to the area within the waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated starting from the point furthest south and west:

Point

North Latitude

West Longitude

WCCZ1

42 degrees 21.0'

MA Coast

WCCZ2

42 degrees 21.0'

70 degrees 40.0'

WCCZ3

42 degrees 23.6'

70 degrees 39.2'

WCCZ4

42 degrees 27.5'

70 degrees 42.4'

WCCZ5

42 degrees 27.5'

MA Coast

The following map depicts the Cod Conservation Zone and its coordinates.

Winter Cod Conservation Zone

Click to view image

(b) Season. The restricted season shall be November 15th through January 31st.

(c) Fishing Prohibitions.
1. It is unlawful for any person to take, possess or land cod from the Winter Cod Conservation Zone during the restricted season.

2. It is unlawful for any person to fish, set, or abandon any gear capable of harvesting cod in the Winter Cod Conservation Zone during the restricted season. 322 CMR 8.07(1) shall apply to all gillnets, otter trawls, mid-water trawls, seines, and all hook-and-line gears including longlines, rod-and-reel, and handlines.

(d) Exemptions.
1. It shall be lawful for persons to transit the Winter Cod Conservation Zone in the possession of cod, provided the cod was caught outside of the Winter Cod Conservation Zone and all fishing gear is stowed.

2. Lawfully permitted persons may set and tend lobster traps and set and haul dredges for scallops and urchins in the Winter Cod Conservation Zone during the restricted season.

(2) Spring Cod Conservation Zone.

(a) Boundaries. For purposes of 322 CMR 8.07 the Spring Cod Conservation Zone shall apply to an area within the waters under the jurisdiction of the commonwealth bounded by straight lines connecting the following points in the order stated starting from the point furthest south and west:

Point

North Latitude

West Longitude

SCCZ1

42 degrees 30.0'

70 degrees 44.5'

SCCZ2

42 degrees 30.0'

70 degrees 38.5'

SCCZ3

42 degrees 33.0'

70 degrees 38.5'

SSCZ4

42 degrees 33.0'

70 degrees 44.5'

The following map depicts the Cod Conservation Zone and its coordinates.

Spring Cod Conservation Zone

Click to view image

(b) The restricted season shall be April 16th through July 21st.

(c) Fishing Prohibitions.
1. It is unlawful for any person to possess on board or land cod in the Spring Cod Conservation Zone.

2. It is unlawful for any person to fish, set, or abandon gillnets, beam trawls, otter trawls or longlines in the Spring Cod Conservation Zone during the restricted season.

(d) Exemptions. It shall be lawful for persons to transit the Spring Cod Conservation Zone in the possession of cod, provided the cod was caught outside of the Spring Cod Conservation Zone and all fishing gear is stowed.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Massachusetts may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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