Spiny Dogfish Fishery in New Hampshire to Close Thursday, September 1, 2011
OutdoorHub 08.25.11
DURHAM, N.H. — Commercial harvesters are advised that the allowable Northern Region spiny dogfish quota for the 2011/2012 fishing season (through April 30, 2012) is projected to be reached by Wednesday, August 31, 2011. Therefore, in accordance with Fis 603.19, the state fishery for spiny dogfish will be closed effective at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, September 1, 2011. After that time, no person or vessel shall take, land, or possess spiny dogfish in New Hampshire waters until further notice. The spiny dogfish fishery will reopen no earlier than 12:01 a.m. on May 1, 2012, when the 2012/2013 fishing season begins and the Northern Region quota for the new fishing year will become available.
The other Northern Region states — Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut — will also be closing their commercial spiny dogfish fisheries on September 1, 2011, in accordance with Addendum II to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Dogfish. These measures are intended to avoid the over-harvest of spiny dogfish and to provide protection for the inshore component of spiny dogfish stocks, in accordance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Dogfish.
During any closure of the spiny dogfish fishery, dogfish may be taken only by angling, for personal use only, and may not be sold.
Questions about the dogfish closure may be directed to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s Marine Fisheries Division at 603-868-1095.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. Visit www.wildnh.com/marine.
