Commercial Fisheries Possession and Landing Limits

Marine Fisheries Program Tel: 860-434-6043 [email protected] LOBBY IS OPEN WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY 9:00AM-3:00 PM

333 Ferry Road • Old Lyme, CT 06371 www.ct.gov/deep Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer Commercial Fishery Possession and Landing Limits

Effective: September 25– September 30, 2021 Species Status Limit Comments American CLOSED Minimum size is 3 3/8” Lobster Pot Allocation required to take lobsters by pot. Lobster During the Closed Season: Sep 8 – Nov 28, both dates inclusive, possession of lobster taken from Long Island Sound (LMA 6) is prohibited. Beginning November 15, gear may be redeployed, but traps may not be baited until November 22. Lobsters may be possessed and landed beginning November 29. American CLOSED Open: April 1– June 15, except weekends. shad American Shad may be taken in the Connecticut River only. Maximum gillnet soak time = 4 hours Atlantic OPEN 12,000 lb1 1 Call-in required when in possession of more than 6,000 lb. menhaden 120,000 lb1,2 EnCon Police: 860-424-3503 2 Taken from outside of CT waters 3 The directed fishery is closed. The incidental fishery remains open with a 6,000 pound possession limit. Black Sea OPEN 500 lb1 1Black Sea Bass License Endorsement required to take sea bass – Bass 10 fish2 INCLUDING from lobster traps. 2 Possession limit for the commercial harvest of black sea bass caught in lobster traps and when in possession of lobsters, no license endorsement required. Does not apply to personal use lobster license holders. Minimum size: 11” See page 4 for quota status Bluefish OPEN 1,200 lb Minimum size: 9” See page 5 for quota status Horseshoe CLOSED 25 crabs by trawl1, 1 Horseshoe Crab License Endorsement required. 1 crab 500 crabs by hand Open: May 22 – July 7, except weekends. Jonah crab OPEN Lobster Pot: No Limit Minimum size = 4.75 inch carapace length Other Gear: 1000 crabs Scup OPEN 3,000 lb2 1 NO Scup License Endorsement letter is required to land scup during the Winter 1 and Winter 2 periods (Jan-April, Oct-Dec) 2 Scup License Endorsement required May 1 – Sep 30, EXCEPT: (A) Under a Restricted Commercial Fishing License: 60 fish limit (B) In the commercial Lobster Pot Fishery: 10 fish limit Minimum size: 9” See page 6 for quota status Spiny dogfish OPEN 6,000 lb1 ASMFC allocation to New England region: 17,144,556 lb 1By fisherman agreement first dorsal fin must remain attached to the carcass as required by ASMFC FMP Smooth OPEN 500 lb1 1By fisherman agreement first dorsal fin must remain attached to the carcass as dogfish required by ASMFC FMP. See page 8 for quota status Summer OPEN 500 lb1 1 Summer Flounder License Endorsement required. flounder 2 When required prior to departure and again before offloading call EnCon Police at 860-424-3503 24/7 and provide vessel name, captain’s name, departure date, return date, port of landing and prior to offloading, the hail weight of fluke onboard. Minimum size: 14” See page 7 for quota status Tautog* CLOSED 10 fish1 1 When fishing under a Limited Access Commercial Fishing License. 3 fish2 2 When fishing under Restricted Commercial Fishing Licenses. Open seasons are: April 1-30, July 1-Aug 31, Oct 8 - Dec 24. *Tautog tagging program mandated for 2021: 2021 APPLICATION Minimum size: 16” Winter OPEN 50 lb or 38 fish State waters closed to harvest March 1 through April 14. flounder Federally permitted vessels are permitted to land the higher federal limits of fish taken from federal waters. Minimum Size: 12” Weakfish OPEN 100 lb Minimum size: 16” 2 Principal State Quota-Managed Species – 2021 Adjustments.

Summer Flounder Scup Black Sea Bass Bluefish Minimum Size: 14” Minimum Size: 9” Minimum Size: 11” Minimum Size: 9” 2021 quota = 579,376 lb 2021 summer period quota = 2021 quota = 60,900 2021 quota = 35,049 (initial) 251,848 lb (initial) lb (initial) lb (initial) CT share=12.375% of coast- CT share=3.154% of summer CT share= 1% of CT share= 1.2663% wide annual quota. period coast-wide quota. coastwide annual of coastwide annual quota. quota.

September 26 500 lb 3,000 lb with endorsement 500 lb/ 10 fish 1,200 lb 60 fish Restricted license 10 fish lobster pot

August 8 500 lb 3,000 lb with endorsement 200 lb/ 10 fish 1,200 lb 60 fish Restricted license 10 fish lobster pot

June 25 500 lb 1,500 lb with endorsement 200 lb/ 10 fish 1,200 lb 60 fish Restricted license 10 fish lobster pot

June 7 250 lb 1,500 lb with endorsement 150 lb/ 10 fish 1,200 lb 60 fish Restricted license 10 fish lobster pot

May 30 250 lb 1,000 lb with endorsement 150 lb/ 10 fish 1,200 lb 60 fish Restricted license 10 fish lobster pot

May 1 500 lb 1,000 lb with endorsement 150 lb/ 5 fish 1,200 lb 60 fish Restricted license 10 fish lobster pot

April 25 4,000 lb aggregate 50,000 lb 60 lb/ 5 fish 1,200 lb (4/25-4/30)

March 14 4,000 lb bi-weekly 50,000 lb 60 lb/ 5 fish 1,200 lb

January 31 3,000 lb bi-weekly 50,000 lb 60 lb/ 5 fish 1,200 lb

January 1 2,400 lb bi-weekly 50,000 lb 60 lb/ 5 fish 1,200 lb

Winter 1 Period Jan 1 – Apr 30 Jan 1 – Apr 30 Jan 1 – Apr 30 Jan 1 – Apr 30 2,400 lb bi-weekly 50,000 lb (Federal Winter 1 60 lb 1,200 lb guidelines) The first bi-weekly period The limit will be Adjust limit to land begins Sunday, January 3rd No Scup License Endorsement adjusted periodically not more than 33% of and runs through Saturday, Required during Winter 1 nor to maintain a steady the annual quota by January 16th. Each subsequent Winter 2 periods. weekly landing rate Apr 30. bi-weekly period will begin with the goal of on Sunday at 0001 hours and landing not more 3 Summer Flounder Scup Black Sea Bass Bluefish Minimum Size: 14” Minimum Size: 9” Minimum Size: 11” Minimum Size: 9” 2021 quota = 579,376 lb 2021 summer period quota = 2021 quota = 60,900 2021 quota = 35,049 (initial) 251,848 lb (initial) lb (initial) lb (initial) CT share=12.375% of coast- CT share=3.154% of summer CT share= 1% of CT share= 1.2663% wide annual quota. period coast-wide quota. coastwide annual of coastwide annual quota. quota.

end the second Saturday night Dropping to 1,000 lb when than 33% of the at 2359 hours. 80% of the period quota has annual quota been harvested. through April 30th The two week periods are: A black sea bass 1/3-1/16 license endorsement 1/17-1/30 is required to land 1/31-2/13 sea bass, except that 2/14-2/27 etc. in the commercial

lobster fishery when Call-in/Call-out required in possession of Adjust limit to land not more lobsters, the than 25% of the annual quota possession limit is 5 by April 30. Once reached, fish. possession limit will drop to 50 lb. Summer Flounder License Endorsement required.

PLANNED May 1 – Oct 31 May 1 – Sep 30 May 1 – Oct 31 May 1 – Oct 31 Summer Period 250 lb all gears. 1,000 lb for Scup License 150 lb 1,200 lb all gears. Endorsement Holders, 60 fish Summer Flounder License The limit will be Adjusted periodically without Scup Endorsement and Endorsement required. adjusted periodically to prevent in-season fishing under a Restricted to maintain a steady closure. To prevent Adjusted periodically to Commercial Fishing License. weekly landing rate significant change in maintain consistent weekly Commercial lobster pot with the goal of the character of the landings rate and to prevent fisherman may, when in landing not more fishery, the in-season closure. possession of lobster, possess than 84% of the possession limit will Target landing approximately 10 Scup. Does not apply to annual quota not exceed 1,500lb. 2% of annual quota/wk. personal use lobster license through April 31st Target landing (8.33% month). holders. A black sea bass approximately 2+% Leave ~5% for Nov 1- Dec Adjusted periodically to license endorsement of the annual 31 (Winter 2). maintain consistent weekly is required to land quota/wk. landings rate, prevent in-season sea bass, except that (8.33+%/month). closure and take 100% of the in the commercial summer period quota by lobster fishery when September 30. in possession of lobsters, the possession limit is 5 fish. Does not apply to personal use lobster license holders.

PLANNED Nov 1 – Dec 31 Oct 1 – Dec 31 Nov 1 – Dec 31 Nov 1 – Dec 31 Winter 2 Period 1,200 lb per week 12,000 lb 60 lb 1,200 lb all gears. 4 Summer Flounder Scup Black Sea Bass Bluefish Minimum Size: 14” Minimum Size: 9” Minimum Size: 11” Minimum Size: 9” 2021 quota = 579,376 lb 2021 summer period quota = 2021 quota = 60,900 2021 quota = 35,049 (initial) 251,848 lb (initial) lb (initial) lb (initial) CT share=12.375% of coast- CT share=3.154% of summer CT share= 1% of CT share= 1.2663% wide annual quota. period coast-wide quota. coastwide annual of coastwide annual quota. quota.

Summer Flounder License (Federal Winter 2 guidelines). The limit will be Adjust to prevent in- Endorsement required. adjusted periodically season closure. This limit may be adjusted to maintain a steady Adjust to prevent in-season based on Winter 1 fishery weekly landing rate closure if possible. performance. with the goal of No Scup License Endorsement landing not more required during Winter 2. than 100% of the annual quota through the end of the year. A black sea bass license endorsement is required to land sea bass, except that in the commercial lobster fishery when in possession of lobsters, the possession limit is 5 fish.

11:12 Wednesday, September 22, 2021 4

2021 Weekly Black Sea Bass Landings for Quota Monitoring 100,000 Quota = 97,900 lb. Landings = 76,792 lb. 90,000 Quota Remaining = 21,108 lb. Percent Landed = 78.4% Landing Rate = 1,685 lb./wk 80,000

70,000 s g n i

d 60,000 h n s i a f

L 0

, e

50,000 b l v i 0 t 0 2 a l = L u 40,000 T m h u s i f

C 0 1

30,000 , b l

0 5 1 h = s L i

20,000 f

T 5

, h b l

s i f 0

5 5

1 ,

10,000 b = l

L 0 T 6 = L T

$5.00 e u l $3.00 a V $1.00

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 /0 /1 /3 /1 /2 /1 /2 /1 /2 /0 /2 /0 /1 /0 /1 /3 /1 /2 /1 /2 /0 /2 /0 /2 /0 /1 /0 2 6 0 3 7 3 7 0 4 8 2 5 9 3 7 1 4 8 1 5 9 3 6 0 4 8 1 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 /2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2

Week Ending 11:12 Wednesday, September 22, 2021 5

2021 Weekly Bluefish Landings for Quota Monitoring 40,000 Quota = 35,049 lb. Landings = 21,200 lb. Quota Remaining = 13,849 lb. Percent Landed = 60.5% Landing Rate = 2,201 lb./wk

30,000 s g n i d n a L

e 20,000 v i t a l u m u C

10,000 b l

0 0 2 , 1 = L T

$2.50 e u l $1.50 a V $0.50

Week Ending 11:12 Wednesday, September 22, 2021 6

2021 Weekly Scup Landings for Quota Monitoring 500,000 Quota = 451,848 lb. Landings = 425,926 lb. 450,000 Quota Remaining = 25,922 lb. Percent Landed = 94.3% Landing Rate = 28,378 lb./wk 400,000 h s i f

350,000 0 6 s / b l g

0 n 0 i 0 , d 300,000 3 n = L a T L

e 250,000 v i t a l u 200,000 m u h C s i f

150,000 0 6 / b l

0 0 h 5 , s

100,000 i 1 f

= 0 L 6 T / b l

50,000 0 0 , 1 = L T

$2.50 e u l $1.50 a V $0.50

Week Ending 11:12 Wednesday, September 22, 2021 7

2021 Weekly Summer Flounder Landings for Quota Monitoring 600,000 Quota = 579,376 lb. Landings = 527,739 lb. Quota Remaining = 51,637 lb. Percent Landed = 91.1% 500,000 Landing Rate = 14,516 lb./wk b s l 400,000 0 g 0 n b 5 l i

= 0 L d 5 T 2 n = a L b l T L 0

0 e 300,000 5 = v i L t T a l u y l k m e u e w - C 200,000 i b

b l

y 0 l k 0 e 0 , e 4 w = - i L y l b T

k b l 100,000 e

e 0 w 0 - i 0 , b

3 b = l

L 0 T 0 4 , 2 = L T $5.00 e u l $3.00 a V $1.00

Week Ending 11:12 Wednesday, September 22, 2021 8

2021 Weekly Smooth Dogfish Landings for Quota Monitoring 32,000 Quota = 29,281 lb. Landings = 25,843 lb. Quota Remaining = 3,438 lb. 28,000 Percent Landed = 88.3% Landing Rate = 1,408 lb./wk

24,000 s g n i 20,000 d n a L

e 16,000 v i t a l u

m 12,000 u C

8,000 b

4,000 l

0 0 5 = L T

$3.00

e $2.00 u l a

V $1.00

Week Ending