08/05/2025
2025 Commercial Striped Bass Fishery to Close
Effective August 6
DMF is projecting that 100% of Massachusetts’ 2025 commercial striped bass quota will be taken after Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Accordingly, DMF is closing the 2025 commercial striped bass fishery effective at 0001 hours on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 (Closure Notice). Unless otherwise notified, the commercial striped bass fishery will remain closed until it reopens in 2026.
During this closed period, it is unlawful for fishers to retain, possess, or land striped bass for commercial purposes or in a manner that does not comply with the state’s recreational fishing regulations for the species. The recreational striped bass fishery is subject to a 1-fish per angler daily bag limit and a slot limit of 28” to less than 31” (total length with tail squeezed). See DMF’s website for more information regarding recreational striped bass fishing rules.
Commercial fishers are to submit monthly trip-level reports by the fifteenth of the following month, even if their permit was not fished. All fish retained and landed under the commercial fishing permit are to be reported, including fish sold or kept for personal use. Failure to submit these reports for all months of the year in a timely manner may result in the non-renewal of a commercial permit and its endorsements in 2026. Electronic reporting is available through the SAFIS applications. Those fishers reporting via paper should mail reports to: DMF Statistics Project, 30 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 or email to [email protected]. Additional information can be obtained on the Trip Level Reporting website.
For seafood dealers, during the quota closure it is unlawful to purchase or receive striped bass from commercial fishers. Seafood dealers may continue to possess and sell striped bass imported into Massachusetts from dealers lawfully operating in another state. All striped bass in possession of dealers must comply with the regulations of their jurisdiction of origin and the commercial striped bass tagging requirements.
Seafood dealers are also reminded that DMF will be providing them with a written request to return all unused 2025 Striped Bass ID Tags and submit their annual Tag Accounting Report. Failure to return or account for unused tags is grounds for DMF to limit a seafood dealer’s ability to obtain striped bass tags and conduct primary purchases of striped bass in future years.
