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DMF Prohibits Trap Fishing for Blue Crabs
The Division of Marine Fisheries has filed new regulations to prohibit fishing with trap gear for blue crabs and the retention of blue crabs by trap gear. Blue crabs are commonly found in the state’s southern estuarine habitats, which are often shared with diamondback terrapins. Diamondback terrapins are listed as a threatened under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. Given the overlap of these species’ habitat, traps fished for blue crabs https://www.mass.gov/service-details/recreational-saltwater-fishing-regulations may incidentally catch and drown these protected turtles. To prevent this from occurring, the use of trap gear in the blue crab fishery is now prohibited.
Fishermen may continue to fish for blue crabs using actively tended fishing gear such as dip nets, collapsible traps, and trot lines. A state issued recreational lobster and crabbing permit is not required to take blue crabs with these active fishing methods. The blue crab possession limit is 25-crabs per person per calendar day. The minimum shell size is 5-inches and this is measured laterally across the shell from tip-to-tip across the posterior-most, longest spines.
For more information please visit our website: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.
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