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2026 NEws
Help shape our fishing regulations
The following is being distributed on behalf of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
MAFMC and ASMFC Seek Participants for Recreational Sector Separation Workshop:
July 3 Deadline to Apply
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are seeking participants for a stakeholder workshop on recreational sector separation options for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries.
The workshop (to be held September 23-24) will support development of a joint amendment considering potential changes to the recreational management programs for these species, including options for managing for-hire fisheries separately from other recreational fishing modes, as well as possible changes to permit and reporting requirements for the for-hire sector.
The Council and Commission are seeking approximately 20 highly engaged recreational fishery stakeholders with experience in the for-hire or private recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass and bluefish and an interest in identifying meaningful approaches for improving management across all recreational sectors. Participants must be available to attend in person. The Council will cover travel/lodging costs for selected participants.
Learn more about the Recreational Sector Separation Workshop, or complete the workshop application at the button below. Deadline to apply is July 3, 2026.
FFA STRIPER TOURNAMENT BEGINS TUESDAY MAY 19
THE FFA STRIPER TOURNAMENT STARTS THIS TUESDAY, May 19! LETS GET FISHING!!!!
You have several months to win this trophy or the 2nd prize to be awarded at the November meeting!
This event is for EVERYONE and is included with your paid membership.
The BASICS:
1. RULES and SUBMISSION FORMS ATTACHED (and on FFA website)
2. The event will run from 5/19/26 – 10/24/26
3. Being able to submit multiple fish will help level the playing field for those who do not fish as frequently as others.
4. Participate as often as you'd like.
5. Submission forms and RULES may be found here on the FFA website.
6. Fish from boat or shore. Both categories will be awarded.
Go to document download area of the site for rules and submission form
THANK YOU KEITH! NOW MORE TIME TO FISH
Keith Roberts has stepped down as Club President and Skip Bandini is now the club president. Shown in the picture is Keith accepting a beautiful rod and reel as a small token of appreciation for the MANY hours he has spent growing the club. Many thanks to Keith for all he has done for the club. We look forward to the next chapter with Skip.
How to help those affected by the loss of F/V Lily Jean
Following is a press release from New England Fishery Management Council
New England Fishery Management Council COUNCIL REMEMBRANCE
February 6, 2026 Mourning the Loss of F/V Lily Jean
The New England Fishery Management Council extends our sincere condolences to the families, loved ones, and fishing communities affected by the tragic sinking of the F/V Lily Jean on Friday, January 30, 2026. This loss is deeply felt across New England and serves as a solemn reminder of the risks fishermen face every time they leave port. New England’s deep pride in serving as home to the oldest fishing port in the nation, Gloucester, Massachusetts, comes with tremendous sadness for the loss of those onboard, their families and friends, and the entire fishing community.
We deeply mourn the lives of those lost:
• Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfillipo
• Paul Beal Sr.
• Paul Beal Jr.
• John Rousanidis
• Freeman Short
• Sean Therrien
• Jada Samitt
SUPPORT
The Council has been informed that the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund has established a donation site through Cape Ann Savings Bank to collect donations that will be distributed equally to the family members of those onboard the F/V Lily Jean. For more information, please see: https://fvlilyjeanfund.org/ New England Fishery Management Council / 50 Water Street, Mill 2 / Newburyport, MA 01950 Phone: (978) 465-0492 / www.nefmc.org
Seasonal Fishery Jobs
Recreational Fishery Surveyor
Hello, The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries is currently hiring Recreational Fisheries Surveyors for the 2026 season. We are seeking seven (7) surveyors for the South Shore, Cape Cod and Islands, and three (3) for the North Shore.Please share the attached job announcements at the Falmouth Fishermans Association. Links to the postings in MassCareers are provided below:
South Shore and Cape Cod MRIP Recreational Fisheries Technician (260000CP)Job Description – NorthShore MRIP Recreational Fisheries Technician
These seasonal positions run from April through November, with training scheduled for the last week of March. While we will review applications on a rolling basis until the roles are filled, first consideration will be given to candidates who apply within the first 14 days of the posting.Thank you for your assistance in reaching qualified candidates. I can be reached at dave.martins@mass.gov with any questions.Best regards,
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Dave Martins
Recreational Fisheries Survey Coordinator
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF)
836 South Rodney French Boulevard
New Bedford, MA 02744-1223
Office 978-559-1062
Email: dave.martins@mass.gov
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Seasonal ShellFishery volunteeer opportunity
Town of Falmouth shellfish farm volunteer
THE TOWN OF FALMOUTH'S SHELLFISH FARMS NEED YOUR HELP
JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM TODAY
NO EXPERIENCE OR WEEKLY COMMITTMENT NEEDED
Just bring your waders, a pair of gloves and your enthusiasm for an hour or two when you can to help us tend an oyster farm. Join our hands-on, fun, eco-friendly volunteer program working with the Falmouth Marine and Environmental Services team. Falmouth manages 4 shellfish farms with the help of volunteers to improve the ocean water quality in our community. The Clams and Oysters are made available to the community through out the year to enjoy. Learn about aquaculture, enjoy the fresh air, and make a real impact in our water quality and stronger shorelines. Connect with others who care about our local waters and ecosystems. How to get more info to sign up and join our volunteer team Call 508-457-2550
https://www.falmouthma.gov/778/Get-Involved
2024 False Albacore Hunt
Mike Laraia wins 2024 Albie Hunt!
False Albie Hunt Recap
On Wednesday 9/18, 5 captains and crew ventured onto the waters of Vineyard Sound to hunt the elusive Albie. All captains and crews successfully returned unscathed, except maybe for their pride. The day began overcast and remained that way for the duration, ever threatening but never producing rain. The fearless fishermen were on a quest to hunt the elusive Albie.
There were 10 brave FFA members who took up the charge and went on the hunt. Boats were flying around from the rips down to Nobska and beyond, scanning, searching, nay hunting the elusive Albie. There were periods of silence when the serene waters of the sound blissfully rocked our hunters and periods of time when captains shifted quickly into action and drove to position themselves with a chance to capture their prey.
All who participated were winners! Taking some time to enjoy the company of other members locked in the battle and making some new friends along the way. The members shared information on when and where there were sightings, what the Albie were looking for and what tactics have worked in the past.
At the end of the day, there was one champion that emerged. Mike LaRaia seduced a 25 inch Albie to tickle his line to secure the title of FFA Albie Hunt champion of 2024!
Chris Bisanti
Falmouth Fishermens Association Club By Laws
Club Bylaws
FFA By-Laws - Article VI – MEMBERSHIP
All members are bound by and shall comply with By-laws.
-To be eligible for membership, a candidate shall be a law-abiding citizen, adhering to all Federal, State, Local and environmental laws. Always practicing good sportsmanship. Candidates must be proposed by at least one voting member of the Club. -Membership will be revoked by the Board of Governors for demonstrating behaviors and/or conduct inconsistent with the positive operation and direction of the Club, including misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of any kind. -The initiation fee for new members and the annual dues shall be as prescribed by the Board of Governors. Membership runs from January 1st through December 31st of each year. The annual dues, for all classes of membership, are due by April 1st of each year. Members who have not paid their dues by July 1st will cease to be members and will be placed in the category of Friends of the Club, having no rights in the Club. They will be notified of their change in status by the Treasurer and can be reinstated upon payment before September 1st. -Members in good standing may introduce and sponsor new candidates for membership. Revised: January 23, 2025
Striped Bass Conservation News
Striper conservation Opportunity
ATTENTION STRIPED BASS FISHERMEN
A PROJECT announcement from the MA Division of Marine Fisheries
About the project
Due to regulations and conservation-minded anglers, most striped bass are released back to the water after they are caught. Even though most of these fish survive, recreational releases still account for the largest source of mortality for striped bass. DMF is conducting research to understand why striped bass die after they are released and you can help!
We are seeking volunteer anglers to record some data while fishing for striped bass this year. Signing up and participating is easy, and you'll have the chance to win great prizes in our monthly raffles!
How to participate
If you're interested in joining the project as a volunteer angler, the first step is signing up through our online form. Each participant will be given a datasheets and instructions when they sign up. You'll also need three simple tools you might already have lying around. All you need to participate in the program is:
· A stopwatch—a wristwatch or smartphone can be used to record fight and release times (saying “hey siri, open stopwatch!” makes it easy on an iPhone). You can also buy a regular stopwatch at any sporting goods store.
· A thermometer—most fish-finders already have a built-in thermometer for recording water temperature, if you’re fishing from a boat. Your car probably will tell you the air temperature on the way to and from fishing. You can also buy a simple handheld thermometer from any kitchen store.
· A tape measure—most anglers probably keep one of these handy, but any kind of tape measure will do. Sometimes it is easier to note the fish length against your fishing rod, and then measure that length after release.
After sending in your first report, we'll mail you a pair of aluminum fishing pliers as a thank-you gift. Continued participation will keep you entered into regular raffle drawings for Shimano rod and reel combos!
Have questions? Email us at striper@mass.gov or call (978) 282-0308.
SIGN UP: Become a DMF citizen scientist for striped bass conservation | Mass.gov
2024 Black Sea bass tournament
Black Sea Bass Tournament News
BLACK SEA BASS TOURNAMENT 2024
WINNER: Steve O'Brien
The BSB tournament of 2024 was once again a nail biter right down to the end. If you recall last year, Skip Bandini won the tournament in the waning minutes of the hours long competition. This year was also a similar nail biter.
With the fishing nearly complete Tim Petrarca was ready to be honored the cup based on his total of 73 whopping inches of fish. As the anchors were being pulled up to meet for the cup presentation a final log was excitedly registered from the Tiger Lilly vessel. In that log Steve O'Brien also reads off his numbers. He ALSO registered a whopping total of 73"! This presents a momentary tie for the FFA Cup! But wait........
Because of the tie, the judges then had to refer back to the times of the last logged fish for each of them. Tim logged his last calculated catch in at around 11:50am, with only 10 minutes left in the tournament. A call back to the Tiger Lilly then revealed that Steve's last calculated fish was marked at 11:15am; 35 minutes prior! Based on the rules, it was determined that the first person to catch his registered total number of inches would be the winner. Because Steve caught his fish only minutes before Tim it was Steve O'Brien who would be awarded the 2024 FFA Black Sea Bass Cup. Steve is this year's Black Sea Bass Tournament Cup Winner.
Great job Steve!
Great job to all the others who participated and thank you to all who provided a great boating experience!
Michael LaRaia
Black Sea bass tournament pictures
Capt Kevin and his crew!
CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE!
freshwater fishing at peters pond
Saturday, April 13th, 7 FFA members tempted the trout with a variety of offerings. Evidently our fishing license fees have kept the fish a little too well fed as they weren't interested. Either that or Saturday the 13th is bad luck. Any day fishing is a good day!
A nice day with not much wind
Larry and Doug
Congratulations TIM PETRACCA!
FFA MEMBER AND GOOD FRIEND TIM PETRACCA ABSOLUTELY DOMINATED THE MASS STRIPED BASS AWARDS FOR 2023!!!
- 1ST - LONGEST BASS BY A SENIOR
- 2ND - LONGEST BASS ALL AGES 2ND - LONGEST BASS COMBINED FROM 3 DIFFERENT MONTHS
- 3RD - LONGEST BLUEFISH
- 3RD - LONGEST BASS AND BLUEFISH COMBINED
TIM GIVES MUCH OF HIS CREDIT TO MENTOR AND BASS GURU BILL ON THE GRILL PRODOUZ, WHO HAS UNSELFISHLY SHARED HIS WEALTH OF KNOWLE
CONGRATULATIONS TO TIM! GREAT JOB!
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)
General Information
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) manages the state’s commercial and recreational saltwater fisheries and oversees other services that support the marine environment and fishing communities.
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries - Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/MAMarineFisheries/
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries - Website
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-marine-fisheries
Recreational Saltwater Fishing Information
With over 1,500 miles of coastline, there is plenty of opportunity to fish in Massachusetts. Before you hit the water, be sure to get your fishing permit and check out the resources in the link below.
Marine Fisheries Regulations
Marine fisheries regulations are updated throughout the year. Permit holders are responsible for remaining compliant with Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) rules and regulations. DMF receives its mandate from the General Laws of the Commonwealth. It authorizes the Director of DMF to manage the Commonwealth's marine fisheries, including how often, how many, when and where fish may be taken.
Recreational Saltwater Fishing Regulations
The information below describes the current recreational fishing limits for Massachusetts and was last updated on August 30, 2022.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/recreational-saltwater-fishing-regulations
Marine Fisheries Management
The fish and shellfish in Massachusetts coastal waters are public resources. The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has the responsibility to manage these resources for all citizens, even those who do not fish. We use fisheries research to develop regulations that specify where, when, how, and how many fish can be caught each year.
Because many fish don’t stay in one place, DMF collaborates with other states and the federal government to ensure the regional or coastwide resiliency of fish stocks. Also involved in the fisheries management process are fishing industry members, environmental groups, municipalities, and other interested parties.
Marine Fisheries Advisories and Notices
Advisories
DMF Advisories provide official announcements of updates to permits, public hearings, opening & closing of fishing seasons and other important news. If you want to stay up-to-date on current Advisories subscribe to the DMF listserv.
https://www.mass.gov/archive/dmf-advisories
Public Hearing Notices
Under the provisions of M.G.L. Ch 30A and pursuant to the authority found in M.G.L. Ch. 130 ss. 17A & 80, the Division of Marine Fisheries and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission schedule public hearings to accept comment on regulatory actions and proposed changes to 322 CMR.
MASS.GOV
Public Rights Along the Shoreline
Published in 2005, the fact sheet on "Public Rights Along the Shoreline" was developed by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).
Coastal managers are often asked, "Who owns the sea and shore?" If you have been curious, or perhaps a bit confused about what rights the public has along the shoreline, here's a brief primer on waterfront property law.
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/public-rights-along-the-shoreline
Vineyard Wind Project
Overview
Vineyard Wind is well underway in developing the nation's first utility-scale offshore wind energy project over 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. The project will generate clean, renewable, cost-competitive energy for over 400,000 homes and businesses across the Commonwealth, while reducing carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year.
New England is shifting to clean, competitively-priced energy, and Massachusetts state law seeks to have 3,200 MW of offshore wind providing electricity to the Commonwealth by 2035, which could represent over 20% of electricity consumed in the state. Vineyard Wind is an important part of that goal, and will make a significant contribution to the Commonwealth’s aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while growing our economy and enhancing energy security and reliability.
Vineyard Wind Project Related Links
- Updated Vineyard Wind Website. A lot of great information, take a look. https://www.vineyardwind.com/
- SMAST Fishermen Workshops Report and Studies Recommendations (also as PDF below). https://vineyardwind.app.box.com/s/rvwqef7crahpiy3unk4cra6amr08llwb Comments on report should be sent to cbank@vineyardwind.com.
- Economic Exposure of Massachusetts Commercial Fisheries to the Vineyard Wind Project (also as PDF below). https://vineyardwind.app.box.com/s/kxzslsoblrgp6ljifc4h2ax47ic27sll Comments on report should be sent to cbank@vineyardwind.com.
- Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program helps prepare the next generation of clean energy workers by funding internships for students and recent graduates at Massachusetts clean energy and water innovation companies. https://www.masscec.com/clean-energy-internship-program
- Final environmental impact report certified for Vineyard Wind’s 800-MW offshore wind project: https://www.windpowerengineering.com/business-news-projects/final-environmental-impact-report-certified-for-vineyard-winds-800-mw-offshore-wind-project/
- Vineyard Wind Committing $15M to MA - https://www.vineyardwind.com/masswinds
- Vineyard Wind Status: https://www.boem.gov/Vineyard-Wind/
- Public comment on Vineyard Wind’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS): http://www.regulations.gov, search BOEM-2018-0069
- Vineyard Wind, Barnstable officials sign agreement on cable project: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20181004/vineyard-wind-barnstable-officials-sign-agreement-on-cable-project
- NOAA Fisheries Researchers Map Habitat, Assess Northeast Wind Energy Areas: https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/pr2018/features/wind-energy-areas-report/