What do I need to know about the new Pelagic and Anadromous fishing licenses?
The State Legislature passed a new law that created the Commercial Pelagic and Anadromous Fishing License. Any harvester commercially fishing for the following species must purchase this license: Atlantic herring, Atlantic menhaden (pogies), Whiting (silver hake), Spiny dogfish, River herring (alewife and blueback herring also known as kayaks or sawbellies), Atlantic mackerel, Squid, Butterfish, Scup, Black Sea Bass, Smelt, and/or Shad. This licensing requirement does not apply to a person who fishes for, takes, possesses or transports any pelagic or anadromous fish that have been taken by speargun, harpoon, minnow trap, hand dip net or hook and line and are only for personal use. These species were previously harvested under the Commercial Fishing License. The Commercial Pelagic and Anadromous Fishing License becomes effective January 1, 2011. Commercial Fishing licenses will no longer require the bait gillnet, herring, whiting or dogfish endorsements/permits. Fishing for these specie
