Notice To Commercial Fisherman Regarding Haddock Size

[Brandon-K]

NOTICE TO COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN REGARDING HADDOCK SIZE

DURHAM, N.H. -- No haddock smaller than 19 inches may be possessed by commercial fishermen in New Hampshire. Although the National Marine Fisheries Service has reduced the federal size limit of haddock to 18 inches for commercial vessels effective August 10, 2007, current State of New Hampshire regulations do NOT allow for the possession of 18-inch haddock. The state's 19-inch haddock size minimum will prevail in New Hampshire until the state regulations are changed.

"The State of New Hampshire does not expect to be able to change its haddock regulations to match the federal size limit until a public hearing is conducted in September and approval of the change is made - probably in October of this year," said New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Marine Fisheries Chief John Nelson.

To recap, until a change in state law takes place, no haddock smaller than 19 inches may be possessed by commercial fishermen in New Hampshire. Recreational limits for haddock also remain at 19 inches.

For further information, contact New Hampshire Fish and Game's Marine Fisheries Division, in the Department's Region 3 office in Durham, at (603) 868-1095.