Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

It’s the first weekend of June, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be out on the shore or on the water with your rod and reel. Make sure you enter your next catch in the Commissioner’s Cup Saltwater Fishing Derby! With over 30 eligible saltwater species, adult and junior categories, and two divisions (weigh-in and catch & release), there’s something for everyone. Every fish you get up on the leaderboard gets you closer to the Commissioner's Cup.

Entering your catch in the derby is quick and easy, visit our website for derby rules and online forms. https://www.mass.gov/saltwater-fishing-derby

📸 Photo courtesy of David Kadison

Eelgrass grows in shallow coastal waters, forming underwater meadows that:
✅Help prevent coastal erosion!
✅ Provide critical habitat for marine life!
✅ Improve water quality!
✅ Capture and store carbon dioxide, helping reduce the impacts of climate change, including flooding and sea level rise!

Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded nearly $500,000 in grant funding to Marine Biological Laboratory to support field and laboratory research on marine eelgrass and carbon storage. Investing in eelgrass research means investing in healthier coastlines, stronger ecosystems, and a more resilient future for Massachusetts. 🌎

Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

We had such a fun time yesterday afternoon hanging out with a fantastic group of homeschool students who wanted to learn how to saltwater fish! It was a beautiful day at Village Waterfront Park in Somerset, and the kids learned everything they need to get started. The fish may not have been biting, but everyone was a pro at casting by the end of the session!

We have several more fishing clinics coming this summer, so check out our Take Me Saltwater Fishing schedule for a clinic near you! https://www.mass.gov/info-details/saltwater-angler-education-program

Join us on June 10 from 4PM-6PM for a FREE saltwater fishing clinic at Besse Park’s sport fishing pier in Wareham, MA. Come out and spend the afternoon learning how to saltwater fish! No experience or gear necessary – we'll teach you all the angling basics. Learn more and register for a spot: https://www.mass.gov/event/take-me-saltwater-fishing-besse-park-06-10-2026

Look out, we have a new pair of striped bass leaders on the Commissioner's Cup leaderboard! Donald Gilboy reeled in a 44-inch striper to take the top spot in the adult catch and release division. Over in the junior catch & release division, Mason Hutchison moved up with the biggest striper, an impressive 42-incher! The season’s just getting started, who will challenge them at the top of the leaderboard? Learn how to enter your catches in the derby: https://www.mass.gov/saltwater-fishing-derby

Reminder: Tomorrow, June 2nd, DMF is hosting a virtual public hearing on draft regulations affecting commercial surf clam and ocean quahog dredge fisheries.

The virtual public hearing will be held at 6 PM, June 2 via Zoom. Written public comment will be accepted through 5 PM on June 12.

Register for the Zoom public hearing: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aBTtVZYmQmS5PvqOrbwo1g #/registration

Learn more about the draft regulations here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/proposed-amendments-to-division-of-marine-fisheries-regulations

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the Massachusetts Environmental Trust License Plate Auction! Your support helps us raise funds and awareness for the conservation of striped bass in Massachusetts. We appreciate your commitment to making a difference!

Missed out on a low number plate? Keep your eyes open for future auctions or learn more about how to get a Striped Bass Conservation specialty plate right now through the MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-striped-bass-conservation-license-plate

Have you seen a stranded horseshoe crab? You can give them a helping hand!

While horseshoe crabs spend most of their lives on the seafloor, when they migrate onto beaches during spawning season, they’re at risk of flipping over and becoming stuck. In fact, stranding during spawning is the leading cause of natural mortality among adult horseshoe crabs.

If you find any stranded crabs this spawning season, we encourage you to flip them over gently by holding the sides of their shell, and send them on their way! However, if you find crabs right-side-up on the beach, please don’t disturb them! They’ll return to the water on their own.

Don’t forget to submit your sightings to our Horseshoe Crab Challenge on iNaturalist! https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/massachusetts-horseshoe-crab-challenge