Section 188-91-01 - Spat Collection Limitations1.SpeciesThe holder of a spat collection license may fish for, take, possess, or sell the spat of Placopecten magellanicus (sea scallop). It is unlawful to sell, or to place onto a lease or license site, any other species taken as by catch when fishing for scallop spat.
2.Maximum SizeIt is unlawful to possess or sell scallop spat whose shells are more than 2 inches in the longest diameter.
3.GearA. The holder of a spat collection license may deploy up to 15 vertical lines, with a maximum of 30 spat collection bags on each line. The holder of a spat collection license may not deploy lines horizontally.B. Spat bags may be constructed using mesh no larger than 1 cm, with settlement components inside the bags such as fine meshed material that increase the surface area inside the bags.C. Bags may be no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet, when laid flat on a surface.D. Each surface buoy must be marked with letters "SC", the license number, and the number of the vertical line (numbered consecutively, up to a maximum of 15).E. The holder of a spat collection is exempt from any closures established in 11.08, 11.09, and 11.12 for the purpose of scallop spat collection.F. Vertical lines must be rigged to conform to whale take reduction protocols specified in Chapter 75.4.SeasonA. The holder of a spat collection license is exempt from the scallop season established in 11.11 for the purpose of scallop spat collection.B. It is unlawful to have any have spat collection lines and bags in the coastal waters during the month of July.5.Record KeepingThe holder of a spat collection license must maintain records pertaining to their collection activities and spat sales on forms supplied by the Department. These records must be made available to the Department upon request and must comply with the following:
A. The records must be complete, accurate and legible;B. The records must be retained for a minimum of three years.13- 188 C.M.R. ch. 91, § 01