Notice to Atlantic Herring Fishery: Area 1A Effort Reduction Provisions
Effective September 24, 2009
ASMFC Atlantic Herring Section members from the States of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts discussed 2009 Area 1A effort controls on a conference call on September 17, 2009. On this conference call it was decided that the states would allow four landings days per week for the rest of the month of September 2009. It was also decided that beginning October 1, 2009 the States would allow two landing days per week for the rest of the calendar year until changed by an additional notice.
Landing Restrictions:
Effective September 24, 2009 until October 1, 2009, it is unlawful to land Atlantic herring in the State of Maine taken from ASMFC Management Area 1A, except:
- Sunday, September 20th 6 PM until Thursday, September 24th 6 PM
- Saturday, September 26th 6 PM until Wednesday September 30th 6 PM.
Vessels may only land four times during the four 24 hour period:
- Once between Sunday, September 20th 6 PM to Monday 6 PM, once between Monday 6 PM to Tuesday 6 PM, once between Tuesday 6 PM to Wednesday 6 PM and once between Wednesday 6 pm to Thursday, September 24th 6 PM.
- and the following week once between Saturday, September 26th 6 PM to Sunday 6 PM, once between Sunday 6 PM to Monday 6 PM, once between Monday 6 PM to Tuesday 6 PM, and once between Tuesday 6 PM to Wednesday, September 30th 6 PM.
Effective October 1, 2009 until further notice, it is unlawful to land Atlantic herring in the State of Maine taken from ASMFC Management Area 1A, except Sunday from 6 PM until Tuesday 6 PM. Vessels may only land twice during the two 24 hour periods; once between Sunday 6 PM to Monday 6 PM and once between Monday 6 PM to Tuesday 6 PM.
Exceptions:
- Any vessel may land herring as an incidental catch caught in ASMFC Management Area 1A in any Maine port, as long as such herring do not comprise more than 2,000 pounds per trip and such herring do not constitute more than 10% of the catch by weight.
- Fixed gear fishermen (weirs and stop seines) are not subject to this provision.
For more details, please contact your local Marine Patrol Division Headquarters (Div I 633-9595, Div II 667-3373) or your local marine patrol officer.
