Notice to Atlantic Herring Fishery: Atlantic Sea Herring Management Plan,
Area 1A Effort Reduction Provisions, October - November 2008
Summary:
During a Days Out meeting in Durham NH on September 24th, 2008, Commissioners from the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts agreed to adjust the days out for the Atlantic Herring fishery in Area 1A.
Effective September 28th, 2008:
- Atlantic herring may be landed on October 1st, 8th, 15th 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th from 12:01 AM – 11:59 PM.
- Atlantic herring may be landed on November 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th: from 12:01 AM – 11:59 PM and every Tuesday and Wednesday, thereafter until the end of the calendar year.
- It will be unlawful to land Atlantic herring caught from Area 1A during any other dates and times. This action is for the rest of the calendar year until changed by an additional notice.
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 does not constitute more than 10% of the catch by weight.
- Fixed gear fisherman (weirs and stop seines) south of a line drawn from Spruce Point, (44° 36.2’ and 67° 16.8’) Cross Island, Cutler due east magnetic to the international boundary with Canada; MAY NOT close off a body of water on days designated as a "day out" of the fishery. Fixed gear fishermen, may remove and land herring from fixed gear on the days designated as a “day out” of the fishery.
- Fixed gear (weirs and stop seine) catches in waters north of a line drawn from Spruce Point, (44° 36.2’ and 67° 16.8’) Cross Island, Cutler, due east magnetic to the international boundary with Canada are exempted from the above restrictions.
- Fixed gear fishermen are reminded that they must comply with area spawning regulations.
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.
