2009 Area 1A Effort Reduction Provisions announced

May 26, 2009

Maine Department of Marine Resources
Notice to Atlantic Herring Fishery:

Atlantic Sea Herring Management Plan
Area 1A Effort Reduction Provisions

Section members from the States of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts discussed 2009 Area 1A effort controls at a meeting in Durham NH on May 21st 2009. At this meeting it was decided that states would allow landings two days a week and that States would meet again July 9th to discuss further changes as necessary

Landing Restrictions:
Effective June 1st 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 once in any given calendar day between 00:01 AM through 11:59 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 does not constitute more then 10% of the catch by weight.

*Fixed gear fisherman (weirs and stop seines) are not subject to this provision.