Maine herring fishery is now compliant with ASMFC spawning regulation

September 24, 2007

Below is the official ASMFC notice declaring that Maine has come into compliance with the ASMFC Spawning Regulations for herring. Maine went out of compliance in early summer, but Maine state managers and the Maine purse seiners worked together to make the necessary changes to return to compliance

ASMFC Memorandum
September 21, 2007

TO: ISFMP Policy Board, Atlantic Herring Section
FROM: Chris Vonderweidt, FMP Coordinator
SUBJECT: Update on Maine Herring Regulations

The Maine Department of Marine Resources has passed ‘zero tolerance’ spawning regulations for Atlantic herring that will bring Maine into compliance with all spawning restriction provisions of the FMP for Atlantic Herring. The new regulations will go into effect on September 24, 2007.

On August 16, 2007, the ASMFC found Maine to be out of compliance with the ‘zero tolerance’ provision of Technical Addendum 1 to Amendment II to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring.

The ASMFC agreed to postpone sending notification to the Secretary of Commerce that it has made a noncompliance determination until after the Maine Advisory Council could review proposed regulations which would bring Maine into compliance. Regulations must receive the advice and consent of the Advisory Council before they can be adopted in the State of Maine. The Advisory Council reviewed and unanimously approved the new ‘zero tolerance’ regulation at a meeting on September 19, 2007.

A copy of Maine’s new regulations are attached.

Please feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance (202-289-6400; cvonderweidt@asmfc.org).