1A NO-FISHING DAYS
Consistent with 322 CMR 9.05, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is implementing a fourth no-fishing day (Thursday) for Atlantic sea herring in Management Area 1A. Effective 0001 hours on September 20th, it is unlawful for a vessel to fish commercially for sea herring in Management Area 1A (see Figure 1) on Thursdays through Sundays. Vessels participating in other fisheries may retain incidental catch of herring that does not exceed more than 2,000-lbs. of sea herring per 24-hour day. This measure will remain in effect through September 30th.

This action is being taken to comply with Amendment II to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Sea Herring and 2007-2008 annual specifications for sea herring as approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Atlantic Herring Section. Specifically, the Atlantic Herring Section has agreed to implement additional days-out restrictions to ensure that ~15,000 mt of the annual sea herring quota will be available for harvest in Area 1A starting October 1st. Effective 0001 hours on October 1st no-fishing days will revert to Fridays through Sundays.

Note that once 95% of the 50,000 mt Management Area 1A quota is projected to have been caught, vessels will be limited to 2,000-lbs. of sea herring per 24-hour day for the remainder of the fishing year.

Figure 1. Map of Herring Management Areas.

1A SPAWNING CLOSURE
Consistent with 322 CMR 9.03, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is prohibiting the landing or possession of sea herring caught from the MA/NH Herring Spawning Area (see Figure 2) effective 0001 hours on September 21st through October 18th. Vessels participating in other fisheries may retain incidental catch of herring that does not exceed more than 2,000-lbs. of sea herring per 24-hour day.

Definitions:
Spawn herring means mature sea herring in gonad stages V and VI.

Spawning area boundaries begin at the intersection of 43°30' N latitude and the Maine coast, then in a SW direction along the coast to the intersection of 70°00' W longitude with the Cape Cod shoreline, then north along 70°00' W to its intersection with 43°30' N latitude, then along the 43°30 N line back to the coast.

Figure 2. Map of MA/NH Herring Spawning
Area in Management Area 1A.