Consistent with 322 CMR 9.00, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is implementing an additional no-fishing day (Friday) for Atlantic sea herring in Management Area 1A. Therefore, effective 0001 hours on September 7 th, it is unlawful for a vessel to land or possess sea herring harvested from Management Area 1A on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (see Figure 1).

This action is being taken to comply with the 2007-2008 annual specifications for sea herring as approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Atlantic Herring Section. Implementing an additional no-fishing day is meant to ensure quota remains available for harvest in Management Area 1A from October 1 st onward.  

Note that once 95% of the 50,000 mt Management Area 1A quota is projected to have been caught, a 2,000-lb. trip limit will be implemented for the remainder of the fishing year.

Figure 1. Map of Herring Management Areas.