Consistent with the Interstate Plan for Atlantic Herring and 322 CMR 9.05, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) reminds fishermen that vessels participating in other fisheries may retain an incidental catch of sea herring that does not exceed 2,000-lbs. during restricted times. This includes no-fishing days.

On August 28 th, MarineFisheries announced that it is implementing an additional no-fishing day (Friday) for Atlantic sea herring in Management Area 1A. Therefore, effective 0001 hours on September 7th, 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 1st 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 daily for the remainder of the fishing year.

Figure 1. Map of Herring Management Areas.