On August 4, 2010 officials from Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, representing the ASMFC Sea Herring Section states, revised Area 1A effort controls regarding the possession and landing of sea herring.  It was decided that beginning on August 8, 2010 states would allow sea herring to be landed seven-days per week through September 30, 2010.  On October 1, 2010 the states would allow the landing of sea herring only on Mondays and Tuesdays; all other days would be a ‘day-out’.

On ‘days-out’ a bycatch of 2,000 pounds may be retained and landed, provided the permit holder lands only once per day.  Any further revisions will be based on landing data and must be approved by the three states. 

Authorization letters have been sent to Massachusetts sea herring permit holders allowing for the implementation of these changes to Area 1A sea herring effort control.

Contact MarineFisheries for details at 617 626-1520 or visit the website at: www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.