Pursuant to 322 CMR 9.00, the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission approved Atlantic sea herring days-out for Management Area 1A as enacted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Atlantic Sea Herring Section’s Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts Commissioners.

The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is providing this notice detailing the days-out specifications for the 2011 Atlantic sea herring fishery in Management Area 1A (see map below) from June 27 – July 17 and July 18 to September 30, 2011:

Vessels in the directed sea herring fishery: During the June 27 – July 17 period, vessels in the directed fishery are allowed to land Atlantic sea herring 3 days per week (Monday through Wednesday).  Directed fishery landings are prohibited from Thursday through Sunday; During the July 18 – September 30 period, vessels in the directed fishery are allowed to land Atlantic sea herring 4 days per week (Monday through Thursday).  Directed fishery landings are prohibited Friday through Sunday; Vessels may only land Atlantic sea herring once per day on open fishing days. Vessels in the non-directed fishery:  From June 27 – September 30 vessels may retain an incidental bycatch daily trip limit of sea herring, provided it does not exceed 2,000 lbs. These vessels are not subject to days-out specifications.

For further information regarding Atlantic sea herring management please visit the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission website (www.asmfc.org) and our website at (www.mass.gov/marinefisheries).