Consistent with federal and interstate action and 322 CMR 9.00, the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is closing the directed Management Area 1A Atlantic herring fishery.  This closure is effective at 1200 hours (noon) on November 5, 2012.  The National Marine Fisheries Service has projected that 95% of the 2012 Area 1A total allowable catch has been harvested. 

From noon on November 5, 2012 through December 31, 2012, vessels may continue to retain and land an incidental catch of Atlantic herring from Management Area 1A, provided it does not exceed 2,000 lbs per day or trip, whichever is longer.  This action does not affect the catch, retention and landing of sea herring caught from other management areas; vessels transiting Area 1A with more than 2,000 lbs of Atlantic herring caught from other open areas must have all seine and mid-water trawl gear stowed. As a reminder, Management Area 3 was closed effective 0001 hours, October 7, 2012 through December 31, 2012.