Recent sampling of commercial catches indicates that Atlantic herring spawning activity continues in the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area. Therefore, as authorized at 322 CMR 9.03(3), the Director of MarineFisheries is extending the closure of the area. Effective 00:01 hours on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, until 23:59 hours on Monday, November 12, 2012, it shall be unlawful to possess or land sea herring caught from the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area.

Spawning area boundaries begin at the intersection of 43°30' N latitude and the Maine coast, then proceed in a southwesterly direction along the coast to the intersection of 70°00' W longitude with the Cape Cod shoreline, then in a northerly direction along 70°00' W longitude to its intersection with 43°30' N latitude, then along the 43°30N line back to the coast (322 CMR 9.01(9)).

Vessels participating in other fisheries may retain an incidental catch of sea herring that does not exceed more than 2,000 lbs of herring per trip. Sea herring taken legally outside the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area may be transported through the area, only if all fishing gear has been stowed.

For more information contact us at 617-626-1520 or please visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.