On July 3, 2012 the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Atlantic Sea Herring Section (consisting of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts Commissioners) met to review catch rates in the Management Area 1A Atlantic sea herring fishery and determined that landings were 34% above projected levels.  The days out specifications beginning were adjusted.  Rather than proceeding to a seven-day a week fishery, the Section chose to maintain the four day per week fishery.

Pursuant to 322 CMR 9.05(2) the Director, with the approval of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, here by declares the following days out schedule for Management Area 1A:

July 15, 2012 – Further Notification During this period, vessels in the directed fishery are authorized to land Atlantic sea herring on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays.  The fishery will take three days out, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Vessels may only land once per day on any authorized landing day and are prohibited from landing in excess of 2,000 pounds of Atlantic sea herring bycatch on any day out. Future Determinations The Section will meet on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to review catch rates in Management Area 1A.  Days out specifications may be adjusted at this time.

For further information regarding the above days out meeting or more generally about Atlantic sea herring
management, please visit the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission website (www.asmfc.org) and
our website at (www.mass.gov/marinefisheries).