Under the provisions of M.G.L. Ch 30A and pursuant to the authority found in M.G.L. Ch. 130 ss. 17A Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission (MFAC) have scheduled a hearing to accept comments on DMF proposals to amend regulations governing the Atlantic sea herring fishery (322 CMR 9.00), including:

MarineFisheries intends to amend 322 CMR 9.05(1) to update regulatory language that currently specifies out-dated no-fishing days for Management Area 1A and aligns the current specification process with other specification processes (e.g., scup) that require a two week comment period and final approval by the MFC (see proposed red-line regulations).

1. deleting reference to out-dated no-fishing days; and
2. further detailing the annual specification process by establishing a two-week public comment period on proposed specifications and formalizing the role of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission in final approval of proposed specifications.

A public hearing has been scheduled for 11AM on:
Thursday, July 10, 2008 at the Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station (30 Emerson Ave. , Gloucester).

Comments received by e-mail (marine.fish@state.ma.us), fax (617.626.1509), or mail (251 Causeway St., Suite 400;
Boston, MA 02114) will be accepted until noon on Thursday, July 10, 2008.

Contact DMF for regulations and further details or visit our website at www.mass.gov/marinefisheries.