Herring Area 1A Effort Control Measures for June – September 2019

May 17, 2019
MarineFisheries Advisory

The Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), with the approval of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, has issued a declaration to close the commercial sea herring fishery in Management Area 1A during the period of June 1 – September 30 (Declaration Notice). During this period, it shall be unlawful to fish for, retain or land any sea herring taken from Management Area 1A without explicit authorization from DMF. The 2,000 pound incidental trip limit no longer applies.
However, consistent with the effort control measures adopted by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section (“Section”) on April 3, 2019 (ASMFC Notice), DMF may issue Letters of Authorization and a Statement of Permit Conditions to commercial fishermen to fish for, retain and land sea herring taken from Management Area 1A. The effort control measures implemented by this Letter of Authorization and Statement of Permit Conditions will allow commercial fishing to occur in Management Area 1A during the period of July 15 – September 30. The initial limits will authorize federal “Category A” permit holders to retain and land up to 160,000 pounds per week (4 trucks); federal “Category C” permit holders to retain and land up to 55,000 pounds per trip; federal “Category D” permit holders to retain and land up to 6,600 pounds per trip; and state-only permit holders to retain and land up to 2,000 pounds per trip.
Per our April 9, 2019 Advisory, commercial fishermen may apply for a Letter of Authorization using the embedded form. Federal “Category C” and “Category D” permit holders are reminded that their applications must be submitted by 12:00 PM (noon) on Friday, May 31, 2019. State-only permit holders must submit their applications by 12:00 PM (noon) on Friday, June 28, 2019. The application for federal “Category A” permit holders is closed.
For more information, please contact Cate O’Keefe by phone (508-742-9744) or by e-mail (catherine.o’[email protected]).