April 19, 2013 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
ARLINGTON, Va. — Atlantic Herring Section (Section) members from Maine, New Hampshire, and the Massachusetts will meet at 9:30 am on April 29, 2013 to discuss ‘days out’ measures for the 2013 fishing season in Area 1A. This meeting will take place at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Region 3 Office and Marine Fisheries Division, 225 Main Street, Durham NH 03824. Parking is limited at the office, so please try to carpool.
The Section set the 2013 Area 1A total allowable catch at 31,200 metric tons. An additional 295 metric tons was set aside for the fixed gear fishery and 1,425 metric tons was taken out for the 2011 overage in 1A for a new TAC of 29,480 metric tons. The Section agreed to seasonal quotas with 72.8% available from June 1 – September 30 and 27.2% available from October 1 – December 31. Previously in 2012, the Section agreed to begin the June 1 – September 30 fishery by taking 5 days out of the fishery, allowing landing on Monday and Tuesday only.
Fishermen are prohibited from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring harvested from Area 1A until June 1, 2013.
Please contact Toni Kerns at (703) 842-0740 for more information.