CONTACT:
Doug Grout: (603) 868-1095
Renee Zobel: (603) 868-1095
October 19, 2018
DURHAM, NH – Atlantic herring harvesters and dealers should be aware that the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area, which includes areas within the jurisdiction of New Hampshire, will be closed from 12:01 a.m. on October 26, 2018, through 11:59 p.m. on November 22, 2018 (pursuant to Fis 603.07). It is unlawful to fish for, take, or possess unprocessed herring during this closure.
An exception to this rule is that any vessel may land herring taken as an incidental catch in the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area or in Management Area 1A, up to a maximum of 2,000 pounds per calendar day. This does not prevent the landing of Atlantic herring taken from an area not under a closure or restriction provided the vessel is equipped with a functional vessel-monitoring system.
This spawning closure may be extended by the Executive Director if results of the herring samples collected at the end of the closure indicate spawning is ongoing.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission coordinates the conservation and management of the 15 Atlantic coast states’ shared near-shore fishery resources — marine, shell and anadromous — for sustainable use. Visit www.asmfc.org.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. The Department’s Marine Fisheries Division is located in Durham, N.H. Visit www.wildnh.com/marine.
