CONTACT:
Doug Grout: (603) 868-1095
Renee Zobel: (603) 868-1095
September 19, 2019
DURHAM, NH – Atlantic herring harvesters and dealers should be aware the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area, which includes areas within the jurisdiction of New Hampshire, will be closed from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 23, 2019, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 3, 2019 (pursuant to Fis 603.07). It is unlawful to fish for, take, or possess unprocessed herring during this closure.
An exception to the rule is that any vessel may land herring taken as an incidental catch in the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area in Herring 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.
The 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.
Commissioners from the States of New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Management Board will hold a meeting via conference call on October 2, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. to consider fisheries specifications for Period 4 (November-December) in Herring Management Area 1A. The public is invited to join via conference call at 1-888-585-9008 using passcode 853-657-937 or webinar at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/239062933.
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, NH. Visit www.wildnh.com/marine.