Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section has set optimal yield (OY) for the 2010 – 2012 fishing seasons at 91,200 metric tons (mt). For all three years, the OY will be distributed to the three Atlantic herring management areas and two sub-areas as follows: Area 1A = 26,546 mt, Area 1B = 4,362 mt, Area 2 = 22,146 mt, and Area 3 = 38,146 mt. In addition, the three year specifications allow for the allocation of 3,000 mt to Area 1A in November and December if landings in the New Brunswick fishery are below 9,000 mt by October 15. The Area 1A TAC will be distributed seasonally for the 2010 fishing season with 72.8% (19,325 mt) available from June 1 – September 30 and 27.2 % (7,220 mt) available
from October 1 – December 31.
Optimal yield was reduced by 53,800 mt below the 2008 and 2009 amount (145,000 mt) because of a retrospective pattern that has overestimated biomass on average of 40% over the last several years. The specifications are consistent with those sent to NOAA’s Northeast Regional Administrator by the New England Fishery Management Council. The table below outlines the Commission’s final herring specifications for 2010-2012, as well as those sent to the Regional Administrator.
Summary of ASMFC and NEFMC Atlantic Herring Specifications for 2010-2012. Specifications are for 2010 – 2012 with the exception of allowable biological catch. Values are provided in metric tons.
| SPECIFICATIONS | ASMFC | NEFMC Recommended |
| Allowable Biological Catch (May | 145,000 – 2010 | 145,000 – 2010 |
| become OFL in ASMFC Addendum II | 134,000 – 2011 | 134,000 – 2011 |
| and NEFMC Amendment 4) | 127,000 – 2012 | 127,000 – 2012 |
| U.S. Optimal Yield | 91,200 | 91,200 |
| Border Transfer (BT) | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| TAC Area 1A | 26,546 | 26,546 |
| TAC Area 1B | 4,362 | 4,362 |
| TAC Area 2 | 22,146 | 22,146 |
| TAC Area 3 | 38,146 | 38,146 |
| Research Set-Aside | None | None |
| Fixed Gear Set-Aside (1A) | 295 | 295 |
The Section also approved Draft Addendum II and III for public comment. Draft Addendum II proposes changes to the specification definitions, administrative process and annual paybacks for overages in a management area. Draft Addendum III proposes exemptions from ‘days out’ for small mesh bottom trawl vessels fishing in Area 1A. Both Draft Addenda will be released for public comment in early March 2010 and public hearings will be held in March and April 2010. Press releases on the addenda’s availability and public hearing schedule will be released once the hearings have been finalized.
For more information, please contact Christopher Vonderweidt, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or cvonderweidt@asmfc.org.