Earlier this week, the Department announced that the state allocation fishery for menhaden would
close on Sunday, August 24 at 11:59 p.m. However, this week's landings have been lower than
expected, so DMR is now amending the closure date to next Monday, August 25, at 11:59 p.m. This
will provide an additional commercial harvest day on Monday, August 25th under the weekly limit of
17,850 pounds.
This notice is to inform harvesters that the state allocated quota is projected to be fully reached at the
end of day next Monday. The commercial menhaden fishery will close Monday, August 25, 2025 at
11:59 p.m., to all commercial fishing and landing until further notice.
Note: Commercial menhaden harvesters using pound nets or fish weirs will be reduced to an
incidental take of 1,050 pounds per harvester vessel per day in accordance with Chapter 41.30(1)(A)
when targeting species under their Commercial Pelagic and Anadromous License. Non-commercial
menhaden license holders are not impacted by this closure and may continue to harvest 1,050
pounds per harvester and per vessel each day, in accordance with Chapter 41.40. Recreational
fishermen may take up to 25 fish per day for personal use, in accordance with Chapter 41.50.
Early next week, the Department will request approval to participate in the Episodic Event Set Aside
(EESA) fishery program. We recognize that Maine's menhaden fishery is economically important this
time of year, as well as playing a vital role in our lobster fishery. While the application to enter the
EESA takes several days to process, we are working closely with ASFMC staff for a quick transition.
A follow-up notice will be sent next week once we receive a decision from ASMFC and have
determined the opening date of the EESA.