Notice to all Commercial Menhaden Harvesters:
This notice is to inform harvesters that Maine has been granted approval to participate in the Episodic Event Set Aside (EESA) fishery. The EESA fishery OPENS tomorrow, Thursday, August 28, 2025 at 12:01 a.m.
The EESA quota is 5.1 million pounds. Both the state of Maine and Massachusetts are participating and will begin harvesting Thursday.
2025 COMMERCIAL HARVEST: EPISODIC ALLOCATED FISHERY HARVEST CONTROLS
- Harvest days are Mondays and Thursdays
- Daily vessel limit is 7,000 lbs or 20 barrels per harvester vessel
- Storage of menhaden required immediately upon harvest
- Either fish tanks, barrels, crates or totes
- Harvester vessels are prohibited from transferring while at sea
- Vessels are prohibited from receiving any menhaden while at sea from another vessel
- Trip level reports are due same day as landing before 11:59 pm through VESL or LEEDS