Bycatch Evidence 
Atlantic Herring - State Atlantic (Sea) Herring in State Waters-General Description of ASMFC Management Process
Atlantic Herring - State Atlantic (Sea) Herring in State Waters-General Description of ASMFC Management Process
Atlantic (Sea) Herring in State Waters-General Description of ASMFC Management Process
Atlantic (Sea) Herring in State Waters-General Description of ASMFC Management Process
Atlantic or Sea Herring are regulated through complementary management processes between the New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. A majority of fishing for Atlantic Herring occurrs in federal waters outside three miles and this fishing is managed by the NEFMC. This web site has a separate secion for information on NEFMC Atlantic Herring
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was formed by the 15 Atlantic coast states in 1942 in recognition that fish do not adhere to political boundaries. The Commission serves as a deliberative body, coordinating the conservation and management of the states shared near shore fishery resources.
Member states are Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Each is represented by three Commissioners who all participate in deliberations however ASFMC operates on a one-state one-vote concept which allows Commissioners to address stakeholder-resource balance issues at the state level.
The ASMFC manages many different species under FMP's (Fisheries Management Plans). Atlantic Herring fishing in state waters are managed by ASMFC Atlantic Herring Plan.
A first timer watching the confusing management process might think that all the ASMFC does is copy and rubber stamp the Atlantic Herring Plan managed by the NEFMC for federal waters. The truth is that although there is some actual fishing in state waters, the ASMFC is able to bring influence to the development of the more powerful NEFMC plan because of the authority to control all landings that occur in state waters. Thus, the ASMFC plan effects the development of the NEFMC plan and the two management bodies must work together to manage the one species.
The bulk of the plan development is done by a sub section of the full ASMFC called the Atlantic Herring Section. The ASMFC has declared the Atlantic herring stock complex is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring,
The ASMFC also has appointed a n Advisory Panel made up of stakeholder representatives to provide advice on development of each plan.
Apr 22, 2010
Friends of Honest Bycatch
