Menhaden: Quota update and Reporting Reminder
Maine Department of Marine Resources sent this bulletin at 06/15/2022 08:51 AM EDT
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Notice to Menhaden License holders:
Good morning,
This notice is to inform harvesters on the status of the state allocated quota. The allocated state quota for Maine is 2,194,080 pounds for FY2022. As of yesterday morning (Tuesday, June 14, 2022), 1,630,714 pounds have been reported (approximately 75%).
Harvest will continue on Thursday, June 16th as scheduled. It is anticipated that we will consume our state allocated quota this week. A follow-up notice will be sent once the Commissioner makes a final determination on next steps.
FAILURE TO REPORT
According to records received to date, 62 harvesters of the total 122 harvesters that were active on Monday's opening day reported late. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. Landing reports are essential for accurate monitoring of the quota and impacts real-time management decisions related to the operations of the menhaden fishery. Delay in harvester reports could result in a delay in fishery openings as well as impact efforts to secure more quota.
Final notice: All Menhaden Commercial license holders are required to report the same day you land fish, as described in Chapter 41.30(1)(B). Failure to do so would be considered an act of non-compliance and is grounds for a summons and possibly a suspension from the Atlantic menhaden fishery.
Electronic reporting can be completed through either LEEDS or the VESL electronic harvest reporting application available for iOS and Android devices. Please note that if you have already signed up to VESL for a different species, you will already have access for reporting menhaden. Contact Marissa.L.DeCosta@maine.gov (207-633-9566) with questions on electronic reporting.