FINAL RULEMAKING: Chapter 41, effective April 22, 2025; Menhaden to open Monday, June 9, 2025

Maine Department of Marine Resources sent this bulletin at 04/23/2025 04:24 PM EDT

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Notice to interested stakeholders: 

The Atlantic Menhaden 2025 season rule has been approved by the Department of Marine Resources Advisory Council and is effective Tuesday, April 22, 2025. 

All related materials have been posted to the Department's website under "Regulations" and "Newly Adopted Rules".  

Please be advised that the Atlantic Menhaden Management webpage has been updated for the 2025 fishing year. The highlights are listed below. 

 

 

Atlantic Menhaden Highlights for FY2025

  • Atlantic Menhaden Fishery Season - May 1 through November 30 
    • Non-commercial fishery begins May 1, 2025
    • Pound net operators may begin May 1, 2025, with incidental catch limit of 1,050 pounds
    • Commercial fishery begins Monday, June 9, 2025
  • Episodic Event Set-Aside amended to a weekly limit of 14,000 pounds or 40 barrels
    • If another state participates, Maine will drop back to a daily limit to reduce risk of overage

 

CHAPTER 41: Atlantic Menhaden 2025 Season

CONCISE SUMMARY: This rulemaking adjusts the start date of the commercial menhaden fishery to the second Monday of June. Incidental harvest of menhaden by fish weir, stop seine, or pound net operators is amended to begin May 1st, annually. Effort restrictions for the Episodic Event Set-Aside (EESA) program are expanded to allow for flexible harvest plans dependent on the number of states participating in the EESA. Lastly, the designated partnership agreement program initiated in 2024 has been removed.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Tuesday, April 22, 2025