Rockland, June 17. Good weather and a good turnout of racers made the day at Rockland for the Maine Lobster Boat Races. Boothbay held their event on Saturday. The Rockland lighthouse and breakwater are in the background. More exclusive race photos by Sam Murfitt appear on pages 12 and 13. ©Photo by Sam Murfitt
Observers On Herring Fleet
Closed Areas Still Open
by Laurie Schreiber
At its June 19-21 meeting, the New England Fisheries Management Council (NEFMC) voted to include 100 percent observer coverage, on Category A and B herring vessels, as part of Amendment 5 to the Herring Management Plan.
The plan will go to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for approval.
The decision was made after receiving tens of thousands of comments, electronically and in hearings along the coast, that were overwhelmingly in support of the measure. Earlier this year, NEFMC held eight hearings, from Rockland to Cape May, N.J., to receive comment on Amendment 5.
