**Important--Herring off Northeast US**

[twofinbluna]

We have entered into a critical phase in the decision making process and all of you who fish in New England - or even if you are from far away and want to help- please send in a comment letter showing your support. If you dont know about this disaster that is turning the Gulf of Maine and surrounding areas into a marine desert, here is a link to a summary I wrote for the RFA website recently, it will tell you everything you need to know:

http://www.joinrfa.org/NewsDetail.asp?ID=74

Here is a sample comment letter you can send in (you can also follow the instructions listed at the bottom of the RFA summary)

"Patricia Kurkul
Regional Administrator
NOAA/NMFS
One Blackburn Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930

XX DATE XX

Dear Regional Administrator Kurkul,

My name is XXX , I am a XXX (recreational fisherman, for example). I am writing to show my support for the Proposed Rule for the implementation of Amendment 1 to the Herring Fishery Managment Plan. The Purse Seine/Fixed Gear Only Zone in the summer months, as well as the other measures in the PR, are vital to the ecosystem off the Northeast US.

Thanks for your time,

XXXX


Contact Info:

• Mail to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional
Administrator, NMFS, Northeast
Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside
of the envelope ‘‘Comments Herring
Amendment 1’’

• Fax to Patricia A. Kurkul (978) 281–
9135;

• E-mail to the following address:
HerrAmend1@noaa.gov. Include in the
subject line of the e-mail comment the
following document identifier:
‘‘Comments HerrPropRuleAmend1.’’

• Electronically through the Federal
e-Rulemaking portal: http://
www.regulations.gov.

Thanks guys. Each and every comment that is sent will help, and I can ASSURE you that the midwater trawlers are doing all they can to make sure the public, as well as the NE Council, are not listened to.

Let me know if you have any questions.