Attention Atlantic Halibut Tag Holders
The final rulemaking of Chapter 34 Groundfish has published. Attached to this notice are the Chapter 34 rulemaking package and the 2025 Halibut Compliance Guide for Maine State Waters Halibut Fishing Regulations.
Chapter 34 Groundfish: Halibut
Concise Summary:
This regulation aligns expected halibut catch in Maine’s territorial waters with the state waters sub-component established in the New England Fishery Management Council’s Framework 69 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This regulation prohibits fishing for Atlantic halibut in Maine’s territorial waters on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Maine halibut season. It also reduces the number of allowable hooks for commercial vessels from 250 to 200 hooks and clarifies that individuals fishing for halibut recreationally are limited to 100 hooks both per person and per vessel
NOTICE OF AGENCY RULE-MAKING ADOPTION
AGENCY: Department of Marine Resource
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 34 Groundfish
CONCISE SUMMARY:
This regulation aligns expected halibut catch in Maine’s territorial waters with the state waters
sub-component established in the New England Fishery Management Council’s Framework 69
to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This regulation prohibits fishing for
Atlantic halibut in Maine’s territorial waters on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Maine
halibut season. It also reduces the number of allowable hooks for commercial vessels from 250
to 200 hooks and clarifies that individuals fishing for halibut recreationally are limited to 100
hooks both per person and per vessel.
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER:
(LEAVE BLANK-ASSIGNED BY SECRETARY OF STATE)
EFFECTIVE DATE:
(LEAVE BLANK-ASSIGNED BY SECRETARY OF STATE)
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Deirdre Gilbert
AGENCY NAME:
Department of Marine Resources
ADDRESS:
WEB SITE:
E-MAIL:
TELEPHONE:
FAX:
TTY:
21 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/
dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
(207) 624-6553
(207) 624-6024
(207) 633-9500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)
2025 Compliance Guide
for
Maine State Waters Halibut Fishery Regulations
The document was developed as an alternative to the mandatory training class for first time halibut
fishermen; and as a general guide for all state waters-only fishermen to understand and comply with
the Maine Department of Marine Resources Atlantic halibut regulations.
Please note that this summary applies to fishing activity occurring in Maine territorial waters only
and does not address any vessel with a federal permit (for lobster or Northeast Multispecies, etc.).
Territorial waters include all waters of the State within the rise and fall of the tide seaward to the 3
nautical-mile line. Please refer to NOAA Fisheries for additional information about fishing for
halibut if you hold a federal permit or are fishing for halibut in federal waters. The NOAA
Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Sustainable Fisheries Division can be reached at
(978) 281-9315.
Information for each sector is located on the following pages:
• Recreational (non-Party/Charter) Fishermen—Page 2
• Party/Charter Operators—Page 3
• Commercial Fishermen Without a Federal Groundfish Permit—Page 4
• Frequently Asked Questions—Page 6
• Contact Information —Page 8
For questions or more information, contact your local Marine Patrol officer or Corrin Flora at
corrin.flora@maine.gov or (207) 446-8126. Regulations related to halibut can be found in DMR Chapter
34: Groundfish and Chapter 8: Landings Program, section 8.20F
PHONE: (207) 624-6550
OFFICES AT 32 BLOSSOM LANE, MARQUARDT BUILDING, AUGUSTA, MAINE
Home | Department of Marine Resources
FAX: (20
NOTICE OF AGENCY RULE-MAKING ADOPTION
AGENCY: Department of Marine Resource
CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE: Chapter 34 Groundfish
CONCISE SUMMARY:
This regulation aligns expected halibut catch in Maine’s territorial waters with the state waters
sub-component established in the New England Fishery Management Council’s Framework 69
to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. This regulation prohibits fishing for
Atlantic halibut in Maine’s territorial waters on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the Maine
halibut season. It also reduces the number of allowable hooks for commercial vessels from 250
to 200 hooks and clarifies that individuals fishing for halibut recreationally are limited to 100
hooks both per person and per vessel.
ADOPTED RULE NUMBER:
(LEAVE BLANK-ASSIGNED BY SECRETARY OF STATE)
EFFECTIVE DATE:
(LEAVE BLANK-ASSIGNED BY SECRETARY OF STATE)
AGENCY CONTACT PERSON: Deirdre Gilbert
AGENCY NAME:
Department of Marine Resources
ADDRESS:
WEB SITE:
E-MAIL:
TELEPHONE:
FAX:
TTY:
21 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rulemaking/
dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov
(207) 624-6553
(207) 624-6024
(207) 633-9500 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)