New restrictions on herring fishing could cause problems for Maine lobstermen who bait their traps with herring.

Commercial harvesters are being barred from landing Atlantic herring in the western half of the Gulf of Maine during certain periods this month, a move aimed at averting an early closure of the area.

Patrice McCarron, executive director of the Maine Lobstermen's Association, says herring boats provide most of the bait for Maine lobstermen and supplies are going to be tight this month.

She said lobstermen have access to other sources of bait, such as pogies and redfish, but supplies of those species are too small to make up for a lack of available herring.