Atlantic Herring Trips Capped at 2,000 Pounds Through 2026
Published Date: 1/12/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting January 9, 2026, fishermen in Atlantic Herring Management Area 1B can only catch and keep up to 2,000 pounds of herring per trip to avoid overfishing. This temporary limit helps protect herring stocks and keeps the fishery healthy for future years. The rule lasts through December 31, 2026, and affects anyone fishing, selling, or handling herring in Area 1B.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
2,000‑lb Trip Limit for Area 1B
If you fish in Atlantic Herring Management Area 1B, you may not fish for, possess, transfer, purchase, receive, land, or sell more than 2,000 pounds of herring per trip or more than once per calendar day in or from Area 1B. This limit is effective at 12:00 local time on January 9, 2026, and runs through December 31, 2026.
Dealers Limited to 2,000‑lb Receipts
Federally permitted dealers may not purchase, receive, possess, have custody or control of, sell, barter, trade, or transfer more than 2,000 pounds of herring per trip or per calendar day from Area 1B. This dealer restriction is effective from 12:00 local time on January 9, 2026, through 24:00 local time on December 31, 2026.
Grandfathering for Landings Before Jan 9
If your vessel entered port before 12:00 local time on January 9, 2026, you may land and sell more than 2,000 pounds of herring from that trip, provided the catch is landed in accordance with state management measures. This grandfathering applies only to trips that entered port before the effective time.
Transit/Landing Exception If Herring Caught Outside Area 1B
You may transit or land in Area 1B with more than 2,000 pounds of herring on board while the possession limit is in effect if the herring were caught in an area not subject to the 2,000‑lb limit, all fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use, and the vessel has a permit appropriate to the amount on board and the harvest area. This exception is effective from 12:00 local time January 9, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
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