Mass Fishermen Get Special Pass to Break the Rules for Science
Published Date: 5/4/2026
Notice
Summary
Fishing boats with federal permits might get special permission to fish in places and ways usually not allowed, thanks to a new application from Massachusetts. This lets them try out new fishing methods for research, especially in spring and summer. If you want to share your thoughts, you have until May 19, 2026, to speak up—no money changes yet, just a chance to test and learn!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Temporary catch allowance for 3 vessels
If you operate a federally permitted fishing vessel and join this Massachusetts research project, up to 3 vessels would be allowed to retain a combined total of 3,000 adult Atlantic herring (about 970 lb / 440.4 kg) from five spawning grounds. Sampling trips would occur in spring (April–May) and fall (August–November) across about 15 trips.
Permitted use of otherwise restricted gear
The EFP would let participating vessels use gear that is normally restricted: midwater trawl gear in Area 1A during June–September, small-mesh bottom trawl gear in Gulf of Maine (GOM) and Georges Bank (GB) Regulated Mesh Areas, and small-mesh bottom trawl in GOM Cod Protection Closure Areas during April–November (excluding year‑round groundfish closed areas). These gear permissions are only for the specified sampling trips.
Monitoring coverage may be non-representative
The application requests an exemption from parts of the monitoring rules (Sec. 648.11 except Sec. 648.11(m)(2)), meaning sampling trips would be non-representative of the herring fishery and could negatively affect Northeast Fisheries Observer Program data quality. Participating vessels would still have to submit pre-trip notifications.
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