US Herring Fishers Score Extra Tons from Canada's Weir Woes
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Rule
Summary
Good news for Atlantic herring fishers! NMFS is boosting the 2025 catch limits by 1,000 metric tons because fewer herring were caught in New Brunswick than expected. This change kicks in November 17 and runs through the end of the year, giving fishers more room to catch and sell herring without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Extra 1,000 mt Catch Limit for 2025
NMFS reallocated 1,000 metric tons (mt) from the management uncertainty buffer to increase the 2025 Atlantic herring annual catch limit (ACL) from 2,710 mt to 3,710 mt and the Area 1A sub-ACL from 783 mt to 1,783 mt. This change is effective November 17, 2025 through December 31, 2025, giving permitted herring fishers more room to catch and sell herring during that period.
Trip Limits If Catch Nears Thresholds
NMFS will use the adjusted ACLs to project landings; if Area 1A catch is projected to reach 92% of the Area 1A sub-ACL, catch from Area 1A will be limited to 2,000 pounds (907.2 kg) per trip per calendar day. If overall herring catch is projected to reach 95% of the ACL, catch in or from all herring management areas will be limited to 2,000 pounds (907.2 kg) per trip per calendar day, effective when projections indicate those thresholds during the remainder of 2025.
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