Fishery Council Weighs Herring Limits to Protect River Fish
Published Date: 11/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a webinar on November 17, 2026, to review new ways to protect river herring and shad by possibly setting fishing limits and area closures for Atlantic herring. This meeting affects fishermen and communities relying on these fish and aims to balance fishing with conservation. The Council will use expert advice to decide if and how to update fishing rules, helping keep fish populations healthy without hurting the fishing economy.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Potential Time/Area Closures for Herring
On November 17, 2026, the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee subpanel will review methods to evaluate and potentially establish time and area closures for the Atlantic herring fishery in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to reduce catches of river herring and shad. If implemented, these closures would limit when and where Atlantic herring can be fished.
Review of River Herring/Shad Catch Caps
The subpanel will consider background information including the performance of the current river herring and shad catch caps in the Atlantic herring fishery as part of its November 17, 2026 review. That review could inform future changes to catch caps that limit incidental catch of river herring and shad by the herring fishery.
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