Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan regulations require NOAA Fisheries to implement a 2,000-lb possession limit for herring for Area 1B beginning on the date that catch is projected to reach 92 percent of the sub-annual catch limit (ACL) for that area (Figure 1). We have projected that 92 percent of the Area 1B sub-ACL will be harvested as of January 9, 2026. As a result, we are implementing a 2,000-lb herring possession limit for 1B through the remainder of fishing year 2026.
Effective 12:00 hr local time on January 9, 2026 through 24:00 local time, December 31, 2026, a person may not attempt or do any of the following: Fish for, possess, transfer, purchase, receive, land, or sell more than 2,000 lb of herring per trip or more than once per calendar day in or from Area 1B. Vessels that enter port before 12:00 local time on January 9, 2026 may land and sell more than 2,000 lb of herring from Management Area 1B from that trip, provided that catch is landed in accordance with state management measures.
Also effective 12:00 hr local time on January 9, 2026 federally permitted dealers may not attempt or do any of the following: Purchase, receive, possess, have custody or control of, sell, barter, trade, or transfer more than 2,000 lb of herring per trip or calendar day from Area 1B, unless it is from a vessel that enters port before 12:00 hr local time on January 9, 2026 and catch is landed in accordance with state management measures.
Figure 1. Map of Herring Management Areas Highlighting Area 1B.
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
