Atlantic Herring Management Area 1A Possession Limit Adjustment

As of 00:01 hr local time on August 7, 2025, through December 31, 2025, no one may 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 1A (Figure 1). If the proposed rule revising the 2025-2027 specifications becomes final, this 2,000 lb trip limit would be lifted until 92 percent of the adjusted Area 1A sub-ACL is projected to be caught.

Vessels that have entered port before 00:01 hr local time on August 7, 2025, may land and sell more than 2,000 lb of herring from Management Area 1A from that trip, provided that catch is landed in accordance with state management measures. While this possession limit is in place, vessels may transit or land in Area 1A with more than 2,000 lb of herring on board, provided that: The herring were caught in an area not subject to a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) limit, all fishing gear is stowed and not available for immediate use, and the vessel is issued a permit appropriate to the amount of herring on board and the area where the herring was harvested.

Also effective 00:01 hr local time on August 7, 2025, 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 (907.2 kg) of herring per trip or calendar day from Area 1A, unless it is from a vessel that enters port before 00:01 hr local time on August 7, 2025, and catch is landed in accordance with state management measures.

Figure 1. Map of Herring Management Areas Highlighting Area 1A.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.