November 19, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Management Board members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts met November 19 via webinar to set effort control measures for the 2025 Area 1A fishery for Season 2 (October 1 – December 31) following an increase in available quota for Area 1A. The 2025 Area 1A sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) is now 1,783 metric tons (mt) due to the reallocation of 1,000 mt to the Area 1A sub-ACL based on catch information from the Canadian New Brunswick weir fishery.
After accounting for the fixed gear set-aside, 2025 landings so far from Area 1A, and the 8% buffer (Area 1A closes at 92% of the sub-ACL), there are an estimated 632 metric tons available for harvest.
Currently, the Area 1A fishery is at zero landing days. The days out measures moving forward for Season 2 are as follows:
- Landing days will continue to be set at zero (0) through Sunday, November 23.
- The fishery will move to two (2) consecutive landing days starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 24 until 92% of the Area 1A sub-ACL has been caught. Landing days will be Mondays from 12:01 a.m. through Tuesdays at 11:59 p.m., weekly.
While landing days are set at zero (0), harvesters are prohibited from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per trip from Area 1A. Fishing for and possession of Atlantic herring may begin prior to landing days during Season 2.
For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atefranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.
Days Out Meeting Motions (November 19, 2025)
Move to set the following schedule for Area 1A Season 2:
- Set zero landing days through Sunday, November 23.
- Starting 12:01AM on Monday, November 24, move to two consecutive landing days per week until 92% of the Area 1A sub-ACL has been caught. Landing days would be Monday-Tuesday.
Motion made by Ms. Ware and seconded by Mr. Abbott. Motion passes by unanimous consent.
The press release is also available at https://asmfc.org/news/press-releases/atlantic-herring-area-1a-fishery-season-2-days-out-measures-november-2025/