September 23, 2026 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council met from September 15-17, 2026, in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The following is a summary of actions taken, updates, and other business affecting multiple Fishery Management Plans. Meeting materials, motions, and the meeting audio recordings will be available on the September 2026 meeting page.
COUNCIL ELECTS LEADERSHIP; WELCOMES NEWEST MEMBER
The Council opened its September 2026 meeting with the annual election of officers. The Council reelected Daniel Salerno (New Hampshire) as Chair and Melanie Griffin (Massachusetts) as Vice Chair. The Council filled the three remaining Executive Committee seats by electing Megan Ware (Maine), Michael Pierdinock (Massachusetts), and Jackie Odell (Massachusetts) from a slate of five candidates.
The Council also welcomed its newest voting member, Kirby Aarsheim (Massachusetts), who took the Oath of Office and committed to a three-year term.A partner at Farrell Smith O’Connell Aarsheim Aprans LLP, Aarsheim brings a lifetime of commercial fishing experience and expertise in fisheries management. She has served on the Council’s Sea Scallop and Enforcement Advisory Panels and remains active in regional maritime policy, including leadership roles with the American Bar Association’s Admiralty & Maritime Law Committee and the Propeller Club Port of Boston. She is also a commercial scallop vessel owner in New Bedford.Returning members Daniel Salerno, Terry Alexander (Maine) and Jackie Odell (Massachusetts) were also sworn in for new three-year terms. Council member bios are available here.
HERRING SPECIFICATIONS APPROVED; LEVELS REMAIN LOW
The Council took final action to set Atlantic herring specifications for fishing years 2027–2031. The Council voted to set annual catch limits (ACL) at 6,926 metric tons, a 24% decrease from the 2026 level of 9,134 mt, and at a constant level for each year (2027-2031). The Council recognized the potential for continued negative economic impacts on the fishing industry. The decision factored in the results of the 2026 stock assessment and peer review, the Council’s Risk Policy, recommendations from the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Herring Committee, with input from the Advisory Panel and Plan Development Team. The Council also discussed a separate action that would modify River Herring and Shad Management through an amendment as part of a multi-year priority. The current river herring and shad catch caps will remain at status quo levels while this work continues.