CONTACT:
Renee Zobel: 603-868-1095
Emilie Franke: 703-842-0740
September 23, 2026
Durham, NH – On September 21, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Management Board (the Management Board) set the ‘Days Out’ for the Season 2 period (October 1–December 31) via conference call. The 2026 Area 1A allowable catch that remains for the Season 2 period is approximately 2,075 metric tons.
The days out measures for Season 2 are as follows:
- Landing days will be set at zero from October 1 through October 11.
- Landing days will be set at two from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, October 12, to 11:59 pm on Tuesday, October 13.
- Landing days will be set at zero from October 14 through November 8.
- Landing days will be set at four per week beginning 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 9. Landing days will be Mondays from 12:01 am through Thursdays at 11:59 p.m.
These restrictions will remain in effect until 92% of the Total Allowable Catch in Area 1A is projected to be exceeded, or until further amended.
Atlantic herring harvesters and dealers should also be aware that the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area, which includes areas within the jurisdiction of New Hampshire, will be closed from 12:01 a.m. on September 23 through 11:59 p.m. on November 3 (pursuant to Fis 603.07). It is unlawful to fish for, take, or possess unprocessed herring during this closure.
An exception to the rule is that any vessel may land herring taken as an incidental catch in the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Spawning Area or in Management Area 1A, up to a maximum of 2,000 pounds per calendar day. This does not prevent the landing of Atlantic herring taken from an area not under a closure or restriction provided the vessel is equipped with a functional vessel monitoring system.
This spawning closure may be extended by the Executive Director of the Management Board if results of the herring samples collected at the end of the closure indicate spawning is ongoing.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission coordinates the conservation and management of the 15 Atlantic coast states’ shared near-shore fishery resources—marine, shell, and anadromous—for sustainable use. Visit www.asmfc.org to learn more.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. The Department’s Marine Fisheries Division is located in Durham, NH. Visit www.wildnh.com/marine.