NMFS is closing the directed fishery for Atlantic herring in Herring Management Area 1A, based on a projection that a prescribed trigger for that area has been reached. Federally permitted vessels may not fish for, possess, transfer, receive, land, or sell more than an incidental amount of Atlantic herring in or from Area 1A through December 31, 2016, and federally permitted dealers may not purchase more than this incidental amount of herring from federally permitted vessels for the duration of this action. This action is necessary to comply with the regulations implementing the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and is intended to prevent over harvest in Area 1A.