New Limits Set to Save Overfished Atlantic Mackerel Stocks
Published Date: 4/27/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting April 27, 2026, new rules are in place to help Atlantic mackerel bounce back from being overfished. These changes set fishing limits for 2026 and 2027, tweak management plans, and aim to keep fishing fair and sustainable for fishermen. If you fish mackerel, squid, or butterfish in the Northeast, these updates affect how much you can catch and when.
Free Policy Watch
New rules are filed every week. Most people never see them.
Pick a topic. PRIA watches every federal rule and tells you when one hits your household.
Pick a topic to get started
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Large 2026–2027 Mackerel Quota Increase
The rule raises Atlantic mackerel limits sharply for 2026 and projects higher limits for 2027. For 2026 the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is set at 15,134 metric tons (mt) and the domestic annual harvest (DAH, commercial quota) is 11,237 mt; projected 2027 ABC is 17,107 mt and DAH is 13,210 mt. NMFS notes these 2026 quota increases could provide additional fishing opportunities valued at about $16 million.
Higher Initial Commercial Possession Limits
Starting each year on January 1, federal commercial mackerel permit holders get higher initial trip possession limits. New limits are: Tier 1 limited access = 200,000 lb (90.72 mt); Tier 2 = 135,000 lb (61.23 mt); Tier 3 = 100,000 lb (45.36 mt); Open access Category 4 = 20,000 lb (9.07 mt). The Tier 1 limit replaces a prior unlimited possession condition and the other limits restore pre-October 2023 levels.
Three-Phase In-Season Limit Reductions
NMFS will adjust commercial mackerel possession limits in three phases as the quota is harvested. Phase 1: start of year with initial limits; Phase 2: when 1,100 mt of the DAH remains, limits drop to 20,000 lb (9.07 mt) for limited access vessels and 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) for open access vessels; Phase 3: when 220 mt remains, limits drop to 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) and 2,500 lb (1.13 mt), respectively. NMFS may choose not to implement Phase 3 in November–December if landings are projected to stay under the DAH.
Bigger Recreational Catch Limits
Recreational mackerel possession limits are increased. Private anglers go from 20 fish per person per trip to 25 fish per person per trip. For-hire vessels carrying customers go from 20 fish per person per trip to 50 fish per person per trip (including captain and crew), and for-hire vessels without customers go to 25 fish per person per trip. The change is intended to increase recreational fishing opportunity and help for-hire trip bookings.
Rebuilding Plan Assumption Changed
The rebuilding plan assumption for Atlantic mackerel fishing mortality (F) is revised from 0.12 to 0.15. Under the new assumption, the mackerel stock has a 51-percent probability of rebuilding by 2032 (down from a 61-percent probability under the prior F). NMFS will confirm stock status during the next management track assessment in 2027.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in