West Coast Sets New Pacific Mackerel Catch Limits for 2025-2027
Published Date: 8/25/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Starting July 2025, new fishing limits for Pacific mackerel off the West Coast will help keep the fish population healthy. Fishermen will have specific catch limits for two years, with the fishery closing if they hit those limits to protect the species. These rules balance fishing opportunities and conservation, affecting anyone who catches or sells Pacific mackerel through mid-2027.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Two-Year Catch Limits and Closures
Starting July 1, 2025, Pacific mackerel annual catch targets (ACT) are set at 8,143 metric tons for July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 and 9,448 metric tons for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. If the fishery reaches the ACT in either year, the directed Pacific mackerel fishery will close for that fishing year.
1,000‑mt Set‑Aside for Incidental Landings
For each fishing year the rule reserves a 1,000‑metric‑ton difference between the harvest guideline and the ACT as a set‑aside for incidental landings in other coastal pelagic species (CPS) fisheries and other sources of mortality. That 1,000 mt is held aside instead of being available to the directed Pacific mackerel fishery.
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Key Dates
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