# 2026-03504: New Rules Tweak How Much Mackerel Fishermen Catch

2026-03504, Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Revised 2026 Atlantic Mackerel Specifications, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-02-23, effective 2026-02-23 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03504
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-03504
- Title: Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Revised 2026 Atlantic Mackerel Specifications
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 8386
- Published: 2026-02-23
- Effective: 2026-02-23
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

New Rules Tweak How Much Mackerel Fishermen Catch

## Summary

Starting February 23, 2026, new rules change how much Atlantic mackerel fishermen can catch to help the fish population grow stronger. These updates affect fishermen and fishery managers in the Northeast and aim to keep the mackerel supply healthy and steady. You’ve got until March 25, 2026, to share your thoughts on these changes!

## Abstract

NMFS is adjusting the specifications for the 2026 Atlantic mackerel fishery to reflect the results of an updated mackerel management track stock assessment. This in-season action is intended to continue rebuilding the mackerel stock, help the mackerel fishery achieve optimum yield, and ensure that management measures are based on the best scientific information available.

## Effects PRIA read

- Big Increase in 2026 Commercial Quota: benefit, high. If you fish commercially for Atlantic mackerel, the 2026 domestic commercial quota (DAH) increases from 868 metric tons (mt) in 2025 to 6,817 mt effective February 23, 2026. The allowable biological catch (ABC) rises from 3,200 mt to 10,714 mt and the commercial annual catch target increases from 9…
- Higher Recreational Catch Deduction: mixed, medium. The 2026 recreational catch deduction is set at 2,500 mt, which is 17 percent higher than in 2025, and is included in the February 23, 2026 specifications. That deduction reduces the amount of the ABC available for commercial harvest because the recreational catch is subtracted when calculating com…
- New Management Buffer to Prevent Overages: benefit, medium. A 610-mt management uncertainty buffer is added for 2026 (up from 0 in 2025) to help ensure the commercial fishery can be closed in time and prevent overages; estimated commercial discards for 2026 are set at 287 mt (up from 115 mt). These measures are effective February 23, 2026.

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## Sources
- [2026-03504 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/23/2026-03504/fisheries-of-the-northeastern-united-states-revised-2026-atlantic-mackerel-specifications)
- [2026-03504 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-23/pdf/2026-03504.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-03503, Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03503)
- [Next: 2026-03507, Comprehensive Fishery Management Plans for Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. Thom…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03507)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03504 (as of 2026-06-11).