New 2026 Limits Set for Chub Mackerel and Illex Squid Fisheries
Published Date: 3/16/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is setting new fishing limits for chub mackerel and Illex squid in 2026 to keep fish populations healthy, while keeping the same rules for longfin squid and butterfish. These changes affect fishermen and seafood businesses along the Northeastern U.S. coast and aim to prevent overfishing based on the latest science. Public comments are open until April 15, 2026, so everyone can share their thoughts before the rules are finalized.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Chub Mackerel Limits Stay Same
NMFS proposes to keep chub mackerel specifications unchanged for 2026 and projected 2027-2028: ABC 2,300 metric tons (mt), ACL 2,262 mt, ACT 2,171 mt, and TAL 2,041 mt. Commercial fishermen and seafood businesses that target chub mackerel would see no change to allowable harvest levels under these proposed specifications.
Illex Squid ABC and Set-Aside Kept
NMFS proposes to maintain Illex squid specifications for 2026 and projected 2027-2028, including an ABC of 40,000 mt, a commercial discard set-aside of 1,369 mt (3.42%), IOY 38,631 mt, and DAH/DAP 38,631 mt. Commercial Illex squid fishery participants would continue to operate under these same harvest and set-aside levels.
Longfin Squid Specs Reaffirmed for 2026
NMFS announces intent to reaffirm projected 2026 longfin squid specifications: ABC 23,400 mt and IOY/DAH 22,893.70 mt, with trimester quota allocations of 43% (9,844.30 mt) for Jan–Apr, 17% (3,891.90 mt) for May–Aug, and 40% (9,157.50 mt) for Sep–Dec. Businesses in the longfin squid fishery would continue to operate under these same allocations for 2026.
Butterfish Specs Reduced but Likely Non-Limiting
NMFS would reaffirm reduced 2026 butterfish specifications: ABC/ACL/ACT decrease by 19 percent and DAH decreases by 29 percent relative to 2025 (reaffirmed 2026 ABC/ACL/ACT = 13,842 mt; DAH = 8,051 mt). NMFS states recent commercial landings (2019–2024) were only 6.2–24.5 percent of DAH (718–3,442 mt), so these reductions are not expected to be limiting for the fishery.
No Significant Small-Business Impact Certified
The agency certified the proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In 2024 there were 1,650 active Federal commercial mackerel, squid, and butterfish permits held by about 1,241 entities, and 1,232 of those entities qualify as small businesses under the $11 million annual gross receipts standard.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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