Mackerel Makeover: New Rules to Keep Atlantic Fish Stocks Swimming Strong
Published Date: 4/27/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting April 27, 2026, new rules are in place to help Atlantic mackerel recover and keep fishing fair and fun. These changes update fishing limits for 2026 and 2027, add new ways to manage the mackerel fishery, and fix some old rules. Fishermen and seafood businesses will get clearer guidelines to protect fish stocks while still catching enough to keep the industry buzzing.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Much-larger 2026–2027 mackerel quotas
The rule raises Atlantic mackerel limits sharply for 2026 and projects even higher limits for 2027. For example, the 2026 domestic annual harvest (DAH, i.e., commercial quota) is set at 11,237 metric tons (up from 868 mt in 2025), and the Atlantic mackerel ABC is set at 15,134 mt for 2026. NMFS estimates the final 2026 commercial quota could provide additional fishing opportunities valued at approximately $16 million if fully harvested.
Higher per-trip commercial possession limits
Beginning each year on January 1, commercial vessels get higher initial mackerel per-trip possession limits by permit type. For example, Tier 1 limited-access vessels can possess 200,000 lb (90.72 mt) per trip, Tier 2 up to 135,000 lb (61.23 mt), Tier 3 up to 100,000 lb (45.36 mt), and open-access Category 4 up to 20,000 lb (9.07 mt).
Three-phase in-season possession limit process
NMFS will manage commercial mackerel possession limits in three phases as catch approaches the commercial quota (DAH). Phase 2 starts when 1,100 mt of the DAH remains and reduces limits to 20,000 lb (9.07 mt) for limited access and 5,000 lb (2.27 mt) for open access vessels; Phase 3 starts when 220 mt remains and reduces limits to 10,000 lb (4.54 mt) and 2,500 lb (1.13 mt) respectively and effectively closes the directed fishery.
Larger recreational mackerel bag limits
Recreational anglers and for-hire operations get bigger mackerel possession limits. Private anglers increase from 20 fish per person per trip to 25 fish per person per trip; for-hire vessels carrying customers increase from 20 fish per person to 50 fish per person per trip (including captains and crew); for-hire vessels without customers increase to 25 fish per person per trip.
Rebuilding plan assumes higher fishing rate
The mackerel rebuilding plan is revised to assume a fishing mortality rate (F) of 0.15 instead of 0.12, which lowers the modelled probability of rebuilding by 2032 from 61 percent to 51 percent. NMFS will confirm stock status in the next management track assessment in 2027.
Illex squid closure threshold set at 96%
The rule corrects a typographical error and sets the directed Illex squid fishery closure threshold at 96 percent of the Illex DAH, rather than 94 percent. When 96 percent of the DAH is projected to be harvested, NMFS will close the directed Illex fishery in the EEZ for the remainder of that fishing period.
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