Spanish Mackerel Rules Get Post-Season Check in Gulf
Published Date: 7/22/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
Fishermen and seafood lovers in the Gulf of America will see new rules for catching Spanish mackerel based on fresh science. The annual catch limit is changing, and instead of closing the season early if limits are hit, there’ll be checks after the season ends. These updates aim to keep fish populations healthy while letting folks enjoy the catch, with comments open until August 21, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Shift From In-Season to Post-Season AM
If the stock ACL is exceeded in a fishing year, the proposed rule would change the accountability measure so that in the following fishing year the regional administrator would close commercial and recreational sectors if landings reach or are projected to reach the ACL. The fishing year for Gulf Spanish mackerel is April through March, and this change is intended to rely on more precise post-season landings data and reduce the likelihood of unnecessary in-season closures.
Stock ACL Reduced to 9.630 Million lb
If you fish commercially, operate a for-hire business, or fish recreationally in Federal Gulf waters, the Gulf Spanish mackerel stock ACL would be set to 9.630 million lb (4.368 million kg). The proposed rule describes this as a reduction from 11.3 million lb (5.13 million kg) (and also references an MRIP-FES equivalent value of 14.900 million lb (6.759 million kg)), and the change would apply in the 2025/2026 through 2027/2028 fishing years and subsequent years.
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