2024-2026 Specifications for the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
Summary
This rule approves and implements the 2024-2026 specifications for the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP), as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This final rule sets the 2024 Illex and longfin squid specifications, and projects the 2025 Illex and 2025-2026 longfin squid specifications. This rule also reaffirms the 2024 butterfish and Atlantic chub mackerel specifications and the previously published projected 2025 chub mackerel specifications. These specifications establish allowable harvest levels that will prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information.