What/When:
- The 2021/2022 Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) commercial quota for the king mackerel gillnet component is 563,480 pounds (lbs).
- The use of run-around gillnets for king mackerel is restricted to the Gulf southern zone (see map below).
- The commercial harvest reduction is effective with the start of the 2021/2022 fishing season, January 18, 2022.
Why This Reduction is Happening:
- The latest report for 2020/2021 Gulf king mackerel gillnet commercial landings indicates 587,320 lbs were harvested; 11,920 lbs greater than the 2020/2021 quota.
- A commercial post-season accountability measure set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and monitored by NOAA Fisheries requires a reduction in the next fishing year’s quota by the amount of the previous year’s quota overage.
- As a result, the 2021/2022 quota is reduced from 575,400 lbs to 563,480 lbs.
- This action is necessary to protect the king mackerel population and prevent overfishing.
Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Openings and Closures
NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.
Text alerts you may receive include:
- Immediate fishery openings and closures
- Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly
Sign up for one or more of the following groups:
- Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
- Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text CARIBFISH to 888777
Join us every other Friday on NOAA Fish Instagram for Rec Fish Friday!
Other contacts:
Media: Kim Amendola, 727-551-5707
Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750