Key Message:
- Effective January 6, 2023, the 2022/2023 Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) commercial quota for the king mackerel gillnet component is 634,222 pounds (lbs).
- The use of run-around gillnets for king mackerel is restricted to the Gulf southern zone (see map below).
- The harvest reduction is effective for the 2022/2023 commercial run-around gillnet fishing season, which opens January 17, 2023.
Why This Reduction is Happening:
- The latest report for 2021/2022 Gulf king mackerel gillnet commercial landings indicates 594,362 lbs were harvested; 18,962 lbs greater than the 2021/2022 quota.
- A commercial post-season accountability measure set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and approved 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 2022/2023 quota is reduced from 653,184 lbs to 634,222 lbs.
- This action is necessary to protect the king mackerel population and prevent overfishing.
