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Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Management Plan

Mid-Atlantic

About

The mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region operate primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region of the eastern coast of the United States, from Massachusetts to North Carolina. 

These fisheries use predominantly single and paired mid-water trawl, bottom trawl, purse seine, and to a lesser extent, gillnet gear throughout the entire range. 

Mackerel, squid, and butterfish are jointly managed in federal waters by NOAA Fisheries in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. 

Find out more about Managing Sustainable Fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region.

SAFE Reports

Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports are documents or sets of documents that summarize the best scientific information available for federally managed fish stocks. This includes information concerning the biological condition of stocks and marine ecosystems, essential fish habitat (EFH), and the socioeconomic condition of commercial and recreational fisheries. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that SAFE reports be made available on a publicly accessible website to facilitate use of the information. Mackerel, squid, and butterfish SAFE report documents are available on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's website.

Species Managed

More Information

Actions

Under Development Implemented Actions

Amendment 22 to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

Amendment 22 aims to revise the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan and revise the number and types of Illex squid permits to reduce the negative effects of the race to fish.
Notice
,
Mid-Atlantic
Published
06/07/2022

Framework Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

We propose measures to approve and implement Framework Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. This action proposes to establish a 5-year rebuilding program for Atlantic mackerel, set 2019-2021 Atlant
Proposed Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
06/07/2019

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish; 2018 River Herring and Shad Catch Cap Reached for the Directed

We are reducing the Atlantic mackerel possession limit for Federal limited access Atlantic mackerel permitted vessels based on a projection that the 2018 river herring and shad catch cap for that fishery has been reached. This action is necessary to comp
Notice
Effective
02/27/2018

2023-2025 Specifications for the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

2023-2025 Specifications for the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
07/27/2023

Amendment 23 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

Amendment 23 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
02/01/2023

Interim Rule to Implement 2022 Atlantic Mackerel Specifications

This action implements the 2022 commercial catch limit of 4,963 mt for Atlantic mackerel permit holders for the 2022 fishing year.
Interim Rule
,
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
01/07/2022

2021 Illex Squid Quota Harvested

Federal Illex squid vessel permit holders are prohibited from fishing for, catching, possessing, transferring or landing more than 10,000 lb of Illex squid per trip, and from landing Illex squid more than once per calendar day effective August 30, 2021.
Temporary Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
08/30/2021

Final Rule for 2021-2023 Specifications to Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fisheries

Final Rule for 2021-2023 Specifications to Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fisheries, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
07/22/2021

Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

Final Rule to Implement Amendment 21 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
Final Rule
,
Mid-Atlantic
Published
08/04/2020

2020 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Specifications

This action sets 2020 fishing year quotas in the Atlantic mackerel, longfin squid, Illex squid, and butterfish fisheries, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Final Rule
,
New England
Published
02/27/2020

Framework Adjustment 13 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

A November 2017 benchmark assessment determined that the Atlantic mackerel stock was overfished and subject to overfishing. The Council will review the Atlantic mackerel specifications each year and will consider the results of a management track stock as
Final Rule
,
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
11/29/2019

2019 Illex Squid Quota Harvested

Beginning August 21, 2019, through December 31, 2019, Federal Illex squid vessel permit holders are prohibited from fishing for, catching, possessing, transferring or landing more than 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) of Illex squid per trip, and from landing I
Temporary Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
08/21/2019

Squid and Butterfish Fisheries Specifications for 2019

NOAA Fisheries revises Illex squid specifications and maintains previously approved longfin squid and butterfish specifications for the 2019 fishing year. This action is necessary to specify catch levels for the Illex squid fishery based on updated inform
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
08/01/2019

2019 River Herring and Shad Catch Cap Reached for the Directed Atlantic Mackerel Commercial Fishery

We are reducing the Atlantic mackerel possession limit for federal limited access Atlantic mackerel permitted vessels based on a projection that the 2019 river herring and shad catch cap for that fishery has been reached. This action is necessary to co
Temporary Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
03/12/2019

Amendment 20 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries approves and implements through regulations measures included in Amendment 20 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan, as adopted by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This action is necessary to pr
Final Rule
,
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
03/01/2019

Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries approves and implements Framework Adjustment 12 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. This rule allows the possession of Atlantic mackerel after of the domestic annual harvest is projected to be caught
Final Rule
,
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Effective
12/20/2018

Illex Squid Directed Fishery Closure: Effective August 15, 2018

Beginning August 15, 2018, through December 31, 2018, Federal Illex squid vessel permit holders are prohibited from fishing for, catching, possessing, transferring or landing more than 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) on Illex squid per trip per calendar day. This pr
Temporary Rule
Effective
08/15/2018

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Specifications

We implement longfin squid, Illex squid, and butterfish specifications for the 2018 fishing year and projected specifications for fishing years 2019 and 2020. This action is necessary to specify catch levels for the squid and butterfish fisheries based
Final Rule
Effective
04/02/2018

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on 08/31/2023