This bulletin summarizes the federal permit requirements for owners/operators of commercial and party/charter vessels that possess Atlantic mackerel as bait in federal waters.
NOAA Fisheries is reducing per-trip catch limits to reduce the likelihood of overfishing and to reduce catch until the 2024 specifications are implemented, effective October 12, 2023.
This action extends the rule that implements the 2022 commercial catch limit of 4,963 mt for Atlantic mackerel permit holders through January 13, 2023.
This final rule reaffirms the previously approved 2022 fishing year quotas in the chub mackerel, longfin squid, Illex squid, and butterfish fisheries, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
This action reduces the Atlantic herring quotas for 2021-2023 as compared to 2020, and modifies in-season management measures to allow the Atlantic herring fleet more access to the Atlantic mackerel fishery.