Framework Adjustment 16 to the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan

This action establishes a five-year rebuilding plan and includes measures to implement 2019–2021 Atlantic mackerel specifications and a revised river herring and shad catch cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery. Effective date: November 29, 2019.

NOAA Fisheries is reducing the Atlantic mackerel commercial quota and trip limits to ensure stock rebuilds, effective April 12, 2024.

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

Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Atka mackerel are on a biennial stock assessment schedule to coincide with the availability of new survey data from the biennial trawl survey.

NOAA Fisheries is closing the commercial mackerel fishery in federal waters, effective December 6, through December 31, 2024.

Environmental Assessment of an amendment that would divide the Atka mackerel TAC, reduce the percentage of Atka mackerel TAC harvested from Steller sea lion critical habit, and extend the seasonal no-trawl zone in the Aleutian Islands Eastern District.

Map depicts the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Bottom Trawling Restricted Areas in the Greater Atlantic Region.

A small incidental catch (5,000 lb) of Atlantic mackerel will be allowed after 100 percent of the commercial quota is caught.

Pacific mackerel harvest specifications for the fishing seasons 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. Catch levels, an overfishing limit, allowable biological catch, and an annual catch limit.

NOAA Fisheries is implementing 2024-2026 specifications for Illex squid, longfin squid, butterfish, and Atlantic chub mackerel, effective August 22, 2024.

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.

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.

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