Atlantic Mackerel
About the Species
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic mackerel is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
![Population Status Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/species--fish-population.png)
Population
The stock is overfished, but the fishing rate established under a rebuilding plan promotes population growth.
![Fishing Status Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/species--fish-status.png)
Fishing Rate
Not subject to overfishing.
![Habitat Impacts Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/species--habitat.png)
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest Atlantic mackerel have minimal impacts on habitat.
![Bycatch Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/species--bycatch.png)
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Population Status
- According to the 2023 stock assessment, Atlantic mackerel is overfished but not subject to overfishing. Summary stock assessment information can be found on Stock SMART.
Appearance
- Atlantic mackerel are iridescent blue green on the back with a silvery white underbelly.
- They have 20 to 30 wavy black bars that run across the top half of their body, and a narrow dark streak that runs below these bars along each side.
- Their body is spindle-shaped, tapering at both ends.
- Their two large dorsal fins are gray or dusky. The pectoral fins are black or dusky at the base, and the tail fin is gray or dusky.
- Their distinctive coloring fades quickly after they die.
Biology
- Atlantic mackerel grow fast, up to 16 ½ inches and 2.2 pounds.
- They can live up to 20 years and are able to reproduce by the time they reach age 2 to 3.
- There are two major spawning groups of Atlantic mackerel in the western Atlantic:
- The southern group spawns primarily in the Mid-Atlantic Bight from April to May.
- The northern group spawns in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in June and July.
- Both groups typically spawn 10 to 30 miles off shore.
- Depending on their size, females can have between 285,000 and almost 2 million eggs. They release their eggs in batches, between five and seven times throughout the spawning season.
- Eggs generally float in the surface water and hatch in 4 to 7 ½ days, depending on water temperature.
- Atlantic mackerel feed heavily on crustaceans such as copepods, krill, and shrimp. They also eat squid, as well as some fish and ascidians (sac-like marine invertebrate filter feeders).
- Several species of fish and marine mammals eat Atlantic mackerel.
Where They Live
Range
- Atlantic mackerel are found on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, including in the Baltic Sea. In the western Atlantic, they’re found from Labrador to North Carolina.
Habitat
- Atlantic mackerel are common in cold and temperate waters over the continental shelf. They swim in schools near the surface, and travel to and from spawning and summering grounds.
Fishery Management
- NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the Atlantic mackerel fishery.
- Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan:
- Mackerel are managed in federal waters. There are no state management measures for mackerel.
- Managed using annual catch limits allocated between the commercial and recreational fisheries.
- Managers monitor commercial catch on a weekly basis and will close the fisheries if the limits are reached before the fishing season is over.
- Fishermen must have a permit to harvest Atlantic mackerel.
- Managers limit the amount of available permits to control harvests.
- Under a limited access program, permits are issued to qualifying fishermen, dividing fishermen into three tiers based on their past participation in the fishery. This program is designed to reduce the fishing capacity of the mackerel fleet while allowing qualified vessels to continue fishing for mackerel at their historical or recent level of participation.
- A rebuilding plan to rebuild the stock to the target population level is in place with a target date of 2024.
Harvest
- Commercial fishery:
- In 2022, commercial landings of Atlantic mackerel totaled 4 million pounds and were valued at $1.1 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database. Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maine harvested the majority.
- The U.S. commercial fishery for Atlantic mackerel operates primarily between January and May in southern New England and Mid-Atlantic coastal waters and between May and December in the Gulf of Maine.
- Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
- Fishermen harvest mackerel in large volumes using mid-water trawls.
- Although mid-water trawls have minimal impact on habitat, they can incidentally catch marine mammals such as short- and long-finned pilot whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins.
- The Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Strategy provides measures to reduce potential impacts of bycatch. These include outreach to educate fishermen about actions to take in the event of a marine mammal interaction and efforts to communicate interaction hotspots to fishermen in real time. It also contains voluntary measures concerning fishing practices, such as reducing tow times and limiting turns while fishing.
- The mackerel fishery has some incidental catch of river herring and shad. A cap was established in 2014 to limit river herring and shad catch in the mackerel fishery.
- Recreational fishery:
- Mackerel are important to recreational fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions, with the highest landings occurring from Massachusetts and Maine.
- In 2022, recreational harvest of Atlantic mackerel totaled 3 million pounds, according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database.
- The recreational mackerel fishery is open all year, with a catch limit set annually at the same time as commercial limits.
Scientific Classification
- Atlantic mackerel are found on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, including in the Baltic Sea. In the western Atlantic, they’re found from Labrador to North Carolina.
- Atlantic mackerel are common in cold and temperate waters over the continental shelf. They swim in schools near the surface, and travel to and from spawning and summering grounds.
Fishery Management
- NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the Atlantic mackerel fishery.
- Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan:
- Mackerel are managed in federal waters. There are no state management measures for mackerel.
- Managed using annual catch limits allocated between the commercial and recreational fisheries.
- Managers monitor commercial catch on a weekly basis and will close the fisheries if the limits are reached before the fishing season is over.
- Fishermen must have a permit to harvest Atlantic mackerel.
- Managers limit the amount of available permits to control harvests.
- Under a limited access program, permits are issued to qualifying fishermen, dividing fishermen into three tiers based on their past participation in the fishery. This program is designed to reduce the fishing capacity of the mackerel fleet while allowing qualified vessels to continue fishing for mackerel at their historical or recent level of participation.
- A rebuilding plan to rebuild the stock to the target population level is in place with a target date of 2024.
Harvest
- Commercial fishery:
- In 2022, commercial landings of Atlantic mackerel totaled 4 million pounds and were valued at $1.1 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database. Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maine harvested the majority.
- The U.S. commercial fishery for Atlantic mackerel operates primarily between January and May in southern New England and Mid-Atlantic coastal waters and between May and December in the Gulf of Maine.
- Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch:
- Fishermen harvest mackerel in large volumes using mid-water trawls.
- Although mid-water trawls have minimal impact on habitat, they can incidentally catch marine mammals such as short- and long-finned pilot whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, and common dolphins.
- The Atlantic Trawl Gear Take Reduction Strategy provides measures to reduce potential impacts of bycatch. These include outreach to educate fishermen about actions to take in the event of a marine mammal interaction and efforts to communicate interaction hotspots to fishermen in real time. It also contains voluntary measures concerning fishing practices, such as reducing tow times and limiting turns while fishing.
- The mackerel fishery has some incidental catch of river herring and shad. A cap was established in 2014 to limit river herring and shad catch in the mackerel fishery.
- Recreational fishery:
- Mackerel are important to recreational fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions, with the highest landings occurring from Massachusetts and Maine.
- In 2022, recreational harvest of Atlantic mackerel totaled 3 million pounds, according to the NOAA Fisheries recreational fishing landings database.
- The recreational mackerel fishery is open all year, with a catch limit set annually at the same time as commercial limits.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Chordata | Class | Actinopterygii | Order | Scombriformes | Family | Scombridae | Genus | Scomber | Species | scombrus |
---|
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
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Related Species
Recreational Fishing Regulations
The following federal regulations apply to:
- Private anglers.
- Anglers and crew on for-hire vessels.
- Any vessel that doesn’t possess a commercial Atlantic mackerel permit.
- Anglers using Atlantic mackerel as bait to catch other recreational species (e.g., striped bass, tuna).
State recreational fishing regulations may differ from federal regulations. Please consult with your state to determine its regulations. When federal and state regulations both apply, vessels are bound by the most restrictive possession.
Possession Limit
20 fish per person.
For example, if a for-hire vessel was carrying 4 paying anglers and 2 crew, the vessel could possess a total of 120 mackerel.
Fish Size Limits
None.
Fishing Season
All year.
Charter/Party Fishing
If you are on a trip carrying paying customers and you fish for mackerel in federal waters, you must hold a Category 2 Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish Charter Party permit. This includes trips where you are targeting other species (e.g., striped bass, tuna) and also catching mackerel to use as bait.
If the recreational possession limit is limiting for your business practices and you cannot stay within the 20 fish per person limit when fishing for mackerel as bait, please contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315 to discuss additional permit options.
Reporting A Recreational Catch
Catch Reporting and Vessel Trip Reports (VTR)
For all charter/party permit holders, VTRs must be maintained on board the vessel and submitted to NOAA Fisheries for all fishing trips, regardless of species retained. Instructions for completing the VTR can be found online on our reporting page.
eVTRs
Charter/Party vessel permit owners and operators with a federal charter/party (for-hire) permit to fish for Atlantic mackerel (and other Mid-Atlantic species) must submit the required VTR by electronic means through a software application approved by NOAA Fisheries. These electronic log VTRs must be submitted within 48 hours after entering port at the conclusion of a trip. More information of the eVTR requirements and help with electronic reporting can be found online on our reporting page.
Other Reporting Information
The recreational (charter/party) Atlantic mackerel fishery does not have any Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), or specific observer requirements. However, all federally permitted vessels are obligated to carry an observer if randomly selected by the National Observer Program.
Reporting is not required for the private recreational fishery, but the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) is a system of voluntary coordinated data collection programs designed to estimate recreational catch and effort.
More Information
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
Commercial Fishing Regulations
Specifications
2024 Atlantic mackerel specifications were implemented through the final rule implementing 2024 and projected 2025 specifications for the mackerel fishery, effective April 12, 2024.
2024 Mackerel Specifications
Specification | Metric Tons (mt) |
U.S. Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC)/Annual Catch Limit (ACL) | 3,200 |
Canadian Catch Deduction | 74 |
Recreational Catch Deduction | 2,143 |
Commercial Discards | 115 |
Commercial Quota | 868 |
Possession Limits
Mackerel possession limits were initially reduced to incidental levels through a temporary rule to reduce 2023 Atlantic mackerel catch (effective October 12, 2023). The final rule implementing 2024 and projected 2025 specifications for the mackerel fishery (effective April 12, 2024) maintained these incidental possession limits.
2024 Mackerel Possession Limits
Permit Category | Permit Type | Possession Limit |
Tier 1 | Limited Access | 20,000 lb |
Tier 2 | Limited Access | 20,000 lb |
Tier 3 | Limited Access | 20,000 lb |
SMB 4 | Open Access | 5,000 lb |
Fish Size Limits
None.
Accountability Measures
When NOAA Fisheries projects that 80 percent of the domestic annual harvest (DAH) has been harvested in a given fishing year, mackerel possession limits will be further reduced for the remainder of that fishing year.
Mackerel Accountability Measures
Permit Type | Percent DAH Harvested | Mackerel Possession Limit (lb) |
Limited Access Mackerel Permits (T1, T2, T3) | 80% | 10,000 |
Open Access Mackerel Permits (Category 4) | 80% | 2,500 |
Commercial overage repayment: If the mackerel ACL is exceeded by the commercial fishery, then the exact amount of the overage will be deducted from the commercial DAH as a single year adjustment between March 31 and May 1 of the following year.
Recreational overage repayment: If the recreational fishery landings are responsible for the overage, then landings in overage the RHL will be deducted from the RHL in the following year.
Non-landings overage repayment: If the mackerel ACL is exceeded, and the overage has not been accommodated through other landing-based accountability measures, but is attributable to either the commercial or recreational sector (such as research quota overages, dead discards in excess of those otherwise accounted for in management uncertainty, or other non-landing overages), then the exact amount, in pounds, by which the sector ACT was exceeded will be deducted from the following year.
Regulated, Closed, and Access Areas
Regulated Mesh Areas
Northeast multispecies regulations include four regulated mesh areas (RMAs) that regulate which gear can be used in each of the following areas: Gulf of Maine (GOM), Georges Bank (GB), Southern New England (SNE), and Mid-Atlantic (MA).
Exemption Areas
For more information about fishing in exemption areas, please see the Atlantic Mackerel Exempted Fishing webpage.
Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Restricted Areas
Oceanographer Canyon | Lydonia Canyon | Northern Scup Gear Restricted Area (GRA) | Southern Scup Gear Restricted Area (GRA) |
January 1 – December 31 | January 1 – December 31 | November 1 – December 31 | January 1 – March 15 |
Bottom trawl gear prohibited | Bottom trawl gear prohibited | Minimum mesh size of 5.0 inch diamond mesh | Minimum mesh size of 5.0 inch diamond mesh |
Transit allowed if bottom trawl gear is stowed and not available for immediate use. | Transit allowed if bottom trawl gear is stowed and not available for immediate use. | Transit allowed if codends less than 5.0 inches are stowed and not available for immediate use. | Transit allowed if codends less than 5.0 inches are stowed and not available for immediate use. |
Oceanographer and Lydonia Canyons
Oceanographer Canyon Coordinates
N. Lat. | W. Long. |
40°10.0' | 68°12.0' |
40°24.0' | 68°09.0' |
40°24.0' | 68°08.0' |
40°10.0' | 67°59.0' |
40°10.0' | 68°12.0' |
Lydonia Canyon Coordinates
N. Lat. | W. Long. |
40°16.0' | 67°34.0' |
40°16.0' | 67°42.0' |
40°20.0' | 67°43.0' |
40°27.0' | 67°40.0' |
40°27.0' | 67°38.0' |
40°16.0' | 67°34.0' |
Scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRA)
Southern GRA |
| Northern GRA | ||
N. lat. | W. long. | N. lat. | W. long. | |
39°20' | 72°53' | 41°00' | 71°00' | |
39°20' | 72°28' | 41°00' | 71°30' | |
38°00' | 73°58' | 40°00' | 72°40' | |
37°00' | 74°43' | 40°00' | 72°05' | |
36°30' | 74°43' | 41°00' | 71°00' | |
36°30' | 75°03' |
|
| |
37°00' | 75°03' |
|
| |
38°00' | 74°23' |
|
| |
39°20' | 72°53' |
|
|
Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral Protection Areas
Reporting A Commercial Catch
What are the requirements for slipped catch?
Vessels carrying an observer with a limited access Atlantic mackerel (Tier 1, 2, and 3) and/or a longfin squid/butterfish moratorium permit cannot slip their catch except for one of the following reasons: 1) safety concern; 2) mechanical failure, including gear damage; or 3) excessive catch of spiny dogfish. For vessels carrying an observer with a limited access Atlantic mackerel permit, if catch is slipped for one of the reasons listed above, the vessel operator must move and remain 15 nautical miles from where the slippage event occurred.
If the catch was slipped for any other reason, the vessel operator must immediately terminate the fishing trip and return to port. A slippage event can include the release of fish from a codend or seine prior to completion of pumping or the release of an entire catch or bag while the catch is still in the water. Vessels with a limited access Atlantic mackerel and/or a longfin squid limited access permit must complete, sign, and submit a Released Catch Affidavit following any slippage event.
Via the VMS, vessels must also complete the Atlantic mackerel and longfin squid daily catch report to report a slippage event. Vessels with a limited access Atlantic mackerel permit must complete the daily catch report at the time of the slippage event and before moving 15 nautical miles or returning to port.
Commercial Reporting
Catch Reporting and Vessel Trip Reports
Owner/operators participating in the Atlantic mackerel, Illex squid, and Longfin squid/butterfish must submit trip reports weekly. Reports must be postmarked or received by midnight of the Tuesday following the reporting week (Sunday through Saturday). If a trip starts in one week, and offloads in the next, it should be reported in the week the catch was offloaded. Copies of fishing log reports must be kept on board the vessel and available for review for at least 1 year, and must be retained for a total of 3 years after the date the fish were last possessed, landed, and sold.
Interactive Voice Response System Requirements
The Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries do not have any IVR requirements. However, if you are participating in a research program such as research set-aside (RSA) or fishing with an exempted fishing permit (EFP), there are IVR requirements. Please refer to your RSA or EFP paperwork for instruction on using IVR.
Vessel Monitoring System Requirements
The owner or operator of a vessel issued a limited access mackerel permit must report catch (retained and discarded) of mackerel daily via VMS. Daily mackerel VMS catch reports must be submitted in 24-hr intervals for each day and must be submitted by 0900 hr on the following day. Reports are required even if mackerel caught that day have not yet been landed.
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
Subsistence Fishing Regulations
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
Seafood Facts
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Is Atlantic Mackerel Sustainable?
U.S. wild-caught Atlantic mackerel is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
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Availability
Year-round. Some is sold fresh in domestic markets, but most is frozen and exported to markets around the world.
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Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to North Carolina.
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Taste
Mackerel has a rich, pronounced flavor. For a milder flavor, cut out the outer bands of dark meat along the midline.
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Texture
Soft, flaky, and moist.
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Color
Raw meat looks grayish and oily. When cooked it is off-white to beige.
![Human Health Icon](/themes/custom/noaa_components/images/fishwatch-seafood-icon.png)
Health Benefits
Mackerel is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is an excellent source of selenium, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1; Serving Weight: 100 g (raw); Calories: 205; Protein: 18.6 g; Total Fat: 13.89 g; Total Saturated Fatty Acids: 3.257 g; Carbohydrate: 0 g; Total Sugars: 0 g; Total Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Cholesterol: 70 mg; Selenium: 44.1 mcg; Sodium: 90 mgMore Information
Sustainable Seafood Recipes
Looking for a new seafood recipe or an old favorite? If you need some cooking inspiration, browse these seafood recipes for main dishes, appetizers, sides, and more!
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
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Exempted Fishing
The Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan prohibits fishing with small-mesh bottom trawl gear, except in specific exemption areas. These exemption areas are summarized here. For additional information about the specific requirements for each area, including possession limit and gear requirements, please visit the area-specific webpages linked within the tables below.
A Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required to fish participate in some of these exemption areas. You can apply for a Letter of Authorization through your Fish Online account. If you need help with the online application or setting up an account, or have any other questions about the online forms and applications, please contact our Permits Office at (978) 282‐8438 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET or email NMFS.GAR.Permits@noaa.gov.
Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank Small-Mesh Exemption Areas
Atlantic mackerel may be retained by vessels fishing with small-mesh bottom trawl gear in the exemption areas listed in the table below, provided vessels meet the following criteria:
- Comply with all applicable season, area, and gear requirements.
- Comply with all applicable possession limits.
- Are issued a whiting (Category K Open Access Northeast Multispecies) permit or a limited access Northeast multispecies permit.
Mackerel is considered an incidentally-caught species in these exemption areas; therefore, in order to fish with small-mesh bottom trawl in these areas, vessels must be on a trip targeting whiting.
Area Name | Season | LOA Required? | River Herring/Shad Retention Allowed? |
Gulf of Maine Grate Raised Footrope Trawl Whiting Fishery Exemption Area | July 1 – November 30 | No | Yes (alewife only) |
Cultivator Shoal Whiting Fishery Exemption Area | June 15 – October 31 | Yes | No |
Small-Mesh Exemption Areas 1 & 2 | Small-Mesh Area 1: July 15 – November 15 Small-Mesh Area 2: January 1 – June 30 | No | No |
Raised Footrope Trawl Exempted Whiting Fishery Areas (Cape Cod) | September 1 – November 20 September 1 – December 31 | Yes | No |
![Small mesh exemption areas map](/s3//styles/media_250_x_250/s3/2021-02/Small%20mesh%20exemption%20areas.png?itok=7k5sjzkb)
Southern New England Exemption Area
Vessels may fish with small-mesh bottom trawl gear on mackerel trips in the Southern New England Exemption Area, provided they comply with all applicable gear and possession requirements.
Area Name | Season | LOA Required? | River Herring/Shad Retention Allowed? |
Southern New England Exemption Area | Year-round | No | Yes (alewife, blueback herring, American shad, hickory shad) |
![SNE exempt.JPG SNE exempt.JPG](/s3//styles/media_250_x_250/s3/dam-migration/sne_exempt.jpg?itok=ctyv2HmL)
Mid-Atlantic Regulated Mesh Area
Vessels may fish with small-mesh bottom trawl gear on mackerel trips in the Mid-Atlantic Regulated Mesh Area, provided they comply with all applicable gear and possession requirements.
Area Name | Season | LOA Required? |
Mid-Atlantic Regulated Mesh Area | Year-round | No |
![Mid-Atlantic Regulated Mesh Area Map](/s3//styles/media_250_x_250/s3/2023-03/ma-regulated-mesh-area-map-noaa-garfo.jpg?itok=gnloxJ-Z)
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
Management Overview
The mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region operate primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region of the eastern coast of the U.S, from Massachusetts to North Carolina. These fisheries primarily use single and paired mid-water trawl, bottom trawl, and purse seine 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.
Regulatory History
Management Timeline
1978: Atlantic Mackerel FMP established management of Atlantic mackerel fishery
1978: Atlantic Butterfish FMP established management of Atlantic butterfish fishery
1978: Squid FMP established management of squid fisheries
1979: Atlantic Mackerel Amendment 1 continued management of the Atlantic mackerel fishery
1979: Squid Amendment 1 continued management of the squid fishery
1980: Atlantic Butterfish Amendment 1 continued management of the Atlantic butterfish fishery
1980: Atlantic Mackerel Amendment 2 continued management of the Atlantic mackerel fishery.
1980: Atlantic Butterfish Amendment 2 continued management of the Atlantic butterfish fishery.
1983: Merged FMP consolidated management of Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries under a single FMP.
1984: Amendment 1 implemented squid OY adjustment mechanism and revised the Atlantic mackerel mortality rate.
1986: Amendment 2 revised squid bycatch TALFF allowances, implemented framework adjustment process, converted expiration of fishing permits from indefinite to annual, and equated fishing year with calendar year.
1991: Amendment 3 established overfishing definitions for all four species.
1991: Amendment 4 limited the activity of directed foreign fishing and joint venture transfers to foreign vessels and allowed for specification of OY for Atlantic mackerel for up to three years.
1996: Amendment 5 adjusted Loligo MSY; eliminated directed foreign fisheries for Loligo, Illex, and butterfish; instituted a dealer and vessel reporting system; instituted an operator permitting system; implemented a limited access system for Loligo, Illex and butterfish; and expanded the management unit to include all Atlantic mackerel, Loligo, Illex, and butterfish under U.S. jurisdiction.
1997: Amendment 6 revised the overfishing definitions for Loligo, Illex, and butterfish; established directed fishery closure at 95 percent of DAH for Loligo, Illex and butterfish with post-closure trip limits for each species; and established a mechanism for seasonal management of the Illex fishery to improve the yield-per recruit.
1997: Amendment 7 established consistency among FMPs in the NE region of the U.S. relative to vessel permitting, replacement and upgrade criteria.
1998: Amendment 8 brought the FMP into compliance with new and revised National Standards and other required provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act. This action also added a framework adjustment procedure.
2001: Framework 1 created a quota set-aside for the purpose of conducting scientific research
2002: Framework 2 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional year; established that previous year specifications apply when specifications for the management unit are not published prior to the start of the fishing year (excluding TALFF specifications); and allowed for the specification of management measures for Loligo for a period of up to three years.
2003: Framework 3 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional year.
2004: Framework 4 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional five years
2007: Amendment 12 implemented standardized bycatch reporting methodology.
2008: Amendment 9 allowed for multi-year specifications for all four managed species (mackerel, butterfish, Illex, and Loligo) for up to 3 years; extended the moratorium on entry into the Illex fishery, without a sunset provision; adopted biological reference points for Loligo recommended by the stock assessment review committee (SARC); designated EFH for Loligo eggs based on available information; and prohibited bottom trawling by MSB-permitted vessels in Lydonia and Oceanographer Canyons.
2010: Amendment 10 implemented a butterfish rebuilding program, increased the Loligo minimum mesh in Trimesters 1 and 3, and implemented a 72-hour trip notification requirement for the Loligo fishery.
2010: Amendment 13 implemented Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), Annual Catch Targets (ACTs), and Accountability Measures (AMs).
2011: Amendment 11 implemented Limited Access in the Atl. mackerel fishery, updated EFH for all mackerel, squid, butterfish species, and established a recreational-commercial allocation.
2012: Framework 5 broadened the scope of individuals who can perform hold measurements for limited access mackerel vessels
2012: Framework 6 clarified the Council's risk policy and describes the limited circumstances under which acceptable biological catch (ABC) can be increased for stocks without status determination criteria on overfishing.
2013: Framework 7 converted the butterfish mortality cap from a catch cap to a discard cap
2014: Amendment 14 implemented a variety of reporting and monitoring requirements for Atlantic mackerel and longfin squid fisheries, and implemented a river herring and shad catch cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery (Appendices).
2013: Amendment 17 modified accountability measures for the Council's recreational fisheries, including Atlantic mackerel.
2014: Framework 8 implemented changes to improve operation of the butterfish discard cap in the longfin squid fishery and the directed butterfish fishery.
2015: Amendment 15 implemented Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology.
2015: Amendment 19 eliminated the requirement for vessel owners to submit "did not fish" reports for the months or weeks when their vessel was not fishing. This action also removed some of the restrictions for upgrading vessels listed on federal fishing permits.
2015: Framework 9 established measures to enhance catch monitoring and address slippage (catch that is discarded before it has been sampled by observers) in the Atlantic mackerel fishery.
2016: Amendment 16 - Deep Sea Corals Amendment established management measures to protect deep sea corals from the impacts of commercial fishing gear in the Mid-Atlantic region.
2017: Amendment 18 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic.
2017: Framework 10 - Omnibus For-Hire Electronic Trip Reporting Framework implemented a requirement for vessels that hold party/charter permits for Council-managed species to submit vessel trip reports electronically (eVTRs) while on a trip carrying passengers for hire.
2018: Framework 11 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) limits for Council-managed fisheries; clarified that the Atlantic Bluefish, Tilefish, and Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMPs will now automatically incorporate the best available scientific information in calculating ABCs (as all other Mid-Atlantic management plans do) rather than requiring a separate management action to adopt them; clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules.
2018: Amendment 20 - Squid Amendment reduced latent directed permits, created limited access incidental permits, and lowered Trimester 2 post-closure trip limit to 250 pounds to discourage directed fishing after closures. Final Rule.
2018: Framework 12 - Atlantic Mackerel Closure Provisions Framework allowed the possession of 5,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the domestic annual harvest is caught instead of prohibiting the possession of Atlantic mackerel for the rest of the year.
2019: Framework 13 - Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Framework with Specifications established a 5-year rebuilding program for Atlantic mackerel, set 2019-2021 Atlantic mackerel specifications and a river herring and shad cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery, modified the Council's risk policy, and modified in-season closure measures.
2020: Amendment 21 - Chub Mackerel Amendment established management of Atlantic chub mackerel fishery through the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
2020: Framework 14 - Omnibus Commercial Electronic Reporting Framework established a requirement for commercial vessels with federal permits for all species managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours after entering port at the conclusion of a trip.
2020: Framework 15 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch and Risk Policy Framework modified the Council’s ABC control rule and risk policy. The revised risk policy is intended to reduce the probability of overfishing as stock size falls below the target biomass while allowing for increased risk and greater economic benefit under higher stock biomass conditions. This action also removed the typical/atypical species distinction currently included in the risk policy.
2023: Amendment 23 - Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding 2.0 Amendment established a revised Atlantic mackerel rebuilding plan, set the 2023 Atlantic mackerel specifications and a river herring and shad catch cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery, established a recreational possession limit, and modified in-season closure measures.
Under Development
None at this time.
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
Science Overview
NOAA Fisheries conducts various research activities on the biology, behavior, and population health of Atlantic mackerel. The results of this research are used to inform management decisions for this species. For detailed information about stock status, management, assessments, and resource trends, you can search for Atlantic mackerel, and any other species of interest, using NOAA’s StockSMART web tool.
Stock Assessment Review Index
Fishery Stock Assessments in New England and the Mid-Atlantic provides general information about stock assessments, and the Stock Assessment Review Index contains copies of completed assessment documents.
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024
Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 05/02/2024