Overview
This framework considers revisions to the Atlantic mackerel stock rebuilding plan, including 2026-2027 specifications (catch limits) and associated management measures. Large-scale directed commercial fishing effort for Atlantic mackerel has been negligible since October 12, 2023, when very low trip limits and quotas were established to facilitate rebuilding. Based on the 2025 Management Track Assessment, the stock was neither overfished (56% of target) nor experiencing overfishing (only 1/5 of the overfishing rate) in 2024. At the August 2025 meeting, the Council agreed, as part of efforts to address Executive Order 14276 on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, to consider amending the mackerel rebuilding plan to a lower probability of rebuilding (50% versus 61%) to yield more fish in upcoming years.
Contact:
Jason Didden (jdidden@mafmc.org, 302-526-5254)
Action Development Timeline and Status
Current Action Plan (as of 10/14/25)
August 2025 Council Meeting: Action initiated.
October 2025 Council Meeting: The Council reviewed a draft range of alternatives and instructed staff to refine a range of approaches for 2026-2027 that would continue rebuilding based on the SSC’s recommendations.
October-December 2025 Meetings:
Click here for Press Release on final action
The adopted trip limits, which may take months for NOAA to implement would be:
Phase 1 - Start of year
Tier 1: 200,000 pounds per trip; Tier 2: 135,000 pounds per trip; Tier 3: 100,000 pounds per trip
Open access: 20,000 pounds per trip
Phase 2 - triggers when 1,100 metric tons of quota remain
All limited access Tiers: 20,000 pounds per trip
Open access: 5,000 pounds per trip
Phase 3 - triggers when 220 metric tons of quota remain
All limited access Tiers: 10,000 pounds per trip
Open access: 2,500 pounds per trip