Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding and 2026-2027 Specifications Framework

Overview

Apparently improving stock conditions may allow higher 2026-2027 Atlantic mackerel catch limits.

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 assessment, It appears that improving recruitment in 2022 and 2023 preceded a large terminal year recruitment event in 2024. However, the preceding three terminal year recruitment estimates (2016, 2019, and 2022) were later revised down, by -30%, -62%, and -23% respectively.

In October 2025 the Council instructed staff to refine a range of approaches for 2026-2027 that would continue rebuilding based on the SSC’s recommendations, developed at an October 23, 2025 SSC webinar meeting. A planned joint Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Committee plus River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Committee meeting on November 24, 2025 will develop recommendations for final action at the Council’s December 2025 meeting.

Contact:

Action Development Timeline and Status

Current Action Plan (as of 10/14/25)

October 2025 Council Meeting: The Council reviewed and approved a draft range of alternatives for further analysis.

Next Steps: Nov 12 MSB Monitoring Committee Meeting (will be canceled if shutdown persists), Nov 21 RH/S AP Meeting, Nov 24 Joint MSB+RH/S Committee Meeting, Final Action at December 2025 Council Meeting (may be discussion and not final action depending on shutdown status)

Alternative Gear Marking Framework

This joint omnibus framework action will consider revisions to gear marking regulations to allow the use of fixed gear without a persistent buoy line, also called on-demand fishing gear, in all New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council fishery management plans.

Spiny Dogfish Accountability Measures Framework

The spiny dogfish FMP currently requires pound for pound paybacks of any Annual Catch Limit overages as an accountability measure (AM). This action considers if there are some circumstances where the current strict paybacks may be excessive, and if modified/relaxed payback AMs may be sufficient.

Recreational Sector Separation Amendment

This amendment will consider options for managing for-hire recreational fisheries separately from other recreational fishing modes (referred to as sector separation), as well as options related to for-hire permit and reporting requirements.

Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

This action will concurrently conduct the 5-year EFH review required under the Magnuson Stevens Act while amending fishery management plans for the Council, as needed.