NOAA Fisheries has announced an increase in the commercial quota for Atlantic Spanish mackerel for the 2025/2026 fishing year, following the latest stock assessment indicating that the population remains healthy and is not experiencing overfishing.
Effective March 1, 2025, the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for Atlantic Spanish mackerel has been raised from 3.53 million pounds to 4.41 million pounds. This adjustment reflects updated scientific data showing that the stock biomass is above the target level, allowing for a sustainable increase in harvest.
Under the new rule, the commercial quota is divided between the Northern Zone (from the North Carolina/South Carolina border northward) and the Southern Zone (from the North Carolina/South Carolina border southward through Florida). The Northern Zone will receive approximately 10% of the quota, while the Southern Zone will receive the remaining 90%. These allocations are consistent with the historical distribution of the fishery.
The recreational sector regulations remain largely unchanged. The daily bag limit for anglers remains at 15 fish per person, with a minimum size limit of 12 inches fork length for most areas along the Atlantic coast. NOAA Fisheries stated that recreational landings have remained within the sector's allocation in recent years, and no further management action is required for the recreational fishery at this time.
The Gulf of Mexico stock of Spanish mackerel is managed separately under the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and this quota adjustment applies exclusively to the Atlantic migratory group.
NOAA Fisheries emphasised that the quota increase was made possible by years of responsible management and effective conservation measures, including the successful rebuilding of the stock in earlier decades. Fishery managers urge continued compliance with size limits, trip limits, and reporting requirements to ensure the long-term sustainability of the resource.
For detailed compliance instructions and zone boundaries, stakeholders are directed to the official NOAA Fisheries regulations published in the Federal Register.
