Beginning December 20, 2018, a small incidental catch (5,000 lb) of Atlantic mackerel will be allowed after 100 percent of the commercial quota is caught instead of prohibiting the possession of Atlantic mackerel for the rest of the year.
This action will allow for other fisheries to continue operating, including the Atlantic herring fishery, without resulting in an overage of the mackerel annual catch limit.
If 100 percent of the Atlantic mackerel commercial quota is projected to be caught, and the 5,000 lb possession limit is implemented, you will be notified by:
- The Federal Register;
- E-mail;
- VMS Message;
- Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office website, and;
- Bulletin in the mail.
