A recent stock assessment found Atlantic mackerel to be overfished with overfishing occurring. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires fishery management councils to develop rebuilding plans for all overfished stocks.
In August 2018 the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved Framework 13 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This action establishes management measures to rebuild Atlantic mackerel in five years (by 2023). The framework also includes Atlantic mackerel specifications for 2019-2021. The Council anticipates that an updated stock assessment will be available in 2020 to evaluate early rebuilding progress.
Contact: Jason Didden, (302) 526-5254, jdidden@mafmc.org.
Timeline
April 2018 Council Meeting: The Council met for the first framework meeting to review an initial range of alternatives.
August 2018 Council Meeting: The Council met for the second framework meeting and took final action, approving measures to rebuild mackerel in five years (by 2023). The framework also includes Atlantic mackerel specifications for 2019-2021.
June 7, 2019: NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule to implement the Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Framework (MSB Framework 13).
October 30, 2019: NOAA Fisheries published a final rule implementing MSB Framework 13. Click here to view the final Environmental Assessment.
Amendment Documents
April 2018 Council Meeting (first framework meeting)
August 2018 Council Meeting (second framework meeting, final action)
Proposed Rule, 6/7/19
Final Rule - Framework 13 to the MSB FMP, 10/30/19
Background Documents
Atlantic Mackerel Stock Assessment (SAW 64)