Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Public Hearings on Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Amendment

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public input on a proposed amendment to rebuild the Atlantic mackerel stock. Comments may be submitted at any of five public hearings to be held between April 25 and May 2, 2022 or via written comment through May 9, 2022.

A 2021 stock assessment found that Atlantic mackerel was overfished and that overfishing was occurring. Although a rebuilding plan was implemented in November 2019, the 2021 assessment found that the stock was unlikely to rebuild as anticipated. The stock size increased 180% between 2014 and 2019 but was still less than a quarter rebuilt. In response to this updated information, the Council is developing a new rebuilding plan.

The Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding 2.0 Amendment contains five rebuilding alternatives projected to rebuild the stock within 10 years. Potential management measures include commercial quotas, recreational bag/possession limits, a 3-inch commercial minimum mesh requirement, and permitting clarifications. The action would also set specifications and a river herring and shad cap for 2023. Please see the Overview of Rebuilding Alternatives and Public Hearing Document or watch the public hearing presentation for additional information about the management options considered in this amendment.

Public Hearing Schedule

1. New Bedford, MA – Monday April 25, 2022, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
   Fairfield Inn and Suites - 185 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford, MA 02740, (774) 634-2000

2. Plymouth, MA – Tuesday April 26, 2022, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
   Hilton Garden Inn - 4 Home Depot Drive, Plymouth, MA 02360, (508) 830-0200

3. Portsmouth, NH – Wednesday April 27, 2022, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
   Urban Forestry Center - 45 Elwyn Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801, (603) 431-6774

4. Brunswick, ME – Thursday April 28, 2022, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
   Curtis Memorial Library (Morrell Meeting Room) - 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011, (207) 725-5242

5. Webinar – Monday, May 2, 2022, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted through May 9, 2022 by any of the following methods:

• Online: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/mackerel-rebuilding

• Email: jdidden@mafmc.org (use subject “Mackerel Rebuilding”)

• Mail to: Chris Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901. Mark the outside of the envelope "Mackerel Rebuilding.”

For more information, contact Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org (also 302-526-5254) or visit https://www.mafmc.org/actions/atlantic-mackerel-rebuilding-amendment.

Amendment Documents

Amendment Overview

Public Hearing Document