🎣Reopening of Atlantic Spanish Mackerel Commercial Harvest
NMFS announces the re-opening of commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel in the northern zone of the Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS recently approved a second transfer of commercial quota from the southern zone to the northern zone for the 2025-2026 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS re-opens the commercial harvest of Spanish mackerel in the northern zone for an additional 8 days. The purpose of this temporary rule is to allow commercial fishermen to harvest the increased commercial quota of Spanish mackerel in the northern zone while managing the risk of exceeding the commercial quota.
Learn More🐟Notice of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Meeting
NMFS will hold a 2-day hybrid Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) meeting in September 2025. The intent of the meeting is to consider options for the conservation and management of HMS. The meeting is open to the public.
Learn More🎣Atlantic Herring Possession Limit Adjustment for 2025
NMFS is implementing a 2,000-lb (907.2-kg) possession limit for Atlantic herring for Management Area 1A. This adjustment is required because NMFS projects that herring catch from Area 1A has reached 92 percent of the Area's sub-annual catch limit before the end of the fishing year. This action is intended to prevent overharvest of herring in Area 1A, which would result in additional catch limit reductions in a subsequent year.
Learn More🎣Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Retention Limit Adjustments for 2025
NMFS is adjusting the daily retention limits for the bluefin tuna (BFT) General and Harpoon categories. Specific to the General category, NMFS is adjusting the daily retention limit for the month of June from the default of three large medium or giant BFT to one large medium or giant BFT. This daily retention limit applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. This daily retention limit will be effective for the month of June or until further modified. Specific to the Harpoon category, NMFS is modifying the daily retention limit from the default of no more than 10 large medium and giant BFT to 5 large medium or giant BFT. The incidental catch limit of two large medium BFT per vessel per day/trip remains unchanged. These retention limits apply to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels for the remainder of the 2025 Harpoon category fishing season, which concludes on November 15, 2025, or until further modified.
Learn More🦈SEDAR 101 Data Scoping Webinar for Sandbar Shark
The SEDAR 101 assessment process of HMS sandbar shark will consist of a Data Workshop, and an Assessment Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
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