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FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLANS
ATLANTIC MACKEREL, SQUID, & BUTTERFISH
Implementing regulations for these fisheries are found at 50 CFR Part 648 Subpart B
The Atlantic Mackerel, Loligo squid, Illex squid, and butterfish fisheries are all managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) under a single Fishery Management Plan. To access the MAFMC Mackerel/Squid/Butterfish webpage, please click here.
The Atlantic mackerel fishery utilizes an annual coastwide quota to manage commercial and recreational fishing fleets. Mackerel is a large volume fishery primarily harvested with mid-water trawl gear. The squid (Loligo and Illex) fisheries utilize annual coastwide quotas to manage fishing fleets and are harvested with small mesh trawl gear. The annual harvest quota for Loligo is divided into trimester allocations spaced throughout the fishing year. Illex is primarily harvested to be used as bait. The butterfish fishery utilizes an annual coastwide quota to manage fishing fleets and is primarily harvested with small mesh trawl gear. Currently, there is not a directed fishery for butterfish. Instead, most butterfish are harvested as bycatch with squid. On January 1, 2011, NMFS implemented a mortality cap to limit butterfish catch in the Loligo fishery. To view images of these fisheries, please click here.
"A new limited access permit system for Atlantic mackerel goes into effect on March 1, 2012. For information on how to apply for a limited access mackerel permit, click here. If you hope to qualify for a limited access permit prior to March 1, 2012, you must submit a complete application prior to January 31, 2012. The last day to submit an initial application is February 28, 2013."
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Recent Announcements
- November 16, 2011 - New Limited Access Atlantic Mackerel Fishery Permits Required as of March 1, 2012
- August 17, 2011- Closure of Trimester 2 Directed Loligo Squid Fishery Effective August 23, 2011
- June 30, 2011 - Closure of the Directed Butterfish Fishery Effective July 6, 2011
- June 13, 2011 - Reminder about Pre-Trip Notification Requirement for Loligo/Butterfish Moratorium Permit Holders
- May 16, 2011 - Notification of Adjustment to the 2011 Trimester 2 and 3 Loligo Squid Quotas
- March 14, 2011 - Revised Butterfish Specifications for the 2011 Fishing Year
- February 11, 2011 - 2011 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Specifications and Management Measures
- November 23, 2010 - Changes That Will Affect The Loligo Fishery As A Result Of Amendment 10 To The Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, And Butterfish FMP
Recent And Upcoming Actions
- Final Rule; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Removal of Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Regulations
- Final Rule; Effectiveness Of Collection Of Information Requirements; Amendment 11 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan
- Final Rule; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Amendment 11
- Final Rule; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Omnibus Amendment; Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures
- Temporary Rule; Closure; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; Closure of the 2011 Trimester 2 Directed Loligo Squid Fishery
- Temporary Final Rule; Emergency Action Extension & Request For Comments; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery; Emergency Rule Extension, Revision of 2011 Butterfish Specifications
- Supporting Documents - EA
- Temporary Rule; Closure; Closure of the Directed Butterfish Fishery
- Final Environmental Impact Statement for Amendment 11 to the MSB FMP - Document submitted by the MAFMC, Proposed Rule under development by NMFS.
- Final Rule; Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fisheries; 2011 Specifications and Management Measures
Programs
Information Sheets — Under Development
Charts — Fishery Specific Charts
Forms - Permit Applications And Request Forms
FishWatch - U.S. Seafood Facts
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Last Updated:
December 29, 2011
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