The Minister has announced the continuation of the closure of the Atlantic mackerel commercial fishery for 2025 and 2026. The personal-use bait, recreational, and the food, social and ceremonial fisheries will remain open.
For each of 2025 and 2026 seasons, the Minister has set a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 500 tonnes (t), which includes 440 t for the personal-use bait fishery, and 20 t each for the bluefin tuna bait exemption, scientific sampling, and bycatch.
For the 2025 season, this will be a competitive personal-use bait fishery and the first release of 220 t will be open to all four DFO regions of Atlantic Canada and Quebec on Thursday, May 15, 2025. If the first tranche is fully caught, harvesters will be alerted to stop fishing through a Notice to Fish Harvesters. The second 220 t release will also be conveyed through a Notice to Fish Harvesters with an expected release date in September, to provide fairness in access for harvesters across all regions within Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
Eligible fish harvesters participating in this fishery will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs), which will be monitored through various measures, including a 100% hail-in requirement in all regions. DFO regional offices will be in contact with additional information related to conditions of licence, which will be available through the National Online Licensing System.
DFO will work with advisory committee members on the management approach for the 2026 fishery.
Todd Williams
Chair
Atlantic Mackerel Advisory Committee