NOAA Fisheries increases catch limit for Spanish Mackerel

Fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic will soon be able to take a few more Spanish mackerel.

NOAA Fisheries has approved a rule increasing the catch limit for Spanish Mackerel.

The rule increases the combined commercial and recreational catch limit for Spanish mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico from about 5.2 million pounds to 12.7 million pounds.

The catch limit would fall to 11.8 million pounds in 2016 and 11.3 million pounds after that.

Recent stock assessments for Spanish mackerel indicate the stocks are healthy enough for the increase

In the South Atlantic, the rule increases the catch limit for Spanish mackerel from 5.7 million pounds to 6 million pounds; with 55% percent of that going to the commercial sector.

The new limits take effect on December 22nd.

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