Commercial Closure in the Northern Zone in Federal Waters for Atlantic Migratory Group Spanish Mackerel on September 20, 2025

What/When:

• The commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the northern zone in federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on September 20, 2025. The northern zone for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel includes federal waters off New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
• During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of Spanish mackerel in or from the northern zone federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

Why This Closure Is Happening:

• On July 25, 2025, the Regional Administrator approved a quota transfer of 250,000 pounds from the southern zone quota to the northern zone quota for the 2025/2026 fishing year.

  Therefore, the revised commercial quota for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel for the 2025/2026 fishing year was increased from 662,670 pounds to 912,670 pounds for the northern zone.

• Commercial landings are projected to reach the revised commercial quota for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel northern zone on September 20, 2025. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries is closing harvest to reduce the likelihood and amount of any quota overage.

During and After the Closure:

• The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for Spanish mackerel does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, September 20, 2025, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
• During the closure, a person on board a vessel that has been issued a valid federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the northern zone under the recreational bag and possession limits, as long as the recreational sector for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel is open.
• Commercial harvest for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel northern zone will re-open on March 1, 2026, with a commercial quota of 662,670 pounds.

Background on the Quota Transfer:

• Originally, the 2025/2026 commercial quota for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel northern zone was 662,670 pounds and the southern zone quota was 2,667,330 lbs, and 2,417,330 pounds for the southern zone adjusted quota.
• Regulations allow for quota transfers between the northern and southern zones with the approval of the Regional Administrator.
• The revised commercial quota for the southern zone for the 2025/2026 fishing year is decreased by 250,000 pounds to 2,417,330 pounds, and the revised adjusted commercial quota is decreased to 2,167,330 pounds.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR part 622 or at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-622/subpart-Q#subpart-Q .

Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time. Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

• Gulf of America Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf of America Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Media Contact: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan , 727-385-5202