NEW REGULATIONS FOR ATLANTIC KING AND SPANISH MACKEREL EFFECTIVE JUNE 8

Recreational fisherman allowed to keep “cut-off” fish; king mackerel bag limit increases off of Florida east coast.

NOAA Fisheries recently announced the final rule for Amendment 34 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagics (mackerels). Beginning June 8, 2023, the amendment will:

• Increase the acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, annual optimum yield, and recreational annual catch targets for Atlantic King Mackerel;

• Increase the recreational bag limit for Atlantic King Mackerel in federal waters off the east coast of Florida from 2 to 3 fish per person; and

• Allow the recreational sector to keep cut-off (damaged) Atlantic King Mackerel and Atlantic Spanish Mackerel caught under the recreational bag limit that comply with the minimum size limits.

See the complete Fishery Bulletin issued from NOAA Fisheries for additional details, including catch levels, sector and regional allocations, commercial seasonal quotas, and an FAQ regarding the regulatory changes. (https://content. govdelivery.com/accounts/USNOAAFISHERIES/ bulletins/3597f71)

Making Sense of Mackerel Mackerel management is a bit complicated. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council regulate King and Spanish Mackerel through the joint Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery Management Plan. Two migratory groups, Gulf and Atlantic, are recognized for each species and regulated separately.

The area of the Gulf migratory group extends from the southern border of Texas through the Gulf to the Miami-Dade/Monroe county border on the east coast of Florida (encompassing the Keys). The area for the Atlantic migratory group extends from the Miami-Dade/Monroe County border on the east coast of Florida to the intersection of NY, NJ, and CT. Additional information is available from NOAA Fisheries at: Making Sense of Mackerel.

Mackerel Maps and More

Detailed maps are available for the King Mackerel Migratory Group Zones and for the Spanish Mackerel Migratory Group Zones. Get the latest regulations from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/regulations/ or by downloading the Fish Rules mobile apps.

FWC Suspends Discussions On Goliath Grouper Spawning Aggregation Site Protections

At its May meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) suspended proposed rulemaking discussions on goliath grouper spawning aggregation site protections with no plans to resume. The areas that were under discussion are open to catch-andrelease fishing only. Harvest from these sites is prohibited.

For the full May 10-11 agenda and links to background reports, go to MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings.” Those who cannot attend can follow coverage at Twitter.com/MyFWC (@MyFWC) and sign up for news updates at MyFWC.com. Check the Florida Channel for possible live video coverage at TheFloridaChannel. org.

Goliath grouper harvest is prohibited without a permit. Visit MyFWC.com and see Goliath Harvest Program for more information on the limited, highly regulated harvest opportunity, as well as goliath grouper catching and releasing regulations.