New Rules for Recreational Atlantic Mackerel

Summary#

The government amended the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 to put rules on recreational Atlantic mackerel fishing. The main changes set a possession limit of 20 mackerel per person per day, raise the minimum size to 26.8 cm, and create a closed season from January 1 to March 31. These regulations came into force when registered on May 14, 2021.

What it does#

• Creates a yearly closed time for recreational Atlantic mackerel fishing: January 1 to March 31.
• Sets a recreational daily possession limit of 20 mackerel per person.
• Raises the minimum legal size for possession to 26.8 cm (applies to commercial and recreational fishers).
• Limits recreational gear to no more than five fishing lines and no more than six hooks on each line.
• Clarifies size-related possession rules for mackerel under 26.8 cm, including a small allowance in certain situations (the text provides a 10% exception in a retention rule).

Who's affected#

• Recreational fishers who target Atlantic mackerel in Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
• Businesses that serve recreational fishers (charters and lodges), though officials expect only small impacts.
• Commercial licence holders (including bait licence holders) because the changes aim to stop commercial-scale fishing under the guise of recreational fishing.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and fishery officers, who will enforce the new limits.
• Indigenous groups: DFO says the changes do not directly change food, social and ceremonial (FSC) harvest rules, but some Indigenous organizations raised concerns about consultation and how FSC needs are accounted for.

Why it matters#

• The Atlantic mackerel stock is in a low, “critical” state, and unregulated recreational catches made it hard to track total removals. DFO estimated unreported catches could be about 2,000 to 5,000 metric tons per year.
• Putting a daily limit, a minimum size, a closed season, and gear limits is intended to keep the fishery truly recreational. That should reduce unreported or commercial-scale removals and help rebuilding efforts.
• Healthier mackerel stocks matter to coastal communities and commercial fishers: the commercial landed value averaged about $8.1 million annually (2014–2019). The changes aim to protect livelihoods and long‑term access to the resource.