Atlantic Mackerel Recreational Limits

Summary#

This is a proposed change to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 published on October 10, 2020 by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). If adopted, it would set a short closed season and new limits for the recreational Atlantic mackerel fishery to reduce unreported catches and help the stock rebuild. This is a proposal (Part I); it was open for comments for 30 days after publication.

What it does#

• Sets a recreational closed season for Atlantic mackerel from January 1 to March 31.
• Creates a recreational daily possession limit of 20 mackerel per person.
• Raises the minimum legal possession size for mackerel to 26.8 cm for both commercial and recreational fishers.
• Adds a small‑catch exception allowing mackerel under 26.8 cm to be kept only if they are no more than 10% of the longer mackerel retained on a trip.
• Limits recreational gear to no more than 5 fishing lines and no more than 6 hooks per line.
• Puts DFO outreach and standard enforcement by fishery officers in place to support the changes.

Note: this was published as a proposed regulatory amendment, not a final rule.

Who's affected#

• Recreational fishers who target Atlantic mackerel along the Atlantic coast of Canada.
• Commercial licence holders (including those with bait licences) who have been using the recreational fishery to land larger quantities; the amendments aim to close that loophole.
• Coastal communities and businesses that rely on mackerel, including charters and lodges (DFO expects minimal impact on these businesses).
• Indigenous groups with fishing interests in the region; consultations included groups such as the Nunatsiavut Government and consideration of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement.
• Fisheries managers and enforcement staff at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

If anything is unclear in the source (for example exact enforcement timing after registration), that uncertainty remains.

Why it matters#

• The stock is considered to be in poor condition according to the 2019 assessment. The proposal aims to reduce unreported and potentially commercial‑scale catches taken under the guise of recreational fishing. DFO estimated there could be 2,000 to 5,000 metric tonnes of unreported mackerel removals per year.
• Better control and reporting help scientists make more accurate stock assessments and support rebuilding a sustainable fishery. That matters for jobs and incomes in coastal communities and for the longer‑term health of the marine ecosystem.
• The rules make it easier for fishery officers to detect and stop misuse of recreational rules for commercial purposes.
• Economic impact on legitimate recreational fishers and tourism businesses is expected to be small. The commercial landed value averaged about $7.4 million per year (2013–2017), so rebuilding the stock aims to protect that value over time.