Fisheries Management – Coastal Migratory Pelagics (Gulf & Atlantic)

Current understanding

NMFS manages coastal migratory pelagic species (including Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and cobia) in the Gulf of America and Atlantic regions under a joint Gulf/South Atlantic Fishery Management Council FMP. Framework amendments periodically revise annual catch limits and accountability measures based on updated stock assessments. Current activity includes Framework Amendment 14, which would revise the Gulf Spanish mackerel ACL and switch from in-season to post-season accountability measures to achieve optimum yield.

Evidence log

• 2026-08-24 — Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf and Atlantic Region; Commercial Closure for Atlantic Spanish Mackerel in the Northern Zone: cross-connection with fisheries-commercial-season-management: This northern-zone Atlantic Spanish mackerel closure is the routine in-season quota accountability measure operating under the Coastal Migratory Pelagics FMP, illustrating how CMP quota structure drives seasonal commercial closures. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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