Final Rule for 2021-2023 Specifications to Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fisheries

This rule sets the 2021-2023 fishing year quotas in the mackerel, longfin squid, Illex squid, and butterfish fisheries, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This action maintains previously approved catch levels for 2020 for Illex squid, longfin squid, and Atlantic mackerel, maintains the 129 mt river herring and shad catch cap, and makes other minor adjustments to the management plan. The butterfish allowable catch is reduced by 72 percent, but given recent catch trends, this reduction is not expected to negatively impact the commercial fishing industry. This action also reaffirms previously implemented 2020-2021 specifications for chub mackerel.