Atlantic mackerel – NAFO subareas 3 and 4 2026

Dates of season (subject to change)

Typically from April to November

Total Allowable Catches

For 2026 Fisheries and Oceans Canada has increased the Atlantic mackerel total allowable catch (TAC) to 1,500 tonnes (t). This replaces a previous decision that set a 500 t TAC in 2025 and 2026. The new TAC includes 1,400 t for the personal-use bait fishery, 60 t for bycatch, and 20 t each to support scientific sampling and live bait for the bluefin tuna fishery.

DFO will maintain the commercial fishery closure.

The recreational and the food, social and ceremonial fisheries will continue to remain open.

Management measures

Along with the increase in TAC, DFO is setting three fishery openings for the Atlantic mackerel bait fishery: the first opened on May 27, and two additional openings tentatively scheduled for August and October. A total of 466.67 tonnes will be released on each future opening date. As 220 tonnes were previously released on May 27, an additional 246.67 tonnes is being released immediately.

Planned opening dates will be communicated through a Notice to Fish Harvesters. Closures will also be conveyed through a Notice to Fish Harvesters when the quota for each opening has been fully harvested.

The Atlantic mackerel bait fishery is a competitive fishery and is intended for personal-use only. Eligible fish harvesters participating in the personal-use bait fishery will be restricted to a daily limit of 454 kg (1,000 lbs), which will be monitored through various measures, including a 100% hail-in requirement in all regions. For more information contact your regional DFO office or visit the National Online Licensing System.

Single or multi-year planning

This is a single year decision that will be applied to the 2026 fishing season only, and supersedes the 2025 -2026 management approach.

Additional information

Atlantic mackerel is an important forage species and plays a critical role in the marine ecosystem. It occupies central positions in aquatic food webs and variations in abundance can affect both predators and prey.

Atlantic mackerel are found in the Northeast and Northwest Atlantic Ocean. Northeast and Northwest Atlantic mackerel are genetically distinct, with no evidence of trans-Atlantic migration. Northwest Atlantic mackerel, found on the eastern seaboard, is composed of the Southern and Northern spawning contingents. Mackerel found in Canadian waters is only of the Northern contingent.

DFO’s 2026 Atlantic mackerel stock assessment shows that the northern contingent remains in the Critical Zone although spawning stock biomass has increased since reaching a record low in 2021.

Together with the Atlantic herring fall fishery decision, this decision supports stronger commercial fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. More access to mackerel and fall herring will help lower bait costs for harvesters and drive growth in the fish and seafood sector in rural and coastal communities. These decisions were informed by the latest peer reviewed science and reflect DFO’s commitment to managing fisheries sustainably as stock conditions change.

Links to other information

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada increases Total Allowable Catch for Atlantic mackerel and Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence fall herring fishery
• Notice of Decision Invoking Subsection 6.2(2) of the Fisheries Act
• Atlantic Mackerel (Scomber scombrus L.)
• Integrated Fisheries Management Plan for Atlantic Mackerel
• Rebuilding plan for Atlantic mackerel – NAFO Subareas 3 and 4
• Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985