US closes Atlantic mackerel fishery for 2025 to prevent overfishing

The US government has closed the commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery for the rest of 2025. This means fishing boats cannot catch or sell Atlantic mackerel until next year.

This closure is not a surprise; it is a routine enforcement action when a specific catch limit is reached. The government sets annual limits to prevent overfishing and ensure fish populations can recover. When 80% of that limit is caught, regulations require a shutdown.