Commercial fishing for Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic just closed early for 2025-2026

US regulators have closed the commercial fishing season for Spanish mackerel in the northern Atlantic zone for the 2025-2026 fishing year. This means commercial fishermen cannot catch or sell Spanish mackerel in that area until the next season opens.

Every year, regulators set a limit on how much fish can be caught to keep populations healthy. This closure means that limit was reached much faster than expected, even with a revised quota. It shows that the fish population is under more pressure than previously thought, or that fishing efforts are more effective.