US regulators propose new fishing limits for butterfish, keeping others steady
What happened
US fisheries regulators are proposing new catch limits for butterfish for 2025 and 2026. They are keeping the existing limits for chub mackerel, Illex squid, longfin squid, and Atlantic mackerel the same. This means fishing boats will have to adjust how much butterfish they catch, while other species remain under current rules.
Why it matters
Every two years, regulators set the total amount of fish that can be caught for key species. These limits directly affect how much money fishing boats can make and how many trips they can take. Adjusting the butterfish limit means some fishing operations will need to change their plans to stay within the new rules.
The signal
Watch for the final rule to see if the proposed butterfish limits are adopted as is, and how the fishing industry reacts to the new quotas.