West Coast mackerel fishing limits will rise for the next two years

US regulators propose increasing the amount of Pacific mackerel that can be caught off the West Coast for the next two fishing seasons. This means commercial fishing boats can catch more mackerel before the directed fishery closes.

Fishing limits directly control how much fish can be caught, which affects the livelihoods of commercial fishers and the price of seafood. These proposed increases suggest that regulators believe the Pacific mackerel stock is healthy enough to support higher harvest levels. This decision balances economic interests with the long-term health of the fish population.