Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  NOAA Fisheries is inviting the public to weigh in on a proposed rule that would reduce the annual catch limit for Gulf Spanish mackerel. The proposed change is part of Framework Amendment 14 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf and Atlantic Region. The rule would also change how fishing accountability is measured for the species. Federal fishery managers say the stock is currently healthy but needs adjustments to remain so.

The comment period opened yesterday, July 22, 2026, and runs through August 21, 2026. Comments may be submitted electronically via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at regulations.gov or by postal mail. Electronic submissions should be directed to docket number NOAA-NMFS-2026-0794 at www.regulations.gov. Written comments may be mailed to Kelli O'Donnell, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Under the proposed rule, the Gulf Spanish mackerel annual catch limit would decrease from 11.3 million pounds to 9.63 million pounds. The accountability measure would also shift from an in-season closure to a post-season monitoring system. That change is intended to expand fishing opportunities across fishing years. The Gulf Council requested both modifications following a review of the most recent stock assessment.

The stock assessment for Gulf Spanish mackerel was completed in 2023 and accepted as the best available scientific information at the time. The Gulf Council reviewed the findings and accepted the catch-limit recommendations in the assessment. The council then asked NOAA Fisheries to implement those recommendations through rulemaking.

NOAA Fisheries said the proposed changes are intended to maintain the population at a level that supports maximum yield over time. Officials described the fish stock as healthy but said the current catch limit exceeds what the data support for long-term productivity. The proposed rule is formally published as 91 FR 46042 in the Federal Register, dated July 22, 2026. Framework Amendment 14 is available online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website.