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ISSUE DATE: February 2, 2026
FB26-002
CONTACT: Mary Vara, Sustainable Fisheries, mary.vara@noaa.gov, 727-824-5305
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Commercial Closure in Federal Waters for Atlantic Migratory Group Spanish Mackerel Southern Zone on February 7, 2026
What/When:
- Commercial harvest of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone is closed, effective 6:00 a.m., local time, on February 7, 2026, and will open on March 1, 2026, for the March 2026 through February 2027 fishing season.
- The Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone includes federal waters off the states of South Carolina, Georgia, and the east coast of Florida. The boundary for the southern zone is the Atlantic exclusive economic zone from the North Carolina/South Carolina border to the Monroe/Miami-Dade Counties, Florida, border.
- During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in or from the Atlantic southern zone is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.
Why This Closure Is Happening:
Commercial landings data indicate that commercial landings for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone are projected to reach the commercial quota. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the quota from being exceeded.
After the Closure:
- The prohibition on sale or purchase during a closure for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone does not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 6:00 a.m., local time, February 7, 2026, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
- During the closure, a person on board a vessel that has been issued a valid Federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for coastal migratory pelagic fish may continue to retain, but not sell or purchase, Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic southern zone under the recreational bag and possession limits, as long as the recreational sector is open.
This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-622#subpart-Q.
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Sign Up for Text Message Alerts
Our Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message and data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time. Text alerts you may receive include immediate fishery openings and closures and any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.
Sign up for one or more of the fisheries-related alerts below by texting the following to 888777:
- Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) Recreational: Text GULFRECFISH
- Gulf of America Commercial: Text GULFCOMMFISH
- South Atlantic Recreational: Text SATLRECFISH
- South Atlantic Commercial: Text SATLCOMMFISH
- Caribbean: Text CARIBFISH
Permits Mailbox
The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information contact the Permits Office at (877) 376-4877.
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Other Contacts
Media: Allison Garrett (727) 551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan (727) 385-5202
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