The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on Framework Amendment 11 to Modify Gulf group king mackerel Overfishing Limit (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and Annual Catch Limits (ACL). The recent SEDAR 38 Update stock assessment determined that Gulf king mackerel is not overfished and is not experiencing overfishing. However, the number of spawning fish in the stock is lower than what is needed to maintain maximum sustainable yield, which would allow for the healthiest fishable population. Additionally, the update assessment used new recreational catch and effort estimates from the Marine Recreational Information Program’s Fishing Effort Survey (MRIP-FES), which nearly doubled historic estimates of recreational landings.

The Council chose to reduce Gulf king mackerel catch limits through the 2023/2024 fishing year. The new catch limits in pounds landed weight, expressed in MRIP-FES data currency are as follows:

This Framework Amendment to Modify Gulf king mackerel Overfishing Limit, Acceptable Biological Catch, and Annual Catch Limits will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation as soon as practicable.