East coast Spanish mackerel proposed management and harvest strategy changes

The following changes are proposed:

• Amend the harvest strategy target reference point from 60% unfished biomass to 48% unfished biomass, amend the harvest strategy objectives, and remove the 40% interim target reference point previously established when stocks were believed to be below the 20% threshold.
• Increase the total allowable commercial catch from 165 t to 250 t to improve industry viability and better align the commercial sector catch share to the established 60% commercial 40% recreational allocation in the harvest strategy.
• Increase the recreational boat limit from 2 per boat with 2 or more people on board to 4 per boat with 4 or more people on board, without significantly negatively impacting the sector catch share ratio.
• Amend the harvest strategy decision rules as drafted in the East coast Spanish mackerel harvest strategy: 2023–2028 – Proposed amendments.

The 75 cm minimum size limit, seasonal closures, charter fishing trip limits and the individual recreational possession limit of one fish per person would remain the same.