08/22/2026
FF-35-2026
PROCLAMATION
RE: SPANISH MACKEREL – COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL – COMMERCIAL HARVEST PERIOD WITH 500 POUND POSSESSION LIMIT
This proclamation supersedes FF-15-2026 dated February 25, 2026. This proclamation establishes a harvest period for the commercial Spanish mackerel fishery in North Carolina Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters and implements a 500-pound possession limit. The fishery will close by proclamation once the total stock ACL (annual catch limit) is projected to be reached, or 8:00 P.M. November 13, 2026, whichever occurs first. The commercial fishery in federal waters remains closed.
Michael S. Loeffler, Interim Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, hereby announces that effective at 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, August 25, 2026, the following restrictions shall apply to the Spanish mackerel fisheries:
I. SIZE LIMIT
It shall be unlawful to possess Spanish mackerel less than 12 inches fork length in a commercial operation or for recreational purposes.
II. COMMERCIAL HARVEST PERIOD AND LIMITS
A. The Spanish mackerel commercial fishery in Federal Waters will close from 12:01 A.M., Tuesday, August 25, 2026, until March 1, 2027. In North Carolina Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters, the Spanish mackerel commercial fishery will remain open until 8:00 P.M., Friday, November 13, 2026, unless closed earlier by proclamation.
B. During the commercial harvest period for North Carolina Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters referenced in II.A. above, it shall be unlawful to possess aboard or land from a vessel, or combination of vessels that form a single operation, more than 500 pounds of Spanish mackerel in any one day or trip, whichever is more restrictive.
C. It shall be unlawful to possess aboard or land from a vessel, or combination of vessels that form a single operation, more than 3,500 pounds of Spanish or king mackerel, in the aggregate, in any one day.
III. FOR-HIRE VESSEL (While engaged in a For-Hire Vessel operation as defined by G.S 113-174) HARVEST LIMITS
Charter vessels or head boats that hold a valid National Marine Fisheries Service Coastal Migratory Pelagic (Charter Boat and Head Boat) permit shall comply with the Spanish mackerel possession limits established in Section IV. when fishing with more than three persons (including the captain and mate) on board.
IV. RECREATIONAL HARVEST LIMITS
It shall be unlawful to possess more than 15 Spanish mackerel per person per day taken for recreational purposes.
V. GENERAL INFORMATION:
This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G. S. 113-134; 113-134.1; 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-182.1; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103 and 03M .0512.
B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the Fisheries Director under their delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.
C. The intent of this proclamation is to allow harvest of Spanish mackerel in compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Spanish Mackerel Fishery Management Plan and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagics.
D. The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils approved Amendment 20A to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagics prohibiting the sale of king and Spanish mackerel caught under the bag limit without a valid federal commercial permit. This prohibition on sale also applies to charter vessels and headboats that hold both valid federal charter/headboat and commercial permits, when operating as a charter. An exemption was made to allow sale of fish from state-permitted recreational fishing tournaments that donate all money from the sale to charity. The amendment also eliminates the income qualification requirements for Commercial King and Spanish Mackerel Permits. The amendment and final rule implementing the regulations is located at: https://safmc.net/fishery-management-plans/coastal-migratory-pelagics/.
E. Vessels holding both a valid National Marine Fisheries Service Atlantic Charter/Headboat Coastal Migratory Pelagics Permit and either a valid National Marine Fisheries Service Commercial Spanish Mackerel Permit OR Commercial King Mackerel Permit are considered to be operating as a charter boat/headboat when fishing withmore than three persons (including captain and mate) onboard (see 50 CFR § 622.2).
F. Provisions for individuals onboard a charter or headboat to possess multiple daily bag limits may be found at 50 CFR §622.382(2) and state that a person who is on a trip that spans more than 24 hours may possess no more than two daily bag limits, provided such trip is on a vessel that is operating as a charter vessel or headboat, the vessel has two licensed operators aboard, and each passenger is issued and has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel that verifies the length of the trip.
G. The federal Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is defined as waters of the Atlantic Ocean from three to 200 miles seaward of the shoreline.
Spanish mackerel harvested as part of a licensed recreational fishing tournament may be sold in accordance with N.C.G.S. 113-168.4(c) and N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03O .0102.
I. In accordance with N.C. General Statute113-221.1(c) all persons who may beaffected by proclamations issued by theFisheries Director are under a duty tokeep themselves informed of currentproclamations.
J. Contact N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, P.O. Box 769, Morehead City, NC 28557; 252-515-5500 or 800-682-2632 for more information or visit the division website atwww.ncmarinefisheries.net.
K. This proclamation establishes a harvest period for the commercial Spanish mackerel fishery in North Carolina Coastal and Joint Fishing Waters and implements a 500-pound possession limit. The fishery will close by proclamation once the total stock ACL (annual catch limit) is projected to be reached, or 8:00 P.M. November 13, 2026, whichever occurs first. The commercial fishery in federal waters remains closed.
By: _______________________________
Michael S. Loeffler, Interim Director
DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES
August 21, 2026
3:00 P.M.
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