Reduction in the 2025/2026 Commercial Gillnet Quota for Gulf of America Southern Zone King Mackerel

Key Message:

• Effective December 30, 2025, the 2025/2026 Gulf commercial quota for the king mackerel gillnet component is 670,140 pounds (lb).
• The use of run-around gillnets for king mackerel is restricted to the Gulf southern zone (see map below).
• The harvest reduction is effective for the 2025/2026 commercial run-around gillnet fishing season, which opens January 20, 2026.

Why This Reduction is Happening:

• The latest report for 2024/2025 Gulf king mackerel gillnet commercial landings indicates 672,516 lb were harvested; 1,188 lb greater than the 2024/2025 quota of 671,328 lb.
• A commercial post-season accountability measure set by the Gulf Fishery Management Council and approved and monitored by NOAA Fisheries requires a reduction in the next fishing year's quota by the amount of the previous year's quota overage.
• As a result, the 2025/2026 quota is reduced from 671,328 lb to 670,140 lb.
• This action is necessary to protect the king mackerel population and prevent overfishing (too many fish being harvested).

Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

• Gulf Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries-Related Alerts

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

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.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202