Atlantic Mackerel - Effective 2022

Foreword

Photo of a Atlantic Mackerel — Atlantic Mackerel
(*Scomber scombrus* L.)
Photo: Claude Nozères

The purpose of this Integrated Fisheries Management Plan (IFMP) is to identify the main objectives and requirements for the mackerel fishery on the Atlantic coast of Canada (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Subareas 2 to 5). It also serves to outline the management strategies that will be used to achieve fishery objectives and communicates the basic information on the fishery and its governance. Furthermore, the IFMP sets-out the framework of a common understanding of the basic “rules” for the sustainable management of the fisheries resource.

This IFMP has been developed as an evergreen document, meaning that it is written in such a way as to be relevant over a long period of time, with no fixed end date. All IFMPs require regular updating to address current developments, new information, and varying pressures on the fishery resource. This IFMP was last approved on: October 2022.

This IFMP is not a legally binding instrument which can form the basis of a legal challenge. The IFMP can be modified at any time and does not fetter the Minister’s discretionary powers set out in the Fisheries Act. It is intended to meet any obligations under treaties or land claims agreements. Furthermore, the Minister can, for reasons of conservation or for any other valid reasons, modify any provision of the IFMP in accordance with the powers granted pursuant to the Fisheries Act.

Note: IFMPs may vary slightly from region to region in order to provide flexibility and adaptability to unique fishery and regional requirements.

1 Governance

The Department engages with industry, Indigenous groups and communities, and stakeholder groups to create IFMPs and determine how to best manage the fishery. The duty to consult with relevant interests on the proposed IFMP has been incorporated into planning activities since the earliest stages of the planning process for this IFMP. A number of activities were used to involve fishery rights holders, Indigenous groups and communities, and other stakeholders, which include: discussions through the advisory process, rebuilding plan working group meetings, online correspondences; providing information and opportunity to review and comment on the draft plan.

DFO holds consultations at least every second year, or more often if needed, on Atlantic mackerel issues through the Atlantic Mackerel Advisory Committee (AMAC). This Atlantic-wide Committee provides the main forum for representatives of industry, provincial governments, Indigenous organizations, environmental non-governmental organizations and other relevant groups to provide input into the development of management measures for the mackerel fishery.

The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans delegates the authority for some approvals to national or regional staff but continues to retain final authority for fisheries management decision making.

The fishery is governed by a suite of legislation, policy and regulations including but not limited to those noted below.

Fisheries Act
Atlantic Fishery Regulations (AFR), 1985
Fishery (General) Regulations, 1993
Oceans Act, 1996
Species at Risk Act, 2002
Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, 1985
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Act, 1985
Atlantic Fisheries Restructuring Act, 1985
Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations, 1993
Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for Eastern Canada, 1996
Sustainable Fisheries Framework: Conservation and Sustainable Use Elements

Precautionary Approach policy
Policy on New Fisheries for Forage Species
Sensitive Benthic Areas policy
By-catch policy

2 Fishery overview

2.1 Type of fishery

Currently, the northern contingent supports an important commercial, bait, recreational, and Indigenous Food Social and Ceremonial (FSC) fisheries in the five eastern Canadian provinces (Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization – NAFO - subareas 2, 3, 4, and part of 5) in spring, summer, and fall (Fig. 1). During the winter, an unquantified but significant proportion of the northern contingent overwinters in American waters and some are harvested in the commercial fishery in U.S. waters (NAFO subareas 5 and 6).

Figure 1: A map showing NAFO Subareas and Divisions. The northern contingent population of Atlantic mackerel (*Scomber scombrus*) is managed within Canadian waters. Source: *©Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization*

The commercial mackerel fishery in North America dates back to the 1600s but landings were only regularly recorded as of the early 1800s. Atlantic mackerel was primarily a food fishery throughout the 1800s and was originally fished with beach seines, nets, and hand lines. The fishery grew rapidly after the development of improved salting techniques in the 1820s. Catches increased after the purse seine fishing gear was developed in the early 1850s and came to dominate the fishery by the 1870s. From 1803-1900, the mean combined Canadian and U.S. catches were around 34 500 t annually, reaching a high of around 106 000 t in 1884. Total catches declined substantially near the end of the 19th century as American vessels were gradually denied access to Canadian fishing grounds. In the 1920s, catches in both Canada and the U.S. increased, induced by power-driven mobile gear harvesting.

A large offshore foreign fleet, primarily from Eurasian countries, fished in waters off North America from 1961 until 1978, in NAFO Division 3Ps and subareas 4, 5, and 6. Between 1970 and 1976, total catches of mackerel were upward of 240 000 t, reaching a maximum of nearly 420 000 t in 1973. Following the imposition of the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zones by the U.S. and Canada, total catches dropped as the foreign fleets no longer had access to mackerel within those areas. However, catches by foreign fleets persisted in Canadian waters until 2004 as allocations were given to foreign vessels. France (St. Pierre & Miquelon) remains the only foreign fleet that still captures mackerel in Subdivision 3 and 4. These landings are very low and mainly landed as bycatch in other fisheries. During the 1980s and 1990s, landings by Canadian vessels were relatively stable and averaged around 22 000 t per year. Canadian landings reached a record high of 55 726 t in 2005 due to the marked increase in fishing effort by small and large seiners on the east and west coasts of Newfoundland (divisions 3KL and 4R) and the presence of an exceptional 1999 year class. From 2000 to 2010, landings averaged 40 498 t. This was followed by a large drop in landings, reaching a low of 4 272 t in 2015. This decline was accompanied by poor recruitment over several years, and the loss of mackerel over 7 years old from the population. Nominal landings from 2017-2021 were 9 679 t, 10 905 t, 8 628 t, 7 835 t, and 4 326 t, respectively. The TACs were 10 000 t from 2017-2018 and 8 000 t from 2019-2020. In 2021, the TAC was 4 000 t, which represented a 50 percent reduction from 2020. In 2022, the commercial and bait fisheries were closed due to results of the 2021 stock assessment which found that Atlantic mackerel declined further into the critical zone, the age structure has collapsed, and fishing mortality is a significant influence on stock status. The stock has been in or near the critical zone for the past ten years.

In DFO Maritimes, Gulf, Québec, and Newfoundland and Labrador regions (NAFO subareas 2, 3, 4, and part of 5 ), several hundred commercial fishers participate in the Atlantic mackerel fishery on a competitive basis. They fish mainly inshore using gillnets, jiggers, handlines, seines, traps and weirs, depending on the region and the time of year. The majority of landings occur between June and October.

Up to 1990, the three provinces with the largest landings were Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec. In the 1990s, the fisheries in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Nova Scotia were predominant. Since 2000, however, landings by fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador have exceeded those of other provinces by a large margin. In fact, annual landings in that province exceeded 40 000 t three times between 2004 and 2010, representing 80% of total Canadian landings during that period.

Prior to the early 2000s, gillnets, jiggers and traps accounted for the majority of Canadian mackerel catches. The majority of catches from the mid-2000’s on have been by the small (<19.8 m) and large (>19.8 m) seiners, which were used primarily in Newfoundland and Labrador. Between 2002 and 2007, small seine landings ranged from 10 833 t to 29 161 t, and large seine landings from 6 074 t to 14 645 t. In more recent years, small seiners (purse, tuck and bar) have landed the majority of the catch in the commercial fishery.

Recreational fishing for Atlantic mackerel is practiced throughout Eastern Canada. Under existing regulations, a person may engage in recreational fishing for Atlantic mackerel by angling and no licence is required. Regulatory amendments to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 were published in May 2021 to limit recreational fishing while still allowing the opportunity to fish recreationally for mackerel. These amendments establish a yearly close time from January 1 to March 31, set a daily personal limit (20 fish) for recreational purposes, limit gear to 5 fishing lines with a maximum of 6 hooks per line, and set a new minimum size. Better knowledge of catches, including putting limits on recreational catches, will support rebuilding of the stock.

Fishing for bait is authorized by licence in all regions. Harvests under the bait licence are for personal use by the harvester and are not permitted to be sold, traded or given away. Bait is used for fisheries such as tuna, lobster and crab.

Atlantic mackerel are culturally significant to Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada. There are Indigenous communities that hold commercial communal fishing licences for Atlantic mackerel. There are also FSC Agreements between Indigenous groups and DFO that include access to mackerel for FSC purposes.

2.2 Participants

In the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec (NAFO Subareas 2 to 4), approximately 7 800 total commercial licences with 459 active licences, and 7 067 bait licences (i.e., for personal use) with 358 active were issued for the mackerel fishery in 2021 (Fig 2). Harvesters fish mainly inshore using gillnets, automatic jiggers (mechanical device), handlines, tuck seine, purse seines and traps. The type of gear used varies according to the region and time of the year.

Included in the number of commercial licences are communal commercial mackerel licences issued to Indigenous organizations.

Figure 2
DFO Region	Number of licences in 2021
DFO Region	Mackerel Wiers	Handline	Gillnet	Trapnet	Mobile seiners <65’ (<19.8m)	Mobile seiners >65’ (>19.8m)	Personal Use Bait Licences^a	Total
Quebec	0	32	736(Gillnet +Handline)	21	20^b	0	891	1 700
Newfoundland and Labrador	0	1 779 (Includes gillnet, trapnet, tuck seine)			259		2 421	4 459
Gulf	0	470	2 495	20	0	1	2 389	5 375
Maritimes	38	168 handline only	1 693 gillnet & handline; (575 of those gillnet only)	183	40	0	1 366	3320^c
Regional bait licences include multiple species (e,g., herring, mackerel, Winter flounder) Quebec Region 14 licence holders also have access to area 14 This number represents the count of unique license numbers across all gear types. Some licenses are associated with multiple gear types.

2.3 Location and seasonality of the fishery

The Atlantic mackerel fishery occurs throughout the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec. A map of Fishing Areas 3 to 21 is shown in Figure 3.

**Figure 3: Mackerel Fishing Areas Map**

Mackerel generally arrives in southwestern Nova Scotia in April and May. It arrives in Cape Breton in early June and enters the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence before spreading toward the northern gulf of St-Lawrence and around the Newfoundland and Labrador coast. Spring mackerel migration generally ends in early July. Migration out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence begins in September and the fishery can continue into October and even November on the west and east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Southwest Nova Scotia, a small trapnet fishery takes place in April as mackerel migrates into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. At that point, immature mackerel are present in the immediate vicinity of Cape Breton and St. Margaret’s Bay near Halifax. However, the majority of fishing activity starts primarily in June and July, with gillnet and trap fisheries in Nova Scotia and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Most nets are fixed, except for a drift fishery in Baie-des-Chaleurs and in the southern part of the Gulf. Later during the summer from August to November, harvesters carry out a handline fishery in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, Nova Scotia, and a purse seine fishery on the west and east coasts of Newfoundland, the north shore of Québec and in Cape Breton.

3 Situational analysis and key fishery issues

3.1 Stock biology, status and environmental conditions

3.1.1 Biological synopsis

Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus L.) is a widely distributed, transboundary, small, pelagic, marine fish species found in both the Northeast Atlantic Ocean (Europe) and the Northwest Atlantic Ocean (North America). The Northwest Atlantic population is found in the coastal waters from North Carolina to Labrador (Fig. 1). They overwinter in deeper, warmer waters at the edge of the continental shelf and migrate inshore during the spring to spawn and then disperse to feed. The Northwest Atlantic population is composed of two contingents (spawning groups; Sette 1950): the southern (U.S.) contingent that spawns both offshore of southern New England and in the western Gulf of Maine in April-May and the northern (Canadian) contingent that spawns primarily in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in June and July. After spawning, northern contingent mackerel undertake an extensive feeding migration throughout Atlantic Canada and Québec waters from July to October, after which they migrate south to the edge of the continental shelf from Sable Island, NS to off the coast of North Carolina in U.S. waters where they mix and overwinter with the southern contingent.

Atlantic mackerel are schooling fish and prefer a narrow temperature range (7-16 °C). They are also batch spawners, which means they may spawn multiple times in a year including after the main spawning period in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Mackerel spawning occurs in near surface waters of 7°C or warmer (peak: 9-14 °C) and progresses from southern to northern waters during adult migration. Eggs hatch after a few days and larvae grow while consuming zooplankton for about 3 weeks before metamorphosing into juveniles, which can reach a length of 20 cm by November of the first year of growth (Ware and Lambert 1985). Atlantic mackerel typically mature by age 2 or 3 and can live for over 15 years and reach a maximum size of about 45 cm. Recruitment is enhanced when there is a spatio-temporal match between mackerel larvae and their preferred food, as well as when the population structure and dynamics are optimal (maternal condition, SSB, age-structure). The presence of older spawning adults in the population is desirable as they contribute a greater amount of higher quality eggs compared to smaller younger spawning adults (Ware 1977).

Migration routes for the highly migratory Atlantic mackerel are not fully understood, as tagging studies can be challenging to perform on this species (the fish are sensitive to injury, including through being tagged). It has been suggested that mackerel may come up along the western side of Newfoundland through the Strait of Belle Isle (NAFO 4R) or the south of Newfoundland, but other routes are possible and multiple routes may be used by different fish at different times. Ultimately, mackerel will go where there are relatively better environmental conditions (i.e., more food available and better temperature). They do this to put on weight to survive the winter and to spawn the following year.

3.1.2 Stock assessment

The northern contingent (or ‘Canadian’) mackerel stock is assessed bi-annually using a censored catch-at-age model. Key data sources include landing statistics, catch-at-age structure, and an egg production index. The model provides estimates for reference points, the spawning stock biomass (SSB), and exploitation rate. In accordance with the Precautionary Approach Framework, the limit reference point (LRP) and upper stock reference (USR) for this stock are set at 40% and 80% of SSBref, respectively. SSBref is determined based on F40%, a commonly used fishing mortality (F) reference point for small pelagic fish as a proxy for FMSY.

Atlantic mackerel has been assessed as being in, or near, the Critical Zone since 2011. The main factors hindering the recovery of the northern contingent are the low SSB and high fishing mortality from the commercial, bait, and recreational fisheries in Canada and the U.S. Poor recruitment caused by low SSB and high F is exacerbated by the collapsed age structure of the stock, lower maternal condition, and lower availability of food for both larvae and adults.

During the 2021 stock assessment, the 2020 SSB was estimated to be at 58% of the LRP. The last recruitment event was in 2015, but fish belonging to this cohort represented only about 7% of the SSB in 2020. There are no signs of any notable recruitment in recent years. Estimated fully selected (fish aged 5-10+) exploitation rate in 2020 was 74%, which remained above the reference level of 51% (F40%). However, the fishery is now concentrated on fish aged 2-5 (exploitation rate of 56%).

Short-term projections (3 years) under different recruitment scenarios indicated that the probability of the surpassing the LRP by 2023 varies from 29% at a TAC of 10 000 t to 58% at a TAC of 0 t.

3.1.3 Ecosystem considerations

The Northwest Atlantic ecosystem is changing (DFO 2020; Galbraith et al. 2020; Blais et al. 2019). Surface and bottom water temperatures have increased steadily across all of the northern contingent’s habitat since the late 1990s (Bernier et al. 2018). Zooplankton biomass, particularly that of Calanus finmarchicus, Atlantic mackerel’s preferred prey species, has also generally decreased throughout the Northwest Atlantic over the last decade (Bernier et al. 2018; DFO 2020) with some regional increases observed in recent years (DFO 2021). Mackerel recruitment is driven by multiple interacting and often fine-scale processes. The spatio-temporal match with copepods is more important for recruitment than the overall abundance of this prey and temperature will drive some of these patterns. Temperature and other environmental factors such as food availability also affect mackerel migration patterns and life history traits (e.g., Overholtz et al. 2011). Importantly, populations with relatively low biomass, such as Atlantic mackerel, may be less resilient to environmental changes.

Atlantic mackerel, like other small pelagic fishes, also play a critical role in the ecosystem by occupying central positions in aquatic food webs. That is, they are one of the key species for the transfer of energy from lower trophic levels (e.g., zooplankton) to higher order predators including a large range of fish (e.g., bluefin tuna, marine mammals, and sea birds (especially gannets)). Atlantic mackerel are not considered the major prey source of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus; e.g., Bowen and Harrison 1994, 2006); however, this conclusion is based on data available from only a small spatio-temporal range. Because of the central position of Atlantic mackerel in food web, variation in their abundance may affect both their prey and predators, although the magnitude of their impact for grey seals may be minimal compared to other small pelagic species (e.g., Beck et al. 2007; Hammill et al. 2007).

3.1.4 Precautionary approach (PA) framework

The PA framework requires that a harvest strategy be incorporated into respective fisheries management plans to keep the removal rate moderate when the stock status is healthy, to promote rebuilding when stock status is low, and to ensure a low risk of serious or irreversible harm to the stock. It also requires a rebuilding plan when a stock reaches low levels.

In general, the precautionary approach in fisheries management is about being cautious when scientific knowledge is uncertain, and not using the absence of adequate scientific information as a reason to postpone action or failure to take action to avoid serious harm to fish stocks or their ecosystem. This approach is widely accepted as an essential part of sustainable fisheries management.

Applying the precautionary approach to fisheries management decisions entails establishing a harvest strategy that:

identifies three stock status zones – healthy, cautious, and critical – according to upper stock and limit reference points;
sets the removal rate at which fish may be harvested within each stock status zone;
adjusts the removal rate according to fish stock status variations (i.e., spawning stock biomass or another index/metric relevant to population productivity), based on pre-agreed decision rules.

Respectively, the Limit Reference Point (LRP) and the Upper Stock Reference Point (USR) for Atlantic mackerel are defined as 40% and 80% of Spawning Stock Biomass (SSB) at F40%. F40% is considered a proxy for FMSY. In 2020, the estimated SSB was 58% of the LRP.

For stocks in the critical zone, such as Atlantic mackerel, stock growth is promoted and removals are kept to the lowest possible level. A rebuilding plan for Atlantic mackerel has been developed.

3.1.5 Research

A primary goal of the DFO Science branch is to provide high quality knowledge, products and scientific advice on Canadian aquatic ecosystems and living resources, with a vision of safe, healthy, productive waters and aquatic ecosystems. DFO conducts research activities both independently and in collaboration with other organizations.

Current and ongoing research areas for Atlantic mackerel include:

Describing population structure within the Northwest Atlantic and using genomics to discriminate Canadian and U.S. spawned individuals. This distinction will provide information on the proportion of landings that are Canadian-spawned in both Canada and the U.S. to be used in the stock assessment.
Updating fecundity estimates, which are used in the process of converting egg densities to stock biomass. Fecundity has likely to have changed over time given the observed environmental and biological changes associated with this stock. Updated fecundity estimate would improve the estimates being input into the assessment model and assess the impact of uncertainty and variability in fecundity on our perception of the stock.
Although mackerel are not suspected to make up a significant portion of the diet of seals, this concern is often raised by harvesters. To address this concern, DFO Science is further investigating mackerel predation by seals and other sources to help inform future stock assessments.

By providing a greater understanding of population dynamics over space and time for this stock, there may be increased confidence in the stock assessment and new avenues for future research identified.

3.2 Indigenous knowledge

Subsection 2.5(d) of the Fisheries Act enables the Minister to consider Indigenous knowledge of the Indigenous peoples of Canada that has been provided to the Minister. This consideration may be made alongside other considerations.

Indigenous knowledge holders may choose to notify the Minister directly about their Indigenous knowledge, and there are also many opportunities for Indigenous knowledge holders to raise Indigenous knowledge with the department. For example, Indigenous harvesters and organizations have participated in the following DFO processes, also, and additional separate sessions are offered to Indigenous harvesters and organizations though the advisory process:

Atlantic Mackerel Advisory Committee meeting
Rebuilding Plan Working Group
Gulf Small pelagic working group
Gulf Small Pelagic Advisor Advisory committee meeting
Maritimes Mackerel Advisory Committee
Newfoundland 4R Herring Advisory Meeting
Newfoundland 2+3 Herring Advisory Meeting

3.3 Economic and cultural importance of the fishery

3.3.1 Commercial fishery

The value of Atlantic mackerel landings by Canadian harvesters remained relatively stable in the 1990s but increased substantially in the 2000s. Values reached a record high of $25.3M in 2005, with the expansion of the fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador. More recently, since 2016, the total annual landed value for Atlantic mackerel has averaged $9.2M, with a value of $8.9M, or 0.4% of total Canadian fish landed value, in 2020 (Figure 2). Geographically in Canada, between 2016 and 2020, the landed value of the harvest has been distributed between Prince Edward Island (33 per cent), Newfoundland and Labrador (28 per cent), Nova Scotia (22 per cent), Quebec (11 per cent), and New Brunswick (5 per cent). Of the 733 fishing enterprises landing Atlantic mackerel in Canada in 2020, close to two-thirds (65 per cent) of the enterprises fished for lobster as their main species.^{Footnote 1} ^{Footnote 2}

Figure 2 Canada’s Atlantic mackerel landings, 2011-2020

**Source: Department of Fisheries and Oceans (2022). Zonal Interchange File [database]. Ottawa. (accessed March 2, 2022).**
**Note: Regional landings data is used for 2019 Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic mackerel landings value and quantity to correct a reporting error.**

Figure 2 shows a combined line and bar graph which plots the value and quantity of Canada’s Atlantic mackerel landings from 2011 to 2020. The bar graph depicts quantity, measured in thousands of tonnes, and the line graph depicts value, measured in millions of Canadian dollars. The quantity of landings falls from 11.5 thousand tonnes in 2011 to 7.8 thousand tonnes in 2020. The value of landings falls from $10.9M in 2011 to $8.9M in 2020. There is a steep decline in 2012 with quantity plummeting to 6.5 thousand tonnes valued at $5.5M. Between 2011 and 2018, Canada’s Atlantic mackerel landings depict a bowl-shaped trend with value and quantity bottoming out in 2014 and 2015, respectively, then recovering slightly between 2016 and 2018. Since 2018, landings have trended lower with value and quantity settling at $8.9M and 7.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, respectively. Quantity is the lowest in 2015 when it dropped to 4.1 thousand tonnes. Value is the lowest in 2014 when it reached $5.0M.

A significant quantity of Atlantic mackerel harvested commercially is used as a source of bait in other fisheries. Harvesters use mackerel as bait for a wide variety of different commercial species including lobster, crab, tuna, and halibut, which compounds the economic importance of mackerel.

3.3.2 Indigenous fishery

A number of Indigenous communities in Eastern Canada have access to Atlantic mackerel for FSC purposes. For centuries, harvests and use of fish by Indigenous communities has had important food, social and cultural significance and value to Indigenous peoples. When Europeans first arrived in Canada, a number of Indigenous communities were already harvesting mackerel. The reflection of some of these aspects (such as social and cultural significance) in economic metrics and concepts may not be compatible with the holistic perspective that is reflected in Indigenous cultural and social values attached to the species under consideration.

On the commercial communal fishery side, between 2016 and 2020 a total of 17 Indigenous communities held licences for mackerel in Gulf region, ten in Maritimes, nine in Quebec, and three in Newfoundland and Labrador. For privacy reasons, annual landings information has been suppressed due to participation by only a small number of Indigenous groups throughout the years. However, all landed weights and values for Indigenous fisheries are included in total Canadian reported landings.

3.3.3 Recreational fishery

The recreational fishery for mackerel is practiced throughout Eastern Canada by many people, including tourists, at dockside or aboard charter vessels. Although mackerel is not one of the top recreational species caught in Canada overall, DFO’s 2015 Recreational Fishing survey found it was one of the top three species caught recreationally in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Atlantic mackerel caught in the recreational fishery cannot be sold and there is a general lack of data related to the landings and associated value of the recreational fishery.^{Footnote 3}

3.3.4 Trade profile

In 2020, Canada’s mackerel exports were valued at $0.39M, representing less than 0.01 per cent of Canada’s total fish and seafood export value.^{Footnote 4} Newfoundland and Labrador ($0.19M) and New Brunswick ($0.17M) shared the majority (91 per cent by value) of Canadian mackerel exports. In most other provinces, landings from the commercial fishery are mostly retained for bait in other domestic fisheries.

Between 2016 and 2020, Canada’s total export value of mackerel has seen a general and notable trend downwards, with considerable fluctuation in the intervening years (Figure 3). The sudden drop in value has been almost entirely accounted for by equivalent drops in the quantity of mackerel exported.

Figure 3 Canada’s Atlantic mackerel exports, 2016-2020

**Source: Fisheries and Oceans Canada. *Canadian Trade*. Last updated February 9, 2022. (accessed March 2, 2022).**
**Adapted from Statistics Canada, International Trade Data. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.**

Figure 3 shows a combined line and bar graph which plots the value and quantity of Canada’s Atlantic mackerel exports from 2016 to 2020. The bar graph depicts quantity, measured in thousands of tonnes, and the line graph depicts value, as measured in millions of Canadian dollars. Between 2016 and 2020, Canada’s total export value of mackerel shows a downward trend. The value of mackerel exports fell from $5.2M in 2016 to $0.4M in 2020, and the quantity of mackerel exports fell from 1.5 thousand tonnes to 0.2 thousand tonnes, respectively. Both mackerel export value and quantity dropped to their lowest levels in 2020.

Mackerel does not traditionally undergo significant processing before shipment. Generally, mackerel is frozen whole for delivery in both the bait and food markets for domestic or export sales. Recent years have witnessed an increase in the exports of prepared and preserved mackerel products. In 2020, approximately half of Canada’s mackerel exports were frozen (49 per cent), with the remaining exports being primarily prepared or preserved (47 per cent).^{Footnote 5}

The United States has consistently been a key export market for Canadian mackerel. Other key export markets in the last three years include Bulgaria and China.^{Footnote 6}^{Footnote 7}

3.4 Monitoring

Fishery monitoring means observing and understanding the fishery and its dynamics. Monitoring is carried out by harvesters, third party at-sea observers designated by DFO, dockside monitors (in Canada) and DFO staff. Both the level and pattern (e.g., random, targeted) of monitoring, as well as affordability and practicality of implementation, need to be considered when designing a monitoring program so results can be extrapolated legitimately to the operation of the entire fishery. A variety of tools and best practices are used to meet fishery monitoring requirements. New approaches and technologies are being considered and tested, such as electronic logbooks, GPS tags for gear, and cameras. In collaboration with fishery participants, DFO will assess the risks and management requirements of the Atlantic mackerel fishery, review the efficiency of the current fishery monitoring and reporting program, and make changes as required to support sustainable harvesting practices.

Catch monitoring and reporting of all landings was identified as a concern by science in stock assessments dating back a decade. The level of monitoring still varies by DFO Region for the commercial Atlantic mackerel fishery but there are mechanisms now in place for all commercial fisheries to improve reporting under commercial or bait licences . Please refer to Appendix 5.6 for information on specific catch monitoring tools by Region.

Monitoring measures adopted in recent years include introduction of additional dockside monitoring in Regions where they previously had none, 100% hail-in and increased frequency of reporting. However, unaccounted for mortalities (bait, recreational, discards, illegal fishing) remains a concern.

The majority of commercial landings are reported through logbooks and there is mandatory third-party verification using dockside monitoring for more than 60 percent of all landings.

Catches from the recreational mackerel fishing do not appear in DFO official statistics; however, amendments to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 to include putting limits on recreational catches and a close time were established in 2021.

An electronic logs (e-logs) project was initiated in the mackerel fishery in 2018 in the Quebec Region to provide more accurate and timely reporting of catch and effort information. It is anticipated that the e-logs program will be introduced in other Regions over the coming years to further improve the timeliness and accuracy of catch monitoring capabilities in all DFO Regions.

3.5 Aquatic species at risk

A number of Canada’s wildlife species are considered to be at risk. Ensuring protection and promoting recovery of at-risk species is a national priority. To this end, Canada developed the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and a number of complementary programs to promote recovery and protection of species considered to be extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern under SARA or identified as such by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Further information on SARA can be obtained online.

The Atlantic mackerel fishery may interact with the following SARA-listed species (See Table in Appendix 5.8 ):

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) – endangered;
Northern wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus) – threatened;
Spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) – threatened;
Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) – special concern;
White shark (Carcharodon carcharias) – endangered;
North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) – endangered;
Northern bottlenose whale (Hyperoodon ampullatus) – endangered;
Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens) – special concern.

3.6 Marine conservation

In August 2019, the Government of Canada surpassed its milestone of protecting 10% of Canada’s marine and coastal areas by 2020, a target which is a reflection of Canada’s United Nation Convention on Biological Diversity Aichi Targets commitments, collectively referred to as Canada’s marine conservation targets. The Government of Canada further committed domestically to protecting 25% by 2025, and working towards 30% by 2030.

More information on the background and drivers for Canada’s marine conservation targets is available. To meet our marine conservation target, Canada is establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and “other effective area-based conservation measures” (“Other Measures”), in consultation with industry, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties. An overview of these tools, including a description of the role of fisheries management measures that qualify as Other Measures is available.

3.7 Compliance and enforcement

The Conservation and Protection (C&P) Program promotes and maintains compliance with legislation, regulations and management measures implemented to achieve the conservation and sustainable use of Canada’s aquatic resources and the protection of species at risk, fish habitat and oceans.

The program is delivered through a balanced regulatory management and enforcement approach including:

promoting compliance through education and shared stewardship;
monitoring, control and surveillance activities;
management of major cases/special investigations in relation to complex compliance issues; and
use of intelligence supplied through the National Fisheries Intelligence Service (NFIS).

3.7.1 Regional compliance program delivery

C&P promotes compliance with the management measures by the following means:

C&P patrols conducting Dockside and At-Sea Inspections;
Aerial Surveillance;
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS);
National Fisheries Intelligence Service (NFIS) data;
At-Sea Observer deployments to the commercial fishing fleet; and
Dockside Observer deployments for mackerel landings.

C&P maintains a strong monitoring, control and surveillance field presence. An integrated approach is taken using existing and new technologies and strategies for the best use of available resources. Integration of VMS and the at-sea observer program information, closer monitoring of the dockside monitoring program and enhanced strategic responses are used to address compliance issues.

More specifically, compliance activities include:

Fishery Officers activities:

Catch compliance inspections (e.g., minimum size, logbooks);
Fishing gear inspections (.e.g., gill nets, hydraulic or mechanical reels and handlines);
Verification of landings and dockside weighing;
Licence checks; and
Regular patrols to ensure compliance during both open and closed seasons.

During at-sea and dockside patrols, Fishery officers conduct inspections aboard vessels to check mackerel fishing gear and catches. Fishery officers also do licence verifications during sea and dockside patrols.
Dockside and at-sea observers submit incident reports of possible non-compliance. C&P reviews and investigates as needed.

3.7.2 Consultation

National compliance framework (Pillar 1)

Shared stewardship and education are encouraged through emphasis on the importance of communication with the community at large including:

Presentations to client/stakeholder groups, Indigenous organizations, including school visits or community programs.
Informal interactions with all parties involved in the fishery on the wharf, during patrols or in the community to promote conservation.
Participation in enforcement advisory meetings with industry to determine expectations in relation to monitoring, control and surveillance activities.
Participation in enforcement round tables with the industry in order to establish and maintain an ongoing relationship and partnership with stakeholder representatives from all sectors of the communities interested in the conservation and protection of marine resources and habitat.
Participation in consultations and annual meetings with First Nations and Indigenous Organizations.

3.7.3 Compliance performance

C&P spent a total of approximately 11,100 hours over a five (5) year period from 2015 to 2019 which resulted in 426 violations. Below is the break down of the types of violations:

Types of violations
Type	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	Total
Registration/licence	6	16	13	114	30	179
Species/size limit	3	9	16	27	10	65
Other legislation (i.e. Criminal Code, Wildlife Regulations)	21	3	16	4	7	51
Reporting	4	3	8	5	22	42
Illegal buy/sell/possess	5	4	11	8	10	38
Area/time	0	0	1	8	18	27
Gear – illegal/used illegally	3	3	1	3	5	15
Gear conflict	0	3	0	1	0	4
Illegal transportation	0	0	0	1	2	3
Assault/obstruction	0	0	1	1	0	2
Total	42	41	67	172	104	426
*the data abstracts above are from an operational system which is continually being updated and therefore subject to change

3.7.4 Current compliance issues

Efforts for the duration of this integrated fisheries management plan will focus on the following identified compliance issues:

Administrative compliance;
By-catch of herring/squid in mackerel fishery;
By-catch of salmon/gaspereau in mackerel gillnets;
Excess bait, and use of bait licence for commercial purposes.
Catch reporting;
Discarding in port and at sea;
Fishing after closures; and
Fishing beyond quotas/daily limits.

Objectives, strategy and performance

DFO strives to manage the Atlantic mackerel fishery based on the principles of stock conservation and sustainable harvest, as well as ecosystem health and sustainability. In the most recent stock assessment, Atlantic mackerel is assessed in the critical zone. The 2020 SSB was estimated to be at 58% of the Limit Reference Point (LRP) of the Precautionary Approach, the lowest observed in the time series. The Fisheries Act (1985) directs DFO to implement measures to maintain major fish stocks at, or above, the level necessary to promote the sustainability of the stock, taking into account the biology of the fish and the environmental conditions affecting the stock. Further, when in the critical zone, a rebuilding plan must be in place as outlined in DFO’s guidance for the development of rebuilding plans under the Precautionary Approach Framework. A rebuilding plan for Atlantic mackerel was completed in 2020, however, the rebuilding plan will be revised given the short-term rebuilding objectives in the plan were not met and further refinement is necessary to bring the plan into alignment with the April 4, 2022 amendments to the Fisheries Act. The current rebuilding plan will be used to guide management actions until a new version of the rebuilding plan is completed.

4 Objectives, strategy, and performance

4.1 Short-term objectives

4.1.1 Stock conservation

Harvest levels will be set at, levels in keeping with the principles of the Precautionary Approach and the Atlantic mackerel’s current status in the critical zone.

4.1.2 Ecosystem health and sustainability

Ecosystem health is essential for effective fisheries management. The sustainability of mackerel as a species within the food web (as both a prey species and consumer) will strengthen the long-term health of the ecosystem.

4.1.3 Rebuilding plan and new management measures

The Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Plan Working Group was established in December 2017 to bring representatives from DFO, provincial governments, industry stakeholders, Indigenous partners and others with an interest in the fishery together to improve the management and promote the long-term sustainability of the stock. Short-term and long-term objectives were developed, in collaboration with stakeholders, through the Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Plan Working Group and in consultation with the Atlantic Mackerel Advisory Committee.

The short-term objective for this stock is to limit the probability of Atlantic mackerel spawning stock biomass (SSB) declining from one year to the next (i.e., maintain a positive growth trajectory). In line with this short-term objective, the Department has implemented a number of new management measures to maximize future benefits of this resource. These management measures included a 20% reduction in total allowable catch in 2019 and a 50% reduction in 2021, enhanced measures to protect spawners, improvements in catch monitoring and reporting, proposed amendments to limit recreational catches, and increased funding for science. In addition, a freeze on the issuance of new commercial mackerel licences for fixed and mobile gear was implemented in July 2017 to eliminate the introduction of any new or additional fishing pressures. This includes the prohibition of participants adding new gear types to existing commercial licences that could result in increased capacity. It is expected that these rebuilding measures will improve understanding of the stock and better account for removals of Atlantic mackerel.

Progress toward rebuilding in the short term is expected to be incremental as impacts from these management changes likely won’t be realized for several years. The short-term management approach adopted in this plan will promote rebuilding for this fishery by enhancing management of the resource and improving science, while allowing limited participation in the fishery.

Progress towards meeting the short-term objective of a positive trajectory in the SSB in relation to the LRP will be evaluated over a 5-year period. Specifically, progress was assessed in 2021, where the short-term objective of stock growth was not met. Given this result, the Rebuilding Plan objectives will be re-evaluated over the short and long term.

4.2 Long-term objectives

4.2.1 Stock conservation and sustainable harvest

Conservation and the long-term sustainability of the Atlantic mackerel stock is one of DFO’s most important objectives. It is vital that the stock grow and provide benefits for all stakeholders in the short and long-term. As such, DFO will work with all stakeholders to ensure this objective is achieved and that the Atlantic mackerel stock supports an economically viable and sustainable fishery.

The Precautionary Approach (PA) framework outlines that the USR, which defines the boundary between the Cautious and Healthy zone and can perform two functions:

The USR is the threshold below which removals must be progressively reduced to avoid reaching the Limit Reference Point (LRP) (SAR 2006-023; DFO 2009)
The USR can be a “target reference point (TRP) determined by productivity objectives for the stock, broader biological considerations and social and economic objectives for the fishery” (DFO 2009).

Harvest levels will be set that allow the stock to grow and consideration will be given to the level of recruitment in this stock. DFO will continue to work with industry to ensure adequate monitoring of all mackerel catches and future sustainability of the stock by managing this stock into the healthy zone.

4.2.2 Long-term rebuilding

The Rebuilding Plan’s long-term objective for this stock is to rebuild Atlantic mackerel out of the critical zone. Specifically, growing the SSB above the LRP. While the goal remains to rebuild the stock above the LRP within 10 years (by 2030) with a high probability, projections for rebuilding out of the critical zone predict that it may take longer than 10 years even with no commercial fishing. This is, in part, because the U.S. and Canada manage the stocks independently and U.S. removals may take an important fraction of the Canadian stock even in the absence of a Canadian commercial fishery. In addition, recruitment remains low with the last strong year class in 2015. Note that the long-term objectives of rebuilding will be updated to reflect new science in 2023 and incorporated in a revised rebuilding plan.

4.2.3 Stewardship

The shared stewardship management objective recognizes that industry participants and all stakeholders must become involved in fisheries management policy development and the decision-making process. It also recognizes that achievement of the conservation objective requires that governments, resource users and other stakeholders share responsibility for the implementation of fisheries management decisions and for their outcomes.

4.3 Management issues

4.3.1 Stock status

The status of Atlantic mackerel has been of concern for a number of years. Atlantic mackerel has been assessed as being in, or near, the critical zone since 2011. Despite subsequently reduced catch levels and increasingly stringent management measures, the stock is still in the critical zone. Building the stock out of the critical zone is the primary focus of the management of the fishery.

4.3.2 Reduction in fishing mortality

The Canadian Atlantic mackerel fishery is a competitive fishery, with an Atlantic-wide TAC that is reviewed every one or two years and adjusted where necessary in accordance with scientific advice and following consultations with industry and other interests. There are no sharing arrangements in place whether by province, region, gear type or vessel size.

The TAC is the primary control on fishery removals of Atlantic mackerel. The TAC was 75 000 t in 2009 and in 2010 reduced to 60 000 t per year with further reductions to 36 000 for 2012 and 2013. Catches reached a high of approximately 55 000 t per year between 2004 and 2007 inclusive but dropped to an average of less than 37 000 t per year from 2008-2010 and significantly declined to 11 401 t in 2011. At no time during the period from 1987 to 2014 did catches reach the established TAC level. In the past 6 years, the TAC has ranged between 8 000 t and 10 000 t per year. In the 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020 fishery, the TAC was reached and the fishery closed in the fall in each of those years. In 2017, the fishery was temporary closed in mid-November to allow a review of landings which were nearing TAC and there was only limited activity following the re-opening so the full TAC was not reached.

In 2019, the department reduced the TAC by 20% to 8 000 t in line with the 2019 stock assessment concerns about lack of recruitment in the stock. In 2021, the department reduced the TAC by 50% to 4, 000 t. The results of the 2021 stock assessment indicated that the spawning stock biomass was the lowest ever observed and has been in, or near, the critical zone for the past decade. The scientific analyses also indicated that the Atlantic mackerel stock is overfished, the age structure has collapsed, and fishing mortality is a significant influence on stock status. The science shows that by applying this TAC level, the biomass has a 64% chance that it will increase by the time of the next stock assessment in 2023. This reduction in TAC was a necessary step toward rebuilding the stock.

In 2022, the department closed the Atlantic mackerel commercial and bait fisheries. Under Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Precautionary Approach Framework, when a commercially-fished stock is in the critical zone, removals from all sources should be kept to the lowest possible levels. Notably, the commercial and bait harvests make up a large majority of total Atlantic mackerel landings. Fishing has a significant influence on the status of the Atlantic mackerel stock and this closure decision will help protect younger, spawning fish, which are at the lowest level ever observed.

In addition, Atlantic mackerel is an important source of food for many species and plays a critical role in our ecosystem. The department is committed to rebuilding stocks which are in the critical zone. Next steps will be considered following the Atlantic mackerel stock assessment in 2023.

4.3.3 Monitoring of removals

Catch monitoring and reporting of all landings were identified as concerns by science in stock assessments dating back a decade. In recent years, management has focused efforts on improvements to catch monitoring and significant improvements have been made to catch reporting. However, unaccounted for mortalities (bait, recreational, discards, illegal fishing) remains a concern. The Department will continue to build on efforts to improve reporting. Details can be found on the Monitoring section (3.6).

4.3.4 High demand for bait

Mackerel is an important bait source. The high price bait can fetch due to low availability, increases the incentive for illegal fishing. The importance of alternative sources of bait are gaining attention to help alleviate fishing pressure on pelagic stocks, including mackerel.

A federal/provincial working group, co-chaired by DFO, is gathering information from bait suppliers, fishing associations, and the processing industry across Atlantic Canada to examine issues and opportunities related to the supply and demand of bait for various fisheries and alternative baits.

4.3.5 Recreational fishery catches

In the recreational fishery for Atlantic mackerel there is no mechanism for catch reporting. This activity is practiced throughout Eastern Canada by many people, including tourists at wharf or aboard vessels. Uncertainties related to recreational catches are a concern for both fisheries managers and scientists.

Regulatory amendments to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 were published in May 2021 to limit recreational fishing while still allowing the opportunity to fish recreationally for mackerel. These amendments establish a yearly close time from January 1 to March 31, set a daily personal limit (20 fish) for recreational purposes, limit gear to 5 fishing lines with a maximum of 6 hooks per line, and set a new minimum size. Better knowledge of catches, including putting limits on recreational catches, will support rebuilding of the stock. For future consideration, implementation of a recreational fishing licence could provide a mechanism for DFO to obtain data on catches from this fishery sector.

4.3.6 Protecting spawners

A reduction in the removal of juvenile (small) fish aims to increase the productivity of the resource and encourage stock growth. Setting the minimum fish size to L50 allows a minimum of 50 % of the fish to spawn at least once before being targeted by the fishery. The minimum fish size increased from 250 mm to 263 mm in 2014 and another increase to 268 mm in 2019. The latest minimum size was established by the 2019 stock assessment based on the revised L50.

Since 2018, the opening date for the commercial fishery in the southern part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence was moved back from May 15th to June 1 to limit the removal or disturbance of fish before the spawning period in the key spawning area.

Industry stakeholders have recommended further scientific research to study other areas where spawning of Atlantic mackerel could be optimal in light of changing environmental conditions.

4.3.7 Environmental conditions and natural mortality

In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that a spatio-temporal match between mackerel larvae and their preferred food, as well as optimal population structure and dynamics (maternal condition, SSB, age-structure) benefits recruitment. Environmental conditions (mainly temperature and availability of prey when larvae are released into the water column) significantly impact stock productivity and recruitment. Mackerel egg production has been low for over 10 years compared to values seen pre-2010. The last notable recruitment event was in 2015.

Quota reductions implemented since 2010 have resulted in a decrease in fishing mortality in recent years. However, modeling for the mackerel stock conducted in 2019 indicated that the probability of the stock recovering within the next ten years in the complete absence of fishing was low. Concerns have been raised that the main factors causing the decline of the stock are not anthropogenic.

4.3.8 Coordination with the U.S.

As part of a transboundary stock shared with the United States, a portion of northern contingent mackerel overwinter in U.S. waters where they are subject to fishing by U.S. vessels. Preliminary results from ongoing otolith microchemistry studies with U.S. collaborators suggest that in some years approximately 50 per cent of mackerel caught in the U.S. winter fishery may be Canadian-spawned. This level of fishing activity in the U.S. is a concern for the future sustainability of this stock. There are concerns that Canadian rebuilding protections, including a TAC reduction, could prove negligible if many of the same mackerel could still be harvested when they migrate south in the winter months.

Canada has taken strong measures to support mackerel rebuilding and will advocate for our U.S. counterparts to take complementary measures in their waters. In January 2022, the U.S. reduced its 2022 allowable commercial catch (TAC) from 17 312 tonnes to 4 963 tonnes because of conservation concerns highlighted in the U.S. science assessment. While the U.S. and Canada make their own decisions regarding mackerel catch levels in their respective waters, both countries work together to share information and knowledge so that this complex stock is managed responsibly. Going forward, Canada will continue to engage the U.S. on its rebuilding plan for Atlantic mackerel.

There are ongoing Canadian/U.S. projects currently dealing with the question of population discrimination using both genomics and otolith microchemistry. While this stock is not co-managed, both Fisheries and Oceans Canada and U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists have participated in the most recent stock assessments undertaken by both countries and therefore there is a common scientific understanding of stock status in both jurisdictions. Engagement with U.S counterparts on options for increased joint science and the improvement of information sharing on management of the stock has been identified in the rebuilding plan as an important measure to advance rebuilding of this stock.

4.3.9 Scientific research

The Atlantic Mackerel Advisory Committee and Rebuilding Plan Working Group has recommended that more research on the Atlantic mackerel resource is required and industry members have expressed their interest in assisting by providing vessel time, collecting samples, etc. An Atlantic Mackerel Science Working Group with representation from DFO and industry was established in 2020. The purpose of the working group is to identify additional sampling opportunities or sources of data that could contribute to better understanding of mackerel stock dynamics and structure and could be included in subsequent stock assessments.

Current DFO research projects include:

genetic analyses to better understand stock dynamics and improve estimates of the proportion of northern contingent fish being caught by the U.S. fishery,
updating fecundity and total egg production estimates to improve inputs into the stock assessment model, and
investigating mackerel predation by seals and other sources to help inform future stock assessments.

5 Appendices

5.1 Map of mackerel fishing area

Outlines the boundaries for the mackerel fishing areas on Canada’s east coast.

5.2 Management measures – Newfoundland and Labrador region

A. Fishing seasons

In Newfoundland, the scheduled opening date for mackerel in all areas and for all gear types is August 1; however, consideration will be given to an earlier opening date in any area where mackerel appear prior to August 1. As well, in areas where there is an absence of commercial quantities or where there is a potential for a significant bycatch of other species the season may be delayed. Test fisheries may be authorized as a means of determining when the fishery should open.

B. Fishing areas

Fixed gear licences will be valid only for the quota area in which the fish harvester resides or has historically fished (any one of fishing areas 1 to 14).
Mobile gear vessels in Mackerel Fishing Areas 1 to 11 are restricted to fishing these areas.
Mobile gear vessels less than 65’ in Mackerel Fishing Areas 13 and 14 are permitted access to Mackerel Fishing Areas 12 to 14 inclusive.
Mobile gear vessels greater than 65’ in Mackerel Fishing Areas 13 and 14 are permitted access to Mackerel Fishing Areas 12 to 16 inclusive.
Mackerel fishing licences in all areas will be reviewed prior to the opening of the fishing season.

C. Licensing

Commercial

Mackerel fixed gear and purse seine licences are available to fish harvesters who held such a licence in the previous year.

Reissuance (transfer) of purse seine mackerel licences may only occur between the following parties:

Independent Core to Independent Core
Core to Independent Core
Independent Core or Core to Professional Level II as part of a complete Core or Independent Core enterprise. The Professional Level II fish harvesters must be independent in order to qualify.
Professional Level I or II, to Independent Core.

The recipient of a purse seine licence must be a resident of the area of the licence and must hold a commercial fishing vessel registration 40’ LOA or greater. If disposing of an enterprise 40’ LOA or greater for an enterprise less than 40’ LOA, the purse seine licence must remain on the 40’ LOA or greater enterprise.

Since July 2017, a temporary freeze on the issuance of new commercial mackerel licences for fixed and mobile gear was implemented and remains in effect.

All other aspects of licensing will adhere to the provisions of the Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for Eastern Canada.

Bait

Bait licences for mackerel form part of a Regional bait licence that includes herring and blackback (winter flounder). When fishing Mackerel for bait in Areas 1 to 11, you are authorized to set bait nets for Mackerel during the period August 15 to December 31 of the current year, subject to the following: (a) the area which must be fished for bait is the Mackerel fishing area of your Homeport, (b) when the fishery for which bait is a requirement closes all bait nets must be removed from the water immediately. A bait licence authorizes fishing for bait purposes only and fish taken under the authority of a bait license is prohibited from being sold, traded or bartered, or offered for sale, trade, or barter.

While fishing for Mackerel in Areas 1 to 11:

the type of gear permitted is gillnets with a maximum mesh size of 67mm (2.625 inches),
the gillnets must not contain monofilament material in the netting,
a maximum of two (2) gillnets of a length not greater than twenty (20) fathom each can be fished with the total length not to exceed forty (40) fathoms,
the head ropes of the gillnet(s) are to be set at least one (1) fathom below the surface of the water.

D. Fishing gear

To reduce the potential for bycatch of other species (especially salmon), the use of trapnet leaders with a mesh size between 2 and 7 inches will be prohibited. As well, the use of monofilament netting material in trapnet leaders will be prohibited.

The maximum amount of fixed gear permitted to be fished at any one time by a licence holder is limited to 10 gillnets (each net shall not exceed 50 fathoms in length), 2 traps and one bar seine.

Bar seines fitted with rings (i.e. ‘tuck seines’) that allow the bottom and sides of the seine to be hauled or brought together shall not exceed a length of 80 fathoms.

When fishing with a handline or a mechanical device, fishing is restricted to only one of these two fishing methods per fishing trip. A maximum of three handlines or two mechanical devices are permitted and a maximum of 4 single lines are attached with each having a maximum of 25 hooks attached.

E. Other

Core enterprise owners in the fleet sector using 35’ to 64’11" vessels who opt to acquire a larger vessel will continue to operate on the basis of inshore licensing policies applicable to vessels under 65 feet. Replacement with a larger vessel will not result in changes to allocations, fleet shares or access.

5.3 Management measures – Quebec region

A. Fishing seasons

The mackerel fishing season in areas 15 and 16 opens for all gear types on June 1. However, in area 15 where the mackerel shows up later in the year, fishing activities usually occur in July and August. In areas where there is an absence of commercial quantities of mackerel or where there is a potential for a significant bycatch of other species, the opening date for the fishery may be delayed.

B. Fishing areas

Quebec Region mackerel fishing vessels are restricted to the fishing area(s) indicated on the licence. Purse seiners (<65’) are restricted to Areas 15-16. An exception exists near the border between Québec and Labrador where trap licence holders have an access to both areas 15 and 14.

C. Licensing

Before 2018, the Quebec Region mackerel fishery was a limited entry fishery except for the issuance of fixed gear licences which could be issued to any full-time fish harvester who holds a herring fixed gear licence for a vessel less than 15.2 m (50’) LOA. Handline licences was issued to any inshore full-time fish harvester who holds another limited entry licence. Since July 2017, a temporary freeze on the issuance of new commercial mackerel licences for fixed and mobile gear was implemented and remains in effect.

Exploratory purse seine fishery

Seven (7) Fish harvesters held a mackerel exploratory purse seine licence in 2019. These licences are not currently active.

Bait

Mackerel bait fishing licences form part of a generic bait licence that includes herring. These licences are issued to fish harvesters who require bait for their main fishery (for example, lobster, crab, whelk, and fixed gear groundfish). Selling, trading and or bartering any mackerel or herring caught under the authority of a bait licence is not permitted. Licence holders are authorized to fish during the period of validity of their licence conditions, which generally goes from April to December. The maximum weekly quantity of herring or mackerel or of a combination of both species authorized to be caught and retained for bait is 2 270 kg in total and a weekend closure is in place from Friday 11:00 h (EDT) to Sunday 11:00 h (EDT). A maximum of one fishing trip per calendar day is authorized. The monitoring of the bait fishery for herring and mackerel in Quebec Region in currently done through mandatory logbook.

While fishing Mackerel for bait in Areas 15 and 16, the type of gear permitted is gillnets (handline may be authorized as well). A maximum of 3 gillnets of a total length not greater than fifty (50) fathoms can be used. The minimum and maximum mesh sizes authorized are respectively 69.85 mm and 73.025 mm.

D. Fishing gear

The majority of fishing gear authorized is gillnet, handline and mechanical device (jiggers). Trapnet and purse seine are also authorized in area 15.
In order to limit the bycatch of salmon in certain areas, specific provisions have been added to the conditions of licence for those fish harvesters using traps and gillnets.

5.4 Management measures – Gulf region

A. Fishing Seasons

In the Gulf Region, the scheduled opening date for mackerel for all gear types is June 1 and the closing date is December 31 or until the quota is caught. In areas where there is an absence of commercial quantities of mackerel or where there is a potential for a significant bycatch of other species, the opening date for the fishery may be delayed.

B. Fishing areas

Fixed and mobile gear licences are valid only for mackerel fishing area (MFA) 16.

C. Licensing (region to update)

Commercial

A temporary freeze on the issuance of new commercial mackerel licences for fixed and mobile gear was implemented in July 2017 and remains in effect.

All other aspects of licensing will adhere to the provisions of the Commercial Fisheries Licensing Policy for the Gulf Region.

Bait

Mackerel bait fishing licences form part of a generic bait licence that includes herring. These licences are issued to fish harvesters who require bait for their main fishery (for example, lobster, crab, tuna and fixed gear groundfish). Selling, trading and or bartering any mackerel or herring caught under the authority of a bait licence is not permitted. Licence holders are authorized to fish during the period of validity of their licence conditions, which generally goes from April to December. The maximum weekly quantity of herring or mackerel or of a combination of both species authorized to be caught and retained for bait is 2 270 kg in total and a weekend closure is in place from Friday 11:00 h (EDT) to Sunday 11:00 h (EDT). A maximum of one fishing trip per calendar day is authorized. Catch estimates must be reported by hail-ins to a dockside monitoring company. A bait document must be maintained and submitted to a dockside monitoring company within seven (7) days following the end of each month when bait fishing occurred. The final data entry must be completed by December 31, 2021.

While fishing Mackerel for bait in 16, the type of gear permitted is gillnets (handline may be authorized as well). A maximum of 3 gillnets for a maximum total length of 50 fathoms with a minimum mesh size of 57.1 mm from April 15 until June 30 and 66.7 mm in July, September and October are authorized.

D. Fishing gear

Fishing gear is restricted to gillnets, trapnets, handline, mechanical devices and purse seines. Only one gear type may be used on a fishing trip. Harvesters using mechanical devices or handlines are restricted to two mechanical devices or three handlines, and a mechanical device is limited to a maximum of four single lines, with a maximum of 100 hooks in the aggregate.

5.5 Management measures – Maritimes region

A. Fishing seasons

The mackerel fishery is primarily active from April to November throughout the Maritimes Region for the weir, trapnet, gillnet and handline gears.

All purse seine licence holders, including the less than 45 feet purse seine mackerel vessels, are permitted to operate from June 1 – Dec 31.

B. Fishing areas

Mobile gear vessels < 45’ are restricted to fishing in Mackerel Fishing Areas 17 to 19 (Cape Breton).

Fixed gear vessels may fish in MFAs 17 to 21.

Mackerel trapnets are located in three management areas - St. Margaret’s Bay (West of Pennant Point to the Bacarro Line); Chedabucto Bay and Aspy Bay (East of Pennant Point); and the Bay of Fundy.

C. Licensing

In general, the Maritimes Region mackerel fishery is a limited entry fishery. Mackerel fixed gear and mobile licences are available to fish harvesters who held such a licence in the previous year.

Since July 2017, a temporary freeze on the issuance of new commercial mackerel licences for fixed and mobile gear was implemented and remains in effect.

Gillnets – Mackerel gillnet licensees are eligible to acquire (stack) other types of mackerel licences by gear, but cannot stack gillnet licences, once stacked these licences are not permitted to be split. Also, there is a temporary freeze for Mackerel gillnet licencees adding a mackerel handline licences.
Handline – There is a temporary freeze on adding mackerel handline licences to existing mackerel licences .
Trapnets – Licencees are eligible to acquire other mackerel licences (e.g. gillnet).
Exploratory mobile gear – An exploratory fishery will be authorized on an annual basis via the issuance of exploratory mackerel licences to existing herring mobile gear licence holders.
Weirs – There is a temporary freeze for weirsin the Bay of Fundy Herring Areas 20 and 21 to be eligible to acquire a mackerel licence to directly fish and retain mackerel.

Bait fishery

Mackerel bait fishing licences form part of a generic bait licence that includes herring. These licences are issued to Maritimes Region fish harvesters who require bait for their main fishery (for example, lobster, crab, whelk, and fixed gear groundfish). Selling, trading and or bartering any mackerel or herring caught under the authority of a bait licence is not permitted. Licence holders are authorized to fish year-round, subject to closed times and closed areas described in the licence conditions. During a bait fishing trip, only one of the following gear types is permitted to be used: (a) a maximum of 2 hand-lines containing no more than 36 hooks total, or (b) up to three set/fixed gill nets totaling no more than 90 fathoms in length with a maximum mesh size of 83 mm. Additionally, it is prohibited to fish for bait with a gill net that contains monofilament in the netting from May 1 to July 15. The maximum quantity of mackerel authorized to be caught and retained per fishing trip is 907 kg in total and only one mackerel fishing trip is authorized per calendar day. The personal use bait fishery for herring and mackerel in Maritimes Region currently has monthly reporting requirements.

D. Fishing gear

Fish harvesters will be restricted to the type of gear that appeared in previously held licence or, in the case of change of ownership, the type of gear permitted by the previous licence holder.

Mackerel gillnet licensees will be limited to designated set or drift gillnets as identified in their licences.

In the case of set gillnets, a person is limited to the quantity of gear that appeared in previously held licence or, in the case of change of licence holder, the quantity of gear permitted by the previous licence holder.

All transfers of mackerel trapnet sites, proposals for new berth sites, alteration of existing sites, changes in gear composition, size, length and/or direction of leaders, will require a formal reapplication to the appropriate DFO, Area Office by the licensee.

Mobile gear > 65’ – vessels may not exceed 125’ LOA and must be Canadian registered.
Mobile gear < 45’ – are limited to purse seine gear only.
Trapnets – licensees are eligible to register up to a maximum of five trapnet licences. Grandfather provisions apply for licence holder that hold more than five licences as of April 30, 1997.

5.6: Regional catch monitoring table

Region	Mackerel Fishing Area	Gear Type (Seiner, Trapnet, Gillnet, Handline, Wier/ Carrier)	Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP) or Catch Monitoring Program (CMP)						Season
Region	Mackerel Fishing Area		DM (%)	Hail Out (Y/N)	Hail In (Y/N)	Logbook (Y/N)	Observer Coverage (%) (Y/N)	VMS (Y/N)	Season
QC	MFA 16 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Gillnet, Handline, Mechanical device	0%	N	Y	Y	N	N	June 1 to December 31
QC	MFA 15 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Gillnet, Handline, Mechanical device	0%	N	N	Y	N	N	June 1 to December 31
QC	MFA 15 Mobile Gear < 65 fleet	Purse seine	0%	N	N	Y	N	Y	June 1 to December 31
QC	MFA 14- 15 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Trapnet	0%	N	N	Y	N	N	June 1 to December 31
QC	MFA 15-16 Bait	Gillnet	0%	N	N	Y (Elog in area 16)	N	N	April to December 31
NL	MFA 1 - 14 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Trap, Bar Seine/Tuck Seine,	100%	N	Y	Y	Y (3-5%)	Y	August 15 to December 31
NL	MFA 1 - 14 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Gillnet, Handline, Mechanical Device	0%	N	N	Y	N	N	August 15 to December 31
NL	MFA 12 - 14 Mobile Gear >65 fleet	Purse Seine	100%	N	Y	Y	Y (3-5%)	Y	August 15 to December 31
NL	MFA 12 - 14 Mobile Gear Fixed Gear <65 fleet	Purse Seine	100%	N	Y	Y	Y (3-5%)	Y	August 15 to December 31
NL	MFA 1 -11 Mobile Gear <65 fleet	Purse seine	100%	N	Y	Y	Y (3-5%)	Y	August 15 to December 31
NL	MFA 1-11 Bait	2 Gillnets	0%	N	N	Y	N	N	August 15 to December 31
Gulf	MFA 16 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Gillnet	25%	N	Y	Y	N	N	June 1 to December 31
Gulf	MFA 16 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Handline	25%	N	Y	Y	N	N	June 1 to December 31
Gulf	MFA 16 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Trap net	0%	N	N	Y	N	N	August 15 to December 31
Gulf	MFA 16 Mobile Gear > 65 fleet	Purse seine	100%	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	June 1 to June 30
Gulf	MFA 16 Bait	Gillnet	0%	N	Y	Y	N	N	April to December 31
MAR	MFA 17 - 21 Fixed Gear < 65 fleet	Gillnet, Handline, Mechanical device	25%	Y	Y	Y	N	N	April 1 to December 31
MAR	MFA 17 - 21 Non Vessel Based	Trap/Weir	25% Trap 10% Weir	Y	Y	Y	N	N	April 1 to December 31 for trap Jan 1 to Dec 31 for Weir
MAR	MFA 17 - 21 Mobile Gear	Purse seine	100%	Y	Y	Y	5%	Y	June 1 to December 31
MAR	MFA 17 - 21 Bait	Gillnet/ Handline	100% if over 3,000 lbs in the Little Hope / Eastern Shore boxes and otherwise N/A	Y	Y	Y	N	N	January 1 to December 31

5.7 Historical landings by region

Year	Gulf Region	NL Region	QC Region	MAR Region	Total	% Gulf	% NL	% QC	% MAR
1985	6124.7	14883.1	2179.1	6264.9	29451.8	21	51	7	21
1986	8517.9	2400.0	3004.4	4798.8	18721.1	45	13	16	26
1987	9610.7	9901.8	2752.8	5233.1	27498.5	35	36	10	19
1988	9469.4	4234.4	3662.4	6064.6	23430.7	40	18	16	26
1989	9685.6	1911.1	2252.4	4813.8	18662.9	52	10	12	26
1990	9634.0	1208.2	1970.9	8499.2	21312.3	45	6	9	40
1991	14450.5	833.7	3255.6	7270.0	25809.9	56	3	13	28
1992	9887.6	1283.3	3480.3	8622.3	23273.5	42	6	15	37
1993	6932.3	8177.0	2970.6	6057.8	24137.7	29	34	12	25
1994	6765.4	2775.4	3529.4	7346.8	20417.0	33	14	17	36
1995	4831.4	2919.0	3382.3	6573.6	17706.3	27	16	19	37
1996	7049.5	3857.4	4317.4	5169.9	20394.1	35	19	21	25
1997	9590.0	1188.3	5769.2	4761.8	21309.4	45	6	27	22
1998	8675.8	2240.0	4065.6	4352.7	19334.1	45	12	21	23
1999	5462.0	1444.8	5103.6	4550.4	16560.7	33	9	31	27
2000	5294.1	4405.9	2022.0	4358.6	16080.5	33	27	13	27
2001	9030.2	8981.1	3211.8	3113.2	24336.2	37	37	13	13
2002	10162.4	17982.0	4420.7	2189.9	34754.9	29	52	13	6
2003	9726.9	26675.1	4596.9	3737.2	44736.0	22	60	10	8
2004	7724.8	39731.8	1979.4	4214.4	53650.3	14	74	4	8
2005	8233.3	42589.3	1220.6	2683.1	54726.4	15	78	2	5
2006	6012.7	44120.6	1818.4	1602.7	53554.4	11	82	3	3
2007	4681.3	44486.1	1749.8	2357.4	53274.6	9	84	3	4
2008	3592.7	22885.4	1863.0	1169.6	29510.6	12	78	6	4
2009	4556.0	34218.5	2316.0	1115.8	42206.3	11	81	5	3
2010	3273.3	33113.8	1709.2	553.9	38650.2	8	86	4	1
2011	2414.8	7316.8	1344.9	408.7	11485.1	21	64	12	4
2012	2256.1	2618.3	1278.0	691.7	6844.0	33	38	19	10
2013	1648.4	5169.5	1452.9	403.3	8674.0	19	60	17	5
2014	1042.2	3432.1	1502.3	702.4	6679.0	16	51	22	11
2015	1217.8	700.6	1182.4	1171.4	4272.1	29	16	28	27
2016	1240.6	4630.8	966.2	1212.6	8050.2	15	58	12	15
2017	3559.6	2647.7	1211.0	2012.1	9430.4	38	28	13	21
2018	2259.7	5624.5	1239.5	1374.9	10498.6	22	54	12	13
2019	2150.7	4813.8	754.0	907.741	8626.2	25	56	9	11
2020	1950.8	4013.92	679.1	1128.5	7772.4	25	52	9	15
2021	1826	601	757	1142	4326	42	14	17	26

5.8 Aquatic species at risk table

Species known to interact with the (name of the fishery) fishery, where concerns exist.
Species	Status	Known/Potential threats associated with Fishery	Management measures
Leatherback Sea Turtle, Atlantic population	Listed under Schedule 1 of SARA in 2003 as Endangered Assessed by COSEWIC in 2012 as Endangered	Entanglement in fishing gear has been identified as a threat to Leatherback Sea Turtle in the species’ Recovery Strategy, including gear types used in the Atlantic mackerel fishery. Leatherback Sea Turtle have been observed across Atlantic Canada, including in areas where mackerel fishing occurs.	The SARARecovery Strategy for Leatherback Sea Turtle was published in 2007; an Action Plan was published in 2020. All recovery documents are available on the SARA public registry. In accordance subsection 83(4) of SARA and the exemption identified in the species’ Recovery Strategy (2007), commercial Atlantic mackerel harvesters are authorized to carry out fishing activities that may incidentally capture Leatherback Sea Turtle. They are required to release entangled Leatherback Sea Turtles and report any encounters in their SARA logbooks or other specified reporting tool. If harvesters encounter an entangled Leatherback Sea Turtle, they may contact the Marine Mammal Response Program for disentanglement assistance.
Northern Wolffish, Spotted Wolffish, Atlantic Wolffish	Listed under Schedule 1 of SARA in 2003 as Threatened (Northern and Spotted Wolffish) and Special Concern (Atlantic Wolffish) Assessed by COSEWIC in 2012 as Threatened (Northern and Spotted Wolffish) and Special Concern (Atlantic Wolffish)	Fishing bycatch has been identified as a threat to wolffish in these species’ SARA Recovery Strategy and Management Plan. They may also be affected by habitat alteration caused by bottom-contact fishing gear.	The amended SARA Recovery Strategy and Management Plan for the three wolffish species was published in 2020. An Action Plan was also published in 2020 for Northern and Spotted Wolffish. All recovery documents are available on the SARA public registry. In accordance subsection 83(4) of SARA and the exemption identified in the species’ Recovery Strategy (2020), commercial Atlantic mackerel harvesters are authorized to carry out fishing activities that may incidentally kill, harm, harass, capture or take Northern or Spotted Wolffish. Harvesters are required to return incidentally-caught Northern or Spotted Wolffish to water and report the interaction in their SARA logbook or other specified reporting tool. SARA prohibitions do not apply to Atlantic Wolffish.
White Shark, Atlantic population	Listed under Schedule 1 of SARA in 2011 as Endangered Assessed by COSEWIC as Endangered in 2006	The Evaluation of Scope for Harm for White Shark in Atlantic Canada (CSAS Science Response 2017/25) identifies fisheries bycatch as an important source of mortality for White Shark. White Shark have been reported throughout Atlantic Canadian waters, including in areas where mackerel fishing occurs. Interactions have been reported in mackerel fisheries using purse seine and gillnet, as well as in weir and handline fisheries.	A Recovery Strategy is in development for this species. All recovery documents, once published, are available on the SARA public registry. Some Atlantic mackerel commercial harvesters are authorized to carry out fishing activities that may cause incidental harm to white shark, their commercial fishing licence having met the conditions of s.73(2) to (6.1) of SARA. Harvesters are required to return white shark to water and report the interaction in their SARA logbooks or other specified reporting tool. More information on these authorizations are available on the species page on the SARA public registry.
North Atlantic Right Whale	Listed under Schedule 1 of SARA in 2005 as Endangered Re-assessed by COSEWIC as Endangered in 2013	The North Atlantic Right Whale’s Recovery Strategy identifies entanglement in fishing gear as a known threat to the species.	The North Atlantic Right Whale’s Recovery Strategy was published in 2014; an Action Plan for the species is currently being finalized. All recovery documents are available on the SARA public registry. Since 2017, the DFO has introduced comprehensive and adaptive management measures in non-tended, fixed gear fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec to protect this species from interactions with fishing gear. These include temporary and season-long fishing closures, mandatory gear marking and lost gear reporting, and continued monitoring for right whales. Detailed description of current management measures for NARW can be found here. All commercial fish harvesters are required to report any interactions with marine mammals in the Marine Mammal Interaction Form. The DFO Marine Mammal Response Program responds to marine mammals and sea turtles in distress, including entanglements.
Northern Bottlenose Whale	Listed under Schedule 1 of SARA in 2006 as Endangered Re-assessed by COSEWIC as Endangered in 2011	The Northern Bottlenose Whale’s Recovery Strategy identifies entanglement in fishing gear as a potential threat to the species.	The Northern Bottlenose Whale’s Recovery Strategy was published in 2016; an Action Plan was published in 2017. All recovery documents are available on the SARA public registry. All commercial fish harvesters are required to report any interactions with marine mammals in the Marine Mammal Interaction Form. The DFO Marine Mammal Response Program responds to marine mammals and sea turtles in distress, including entanglements.
Sowerby’s Beaked Whale	Listed under Schedule 1 of SARA in 2011 as Special Concern Assessed by COSEWIC as Special Concern in 2006	The Sowerby’s Beaked Whale Management Plan identifies entanglement in fishing gear as a potential threat to the species.	A Management Plan for Sowerby’s Beaked Whale was published in 2017. All recovery documents are available on the SARA public registry. All commercial fish harvesters are required to report any interactions with marine mammals in the Marine Mammal Interaction Form. The DFO Marine Mammal Response Program responds to marine mammals and sea turtles in distress, including entanglements.

6. Glossary

Glossary terms

Abundance:: Number of individuals in a stock or a population.
Age Composition:: Proportion of individuals of different ages in a stock or in the catches.
Anadromous:: An anadromous species, such as salmon, spends most of its life at sea but returns to fresh water grounds to spawn in the river it comes from.
Area/Subarea:: The Department divides waters up into management and sub-management areas in order to establish regulations and manage specific areas.
Biomass:: Total weight of all individuals in a stock or a population.
By-catch:: The unintentional catch of one species when the target is another.
Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE):: The amount caught for a given fishing effort. Ex: Tons of shrimp per tow, kilograms of fish per hundred longline hooks.
Commercial Industry Caucus (CIC):: A sub-committee of the CGIAC consisting of commercial groundfish vessel representatives and processors.
CGIAC:: Commercial Groundfish Integrated Advisory
Communal Commercial Licence:: Licence issued to Indigenous organizations pursuant to the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licences Regulations for participation in the general commercial fishery.
Conservation Harvesting Plan (CHP):: Fishing plans submitted by all gear sectors which identify harvesting methods aimed at minimizing the harvest of small fish and by-catch of groundfish.
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC):: Committee of experts that assess and designate which wild species are in some danger of disappearing from Canada.
Cumulative effects:: The Department understands cumulative effects as the combined impact of multiple pressures, either natural or anthropogenic, accumulated over both time and space.
Discards:: Portion of a catch thrown back into the water after they are caught in fishing gear.
Dockside Monitoring Program (DMP):: A monitoring program that is conducted by a company that has been designated by the Department, which verifies the species composition and landed weight of all fish landed from a commercial fishing vessel.
Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA):: an EBSA is an area that has particularly high Ecological or Biological Significance, and should receive a greater-than-usual degree of risk aversion in management of activities in order to protect overall ecosystem structure and function within the LOMA.
Ecosystem-Based Management:: Taking into account of species interactions and the interdependencies between species and their habitats when making resource management decisions.
Escapement:: Reference to salmon - the number of fish escaping the fishery and reaching the spawning grounds.
Fishing Effort:: Quantity of effort using a given fishing gear over a given period of time.
Fixed Gear:: A type of fishing gear that is set in a stationary position. These include weirs, gillnets, but not drift nets, longlines and handlines.
Fishing Mortality:: Death caused by fishing, often symbolized by the Mathematical symbol F.
Food, Social and Ceremonial (FSC):: A fishery conducted by Indigenous peoples for food, social and ceremonial purposes.
Gillnet:: Fishing gear: netting with weights on the bottom and floats at the top used to catch fish. Gillnets can be set at different depths and are anchored to the seabed.
Groundfish:: Species of fish living near the bottom such as cod, haddock, halibut and flatfish.
Handlining:: Fishing using a line with one or more hooks and moving it up and down in a series of short movements. Also called "jigging".
Indigenous Knowledge (IK):: Knowledge that is held by, and unique to indigenous peoples. It is a living body of knowledge that is cumulative and dynamic and adapted over time to reflect changes in the social, economic, environmental, spiritual and political spheres of the Indigenous Knowledge holders. It often includes knowledge about the land and its resources, spiritual beliefs, language, mythology, culture, laws, customs and medicines.
Landings:: Quantity of a species caught and landed.
Limit Reference Point (LRP):: The PA reference point that represents the stock status below which serious harm is occurring to the stock.
Large Ocean Management Area (LOMA):: Integrated management planning in Canada is focused in five high priority LOMAs, these are: Placentia Bay and the Grand Banks, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Scotian Shelf, the Beaufort Sea and the Pacific North Coast.
Longlining:: Using long lines with a series of baited hooks to catch fish.
Marine Protected Area (MPA):: An MPA is part of the ocean that is legally protected and managed to achieve the long-tem conservation of nature. MPA’s may allow some current and future activities depending on their impacts to the ecological features being protected.
Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY):: Largest average catch that can continuously be taken from a stock.
Mesh Size:: Size of the mesh of a net. Different fisheries have different minimum mesh size regulation.
Mobile Gear:: A type of fishing gear that is drawn through the water by a vessel to entrap fish. These include otter trawls and Danish/Scottish Seines.
Natural Mortality:: Mortality due to natural causes, symbolized by the mathematical symbol M.
Observer Coverage:: When a licence holder is required to carry an officially recognized observer onboard their vessel for a specific period of time to verify the amount of fish caught, the area in which it was caught and the method by which it was caught.
Otolith:: Structure of the inner ear of fish, made of calcium carbonate and bone. Also called "ear bone" or "ear stone". Otoliths are used to determine the age of fish: annual rings can be observed and counted. Daily increments are visible as well on larval otoliths.
Pelagic:: A pelagic species, such as herring, tuna, mackerel, swordfish and lives in midwater or close to the surface.
Population:: Group of individuals of the same species, forming a breeding unit, and sharing a habitat.
Precautionary Approach:: Set of agreed cost-effective measures and actions, including future courses of action, which ensures prudent foresight, reduces or avoids risk to the resource, the environment, and the people, to the extent possible, taking explicitly into account existing uncertainties and the potential consequences of being wrong.
Purse Seine:: Large net used to encircle fish from a boat called a "seiner" and equipped with a wire rope on the bottom to draw the net together.
Quota:: Portion of the total allowable catch that a unit such as vessel class, country, etc. is permitted to take from a stock in a given period of time.
Rockfish Conservation Area (RCA):: An area that is closed for the protection of various inshore rockfish species to fishing activities that negatively impact rockfish.
Recruitment:: Amount of individuals becoming part of the exploitable stock e.g. that can be caught in a fishery.
Research Survey:: Survey at sea, on a research vessel, allowing scientists to obtain information on the abundance and distribution of various species and/or collect oceanographic data. Ex: Bottom trawl survey, plankton survey, hydro-acoustic survey, etc.
Species at Risk Act (SARA):: The Act is a federal government commitment to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct and secure the necessary actions for their recovery. It provides the legal protection of wildlife species and the conservation of their biological diversity.
SARA Interactions:: Any direct contact with a SARA-listed species by a fish harvester, including bycatch, entanglement in gear, and collision with vessel.
Spawner:: Sexually mature individual.
Spawning Stock:: Sexually mature individuals in a stock.
Stock:: Describes a population of individuals of one species found in a particular area, and is used as a unit for fisheries management.
Stock Assessment:: Scientific evaluation of the status of a species belonging to a same stock within a particular area in a given time period.
Total Allowable Catch (TAC):: The amount of catch that may be taken from a stock.
Indigenous Knowledge (IK):: A cumulative body of knowledge and beliefs, handed down through generations by cultural transmission, about the relationship of living beings (including humans) with one another and with their environment.
Tonne:: Metric tonne, which is 1000kg or 2204.6lbs.
Trawl:: Fishing gear: cone-shaped net towed in the water by a boat called a "trawler". Bottom trawls are towed along the ocean floor to catch species such as groundfish. Mid-water trawls are towed within the water column.
Validation:: The verification, by an observer, of the weight of fish landed.
Vessel Size:: The overall length of a vessel that is used or is to be used for catching, harvesting or transporting fish or other living marine resources.
Year-class:: Individuals of a same stock born in a particular year. Also called "cohort".

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2021), Integrated Catch and Effort System [database]. Ottawa. Accessed: January 18, 2021.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

Detailed Atlantic mackerel landing information can be found on the DFO website.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Survey of recreational fishing in Canada can be found on the DFO website.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (2021), EXIM [database], Ottawa. Accessed: January 11, 2021. Adapted from Statistics Canada, International Trade Data. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5

Return to footnote 5 referrer

Footnote 6

Ibid.

Return to footnote 6 referrer

Footnote 7

Detailed mackerel trade information can be found on the DFO website.

Return to footnote 7 referrer

Date modified:: 2022-12-29

Atlantic Mackerel - Effective 2022

Foreword

On this page

1 Governance

2 Fishery overview

2.1 Type of fishery

2.2 Participants

2.3 Location and seasonality of the fishery

3 Situational analysis and key fishery issues

3.1 Stock biology, status and environmental conditions

3.1.1 Biological synopsis

3.1.2 Stock assessment

3.1.3 Ecosystem considerations

3.1.4 Precautionary approach (PA) framework

3.1.5 Research

3.2 Indigenous knowledge

3.3 Economic and cultural importance of the fishery

3.3.1 Commercial fishery

Figure 2 Canada’s Atlantic mackerel landings, 2011-2020

3.3.2 Indigenous fishery

3.3.3 Recreational fishery

3.3.4 Trade profile

Figure 3 Canada’s Atlantic mackerel exports, 2016-2020

3.4 Monitoring

3.5 Aquatic species at risk

3.6 Marine conservation

3.7 Compliance and enforcement

3.7.1 Regional compliance program delivery

3.7.2 Consultation

National compliance framework (Pillar 1)

3.7.3 Compliance performance

3.7.4 Current compliance issues

Objectives, strategy and performance

4 Objectives, strategy, and performance

4.1 Short-term objectives

4.1.1 Stock conservation

4.1.2 Ecosystem health and sustainability

4.1.3 Rebuilding plan and new management measures

4.2 Long-term objectives

4.2.1 Stock conservation and sustainable harvest

4.2.2 Long-term rebuilding

4.2.3 Stewardship

4.3 Management issues

4.3.1 Stock status

4.3.2 Reduction in fishing mortality

4.3.3 Monitoring of removals

4.3.4 High demand for bait

4.3.5 Recreational fishery catches

4.3.6 Protecting spawners

4.3.7 Environmental conditions and natural mortality

4.3.8 Coordination with the U.S.

4.3.9 Scientific research

5 Appendices

5.1 Map of mackerel fishing area

5.2 Management measures – Newfoundland and Labrador region

A. Fishing seasons

B. Fishing areas

C. Licensing

Commercial

Bait

D. Fishing gear

E. Other

5.3 Management measures – Quebec region

A. Fishing seasons

B. Fishing areas

C. Licensing

Exploratory purse seine fishery

Bait

D. Fishing gear

5.4 Management measures – Gulf region

A. Fishing Seasons

B. Fishing areas

C. Licensing (region to update)

Commercial

Bait

D. Fishing gear

5.5 Management measures – Maritimes region

A. Fishing seasons

B. Fishing areas

C. Licensing