Ottawa, Ontario - Atlantic mackerel is an integral part of the ocean ecosystem and essential to the prosperity of fisheries across the region. The Government of Canada is taking decisive action to rebuild this stock, which has faced important declines over the last few years, so that the fisheries which rely upon on Atlantic mackerel can continue to thrive for generations to come.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Mike Kelloway, announced the opening of a 470 tonne (t) Atlantic mackerel personal-use bait fishery this spring along with the continued closure of the Atlantic mackerel commercial fishery in Atlantic Canada and Quebec for the 2024 season.
The 470t Atlantic mackerel 2024 bait fishery will be released in two equal parts. By releasing the quota in this way, harvesters from different regions will have equitable access to Atlantic mackerel as the stock migrates through the waters of Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
Fish caught under a bait licence are intended for personal-use and are not permitted to be sold, traded or bartered. This Atlantic mackerel bait fishery will help licence holders supply their other fisheries with bait without jeopardizing the ongoing rebuilding of this stock.
The department remains firmly optimistic that the Atlantic mackerel stock can rebuild, and remains committed to supporting the future re-opening of the Atlantic mackerel commercial fishery.
