A reduction in the commercial gillnet quota for Gulf southern zone king mackerel is now in effect following a harvest overage during the previous fishing year.

As of Dec. 30, the 2025/2026 Gulf commercial quota for the king mackerel gillnet component has been set at 670,140 pounds. The reduced limit applies to the commercial run-around gillnet fishing season, which is scheduled to open Jan. 20, 2026.

The adjustment follows final landings data from the 2024/2025 fishing year, which show commercial fishermen harvested 672,516 pounds of king mackerel using gillnets. That total exceeded the quota of 671,328 pounds by 1,188 pounds.

Under a post-season accountability measure established by the Gulf Fishery Management Council and implemented by NOAA Fisheries, any overharvest must be deducted from the following year’s quota. As a result, the upcoming season’s allocation was reduced pound for pound from the original level of 671,328 pounds.

Fishery managers said the action is intended to protect the king mackerel population and prevent overfishing by keeping harvests within science-based limits.

Use of run-around gillnets for king mackerel remains restricted to the Gulf southern zone. The regulation applies only to the gillnet component of the commercial fishery and does not affect other gear types or recreational fishing limits.

NOAA Fisheries monitors commercial landings throughout the season and works with the Gulf council to adjust management measures when quotas are exceeded. Additional information on federal king mackerel regulations and Gulf fisheries management is available at www.fisheries.noaa.gov.