Question Period Note: Atlantic Mackerel Consumption by Predators

• I recognize the economic importance of the mackerel fishery to harvesters in Atlantic Canada and Quebec and I am committed to managing this fishery to ensure the long-term sustainability of the stock for future generations.
• Based on the 2025 assessment, the Government announced a 500 tonne total allowable catch for each of the 2025 and 2026 fishing seasons, along with the continued closure of the commercial fishery for Atlantic mackerel.
• I understand the hardship that the ongoing closure of the commercial mackerel fishery is having on harvesters and coastal communities. I also understand that purchasing mackerel for bait from other sources has become very expensive.
• The Government is committed to taking strong action to protect spawning fish and help rebuild the stock.

• This stock has been in the Critical Zone of the Precautionary Approach Framework since 2011, and is subject to the Fish Stock provisions of the Fisheries Act, which mandate DFO to promote sustainability and implement a rebuilding plan. The 2023 and 2024 spawning stock biomass were estimated at 32 per cent and 35 per cent of the limit reference point, placing the stock in the Critical Zone of the precautionary approach with a very high probability (greater than 95 per cent).
• In 2022 and 2023, the commercial and bait fisheries were closed due to the depleted status of the stock. Recreational and Food, Social and Ceremonial fisheries remained open, as removals from these fisheries are limited. Other permitted removals include catches for scientific sampling, a bluefin tuna bait exemption, and bycatch.
• The bait fishery re-opened in 2024 with a TAC of 470 tonnes (t) and bait landings totaled
440 t, with the Gulf Region accounting for 71 per cent of catches, followed by the Maritimes (15 per cent), Quebec (eight per cent), and Newfoundland and Labrador (five per cent).
• For the 2025 and 2026 seasons, a 500 t TAC is established. This includes removals from the bait fishery (440 t), the bluefin tuna bait exemption (~20 t), scientific sampling (~20 t), and bycatch (~20 t).
• For the recreational fishery, two new temporary management measures are implemented to limit dead discards and support rebuilding of the stock:
• Removal of minimum size: to address mortality due to high discards of undersized fish caught while fishing recreationally. Currently, Section 49.01(b) of the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (AFR) prohibits the possession of Atlantic mackerel less than 26.8 cm in length. Varying the minimum size to 0 cm means that recreational harvesters could retain all fish caught up to their daily possession limit of 20 mackerel without discarding large numbers of undersized fish that typically die after release.
• Reduce gear allowance: Section 49.01(d) of the AFR, prohibits fishing with more than five lines or one fishing line with six hooks. This fishing gear allowance results in greater fishing capacity beyond the 20 mackerel daily possession limit. Varying the gear type to one line with three hooks would align with how sport fisheries are regulated under the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations and reduce effort in the recreational fishery. Both the minimum size and the gear type can be modified for the recreational fishery through a variation order issued by a Regional Director General.
• In response to industry concerns about predation, DFO Science conducted an investigation of predation pressure on mackerel by various predators in Canadian and U.S. waters for the 2023 assessment, which suggests an overall increase in predation-induced mackerel mortality over time.
• Annual consumption by Northern gannets is estimated to be between 11,000 to 23,000 over the last 10 years, while the annual consumption of mackerel by grey seals was estimated to be between 7,000 and 13,000 t given the current size the of grey seal population.
• In light of the moratorium, DFO has collaborated with industry partners to collect mackerel samples throughout their northern distribution in 2022, 2023, and 2024 to support stock assessments and for genetic research on the stock contingents.
• In response to industry concerns about spawning that would not be considered in the stock assessment, DFO Science completed additional egg/larval surveys in Western and Southern Newfoundland in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 to determine if significant spawning is occurring outside of the historical spawning area. Results were presented during the winter 2023 stock assessment meeting demonstrated that this is not the case, as mackerel spawning activity in Western Newfoundland was much lower and not observed in Southern Newfoundland.
• Atlantic mackerel are a schooling pelagic fish that form dense aggregations and stick to a narrow temperature range (7-16°C). They are highly migratory, moving into the
Gulf of St. Lawrence and then northward annually to spawn and feed. Accordingly, Atlantic mackerel tend to move to Newfoundland waters later in the season relative to other parts of Atlantic Canada.
• Because of this high degree of local aggregations, mackerel are easy to harvest at very low levels and high overall population abundance cannot be inferred from high catches in localized areas.
• The U.S. fishery has remained opened but has seen significant decreases in their commercial quota. Canada will continue to engage U.S. colleagues on possible cooperative management, as both countries have recognized the stock needs to rebuild.

If pressed on the recreational fishery and/or FSC
• Atlantic mackerel recreational, food, social and ceremonial fisheries remain open as these important harvests make up a small percentage of overall removals and are not expected to significantly impact rebuilding efforts.
• For the recreational fishery, I have reduced the gear allowance to reduce fishing capacity and have removed the minimum size of Atlantic mackerel that can be retained to address mortality due to high discard rates of undersized fish caught.
If pressed on the latest science advice on Atlantic mackerel:
• The most recent stock assessment occurred in February 2025, and determined that the spawning stock biomass for mackerel remained relatively stable in the critical zone of the Precautionary Approach in 2023 and 2024. The next assessment is due to occur in March 2027.
• There have been no signs of a large pulse—or recruitment—of new fish entering the population since 2015.
• Available evidence indicates that stock rebuilding potential is currently limited by fewer older fish, low recruitment, and high predation pressure.
If pressed on observations by harvesters of high stock abundance
• Atlantic mackerel are a schooling pelagic fish; therefore, seeing large schools of this species is not unusual, even when the overall population is small.
• My Department values the perspectives and observations of fish harvesters and continues to work with them to collect data and inform research plans, ensuring that we have the best science possible to inform future decisions.
If pressed on the impacts of seal predation
• Mackerel are a key prey source in the Northwest Atlantic ecosystem. They are an important food source for Northern gannets and consumed by other seabirds, seals, groundfish, tunas, whales, and dolphins.
• Mackerel contribute only about four per cent of the grey seal’s diet. While any increase in seal abundance will increase the number of mackerel consumed, Northern gannets are estimated to consume more mackerel than grey seals.
• As in most cases, when a fish stock is low, predators are likely to take a larger share of the remaining stock.
• Analysis of predation helps my Department include ecosystem considerations in stock assessments and advice.