Emma Clow

The Prince Edward Island Fishermen's Association says it's upset over&nbsp;the extension of the mackerel moratorium in Atlantic Canada, particularly because the fishery is still allowed in the U.S.

Federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray announced&nbsp;the continued closure of Atlantic&nbsp;mackerel commercial and bait fishing in Atlantic Canada and Quebec for the rest of the 2023 year to "allow the stock to rebuild."

In a news release Friday, the fishermen's association said it was "disappointed and frustrated" by the decision.

"Prince Edward Island fishers want to see a sustainable mackerel stock, but do not feel this will be achieved by shutting down the Canadian fishery while the U.S. continues to fish," the release said.

U.S. announces reduced East Coast commercial mackerel quota for 2023

The U.S. quota was released this week, putting pressure on Canada which has yet to decide whether it will continue a total moratorium it imposed in 2022 to help rebuild mackerel population.

A picture taken on February 13, 2014 in Bordeaux, western France, shows mackerels at a fish shop. High tides and winter storms not only ravaged the coast and exhausted the birds, they also affected fishermen forced to remain at quay.

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Canadian scientists say the mackerel population has been in the "critical zone," where serious harm is occurring.

DFO shutting down herring, mackerel fisheries on East Coast

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) said urgent action had to be taken to give the stocks a chance to recover and ensure the long-term sustainability of East Coast fisheries. The decision is not sitting well with the fishing community.

FILE-In this Wednesday, July 8, 2015 file photo, herring are unloaded from a fishing boat in Rockland, Maine. Fishermen who seek one of the most important bait fish on the East Coast are likely to see a dramatic reduction in the amount they are allowed to harvest next year. Commercial fisheries for herring are a major industry in the Atlantic states, where the little fish are important as lobster bait as well as for human food. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

Herring Fishing

Herring plays a vital role in both the fishing industry and ocean ecosystems. They are an important food source for other species and a traditional source of bait in many commercial fisheries.

The U.S. is going ahead with fishing East Coast mackerel in 2023, but it's cut the&nbsp;Total Allowable Catch (TAC) from more than 17,300&nbsp;tons&nbsp;in 2020&nbsp;to roughly&nbsp;

Canada's moratorium has been in place since March 2022.

 to give the&nbsp;stocks a chance to recover, and to ensure the long-term sustainability and prosperity of East Coast fisheries.

The P.E.I. fishermen's association has previously called for an end to it because it said it's had a negative impact on business.

Atlantic mackerel moratorium extended for 2023 season

Fisheries and Oceans Canada said in a notice that it was continuing the moratorium, which was put in place in March 2022, "to allow the stock to rebuild."

The Atlantic mackerel population has continued to decline after a year-long fishery moratorium. Fish harvesters were given notice on Wednesday the moratorium has been extended.

Atlantic mackerel 

P.E.I. fishermen concerned mackerel fishery won't open in 2023

Last March, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans put a moratorium on commercial fishing for mackerel across the East Coast. Now, P.E.I. fishermen are worried they won’t be able to fish mackerel to use for bait this spring.

A mackeral used for bait laid out on a wooden background.

pe-hi-mackerel-bait

Last March the Department of Fisheries and Oceans put a moratorium on commercial fishing for mackerel across the East Coast.

P.E.I. fishers are unhappy with the decision to close the regional mackerel fishery for the rest of the 2023.

Extension of mackerel moratorium has P.E.I. fishers frustrated

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