The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans has announced the opening of a 470-tonne personal-use mackerel bait fishery for Atlantic Canada and Quebec for the 2024 spring season. The quota will be evenly distributed to ensure equal access for harvesters from different regions. The fish caught under this bait licence are for personal use only and cannot be sold, traded, or bartered. The commercial fishery for Atlantic mackerel will remain closed for the 2024 season. The Department will continue to collect data for an ongoing mackerel assessment and will post the rebuilding plan for mackerel on its website in the coming weeks.