Spiny Dogfish

The Atlantic spiny dogfish fishery is jointly managed in state and federal waters by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (lead) and the New England Fishery Management Council. NOAA Fisheries serves as the implementing body for rules and regulations within the fishery. The ASMFC coordinates state management, including regional or state quotas.

The Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for spiny dogfish was implemented in 2000. The management unit includes all federal East Coast waters. Harvest is primarily controlled through daily trip limits and an annual quota that closes the fishery in federal waters if the quota is reached. Quotas are set based on the current science and Council’s risk policy to avoid overfishing and rebuild stocks if/when necessary.

Staff Contacts

Jason Didden, (302) 526- 5254

Related Pages

Regulations

Additional information about the management and status of the spiny dogfish fishery, including current quotas and fishing regulations, is available on the NOAA Fisheries Spiny Dogfish page.

Additional Resources

Actions Under Development

The section below lists any FMP frameworks or amendments currently under development. See the current year's Implementation Plan for details on upcoming specifications and other actions that may affect this FMP.

Featured

Sturgeon Bycatch Framework

The Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils are jointly developing a framework action to reduce Atlantic sturgeon bycatch in the monkfish and spiny dogfish large mesh gillnet fisheries.

Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

This action will concurrently conduct the 5-year EFH review required under the Magnuson Stevens Act while amending fishery management plans for the Council, as needed.