Council Meeting in Philadelphia, PA: October 7 - 9, 2014

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's October 2014 meeting October 7 - 9, 2014 in Philadelphia, PA.

Public Comments Sought on Proposed Specifications for the Tilefish Fishery for 2015-2017

NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on proposed measures for the tilefish fishery for the 2015-2017 fishing years.

Mid-Atlantic Council and ASMFC to Hold Summer Flounder Scoping Hearings

The Mid-Atlantic Council and the ASMFC have scheduled fourteen scoping hearings September 29 – October 22 to gather public input on the range of issues to be considered in the Comprehensive Summer Flounder Amendment.

NOAA Fisheries announces new on-reel trawl gear stowage requirements for trawl vessels

New on-reel trawl gear stowage requirement have been implemented for when vessels are transiting closed areas or fishing in areas with mesh size restrictions.

Vacancy Announcement: Assistant Fishery Plan Coordinator

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking candidates for the position of Assistant Fishery Plan Coordinator. Closing Date: Friday, October 10, 2014.

Public Comment Opportunity: Omnibus Amendment to Simplify Vessel Baselines

The draft Omnibus Amendment to Simplify Vessel Baselines is now available for public comment through September 22, 2014.

August Council Meeting Report

The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the Council's meeting on August 11-14, 2014 in Washington, D.C.

Cancellation of 2015 RSA Federal Funding Opportunity

Federal Funding Opportunity Number: NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2015-2004064 for the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside is hereby terminated. No proposals will be accepted for fishing season 2015. Any proposals already submitted will be returned immediately.

Mid-Atlantic Council Votes to Suspend Research Set-Aside Program

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted during this week’s meeting in Washington, D.C. to suspend the Research Set-Aside (RSA) program in 2015

Proposed Data Collection Program for Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog

NOAA Fisheries is proposing an information collection program for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fishery. The intent would be to collect more detailed information about individuals and businesses that hold fishery quota allocation in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota programs.

Longfin Squid Fishery Trimester 2 Closure

NOAA Fisheries has announced the closure of the longfin squid fishery for the remainder of Trimester 2. Vessels issued Federal moratorium longfin squid permits, with some exemptions, may not fish for, catch, possess or land more than 2,500 lb of longfin per trip or calendar day until Trimester 3 begins on September 1, 2014.

New Spiny Dogfish Management Measures Implemented

NOAA Fisheries has approved and implemented 2014-2015 spiny dogfish catch limits and other measures through Amendment 3 to the Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan.

Extended Deadline for 2015 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside Federal Funding Opportunity

NOAA Fisheries is extending the deadline for the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement number NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2015-2004064 for the Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside (RSA) program from Monday, August 11, 2014 to Tuesday, September 30, 2014.

Listening Session: NOAA Fisheries’ Northeast Fishery-Dependent Data Visioning Project

The Council will hold its next listening session on Monday, August 11th at 5 p.m. at the W Hotel in Washington D.C. The topic of the listening session will be NOAA Fisheries’ Federal Fishery Dependent Data Visioning Project.

SAFMC Calls for Fishermens' Input on Upcoming Public Hearing Amendments on Dolphin Wahoo and Mackerel Amendments

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled public hearings in August to gather public input on several Amendments that may impact Mid-Atlantic and New England fishermen and other stakeholders.

Request for Proposals: Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Habitat Pilot Project Services

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking proposals to support the development of a report on current methods used in the identification of critical fish habitat areas in the US and abroad.

Council Meeting in Washington, DC: August 11 - 14, 2014

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's August 2014 meeting August 11 - 14, 2014 in Washington, DC.

Deadline Extended for Commenting on Proposed Establishment of Delaware Special Management Zones

NOAA Fisheries has announced that it is providing 15 more days to comment on the proposed rule to implement special management zones for five Delaware artificial reefs.

New Dogfish Measures Effective August 14

NOAA Fisheries has announced that, effective August 14, it will be implementing new measures for the Spiny Dogfish Fishery (Amendment 3).

2014/2015 Monkfish RSA Awards Announced

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), in coordination with the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils), has announced 2014/2015 Monkfish RSA Awards.

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