Blueline Tilefish Scoping Hearings: June 1–18, 2015

The Council will hold five scoping hearings in June 2015 to gather public input related to blueline tilefish management.

Proposed Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Recreational Management Measures

NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments through May 20, 2015 on proposed 2015 recreational management measures for the summer flounder, scup and black sea bass fisheries.

NOAA Fisheries Releases Transition Plan for New Recreational Fishing Effort Survey

This week, NOAA Fisheries released a comprehensive, three-year plan that will guide the transition to a new mail survey for estimating recreational fishing effort on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

2015 Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Awards Announced

NOAA Fisheries Service, in coordination with the New England Fishery Management Council, has announced that 10 new sea scallop research projects will be funded in 2015 through the Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) program.

Reminder: Scoping Comments for Squid Capacity Amendment Due May 11

The Council is collecting scoping comments for a potential amendment that would consider options for reducing the capacities of the longfin squid and Illex squid fleets. The deadline to submit written comments is May 11.

Request for Proposals: Development of a Quantitative Stock Assessment for Black Sea Bass

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking a highly qualified contractor to facilitate the development of a quantitative stock assessment for the northern black sea bass stock to support management of the black sea bass fishery.

Proposals are due by May 29, 2015.

NOAA Fisheries: Successful Conservation Efforts Recognized in Proposed ESA Humpback Whale Listing Revision

NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposal to reclassify the humpback whale into 14 distinct population segments and to remove ten of those populations from the endangered species list. The proposed changes are expected to provide a more tailored conservation approach for U.S. fisheries managers.

Council Initiates Action to Manage Blueline Tilefish

The Council voted this week to move forward with development of measures for the long-term management of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic.

April 2015 Council Meeting

Briefing materials, presentations, and other information from the Council's recent meeting are available on the April 2015 Council Meeting page.

NOAA Fisheries Announces $2.5 Million Available for Innovative Bycatch Solutions

NOAA Fisheries is now accepting project proposals its Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP). Approximately $2.5 million is available to fishermen, academics, and other interested groups for projects that offer practical solutions to reduce bycatch. Pre-proposals are due by April 16 with full applications due by May 28, 2015.

April 15 Listening Session: Squid Capacity Amendment

Members of the public are invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Council’s next listening session at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 in Long Branch, New Jersey to provide input for the development of a Squid Capacity Amendment.

Council Meeting in Long Branch, NJ: April 14 - 16, 2015

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's upcoming meeting to be held April 14-16, 2015 in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Council to Hold Scoping Hearings for Squid Capacity Amendment: April 6 - 21, 2015

The Council has scheduled six scoping hearings between April 6 and April 21, 2015 to gather input for a potential amendment that would address capacity of the longfin squid and Illex squid fleets. Written scoping comments can also be submitted HERE.

February 2015 Council Meeting Report

The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the February 10-12, 2015 Council Meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Council Recommends Emergency Action for Blueline Tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic

The Council has voted to request that the National Marine Fisheries Service implement emergency rules to restrict commercial and recreational landings of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic.

Council Takes Final Action on Cost Recovery Amendment

The Mid-Atlantic Council has approved the Cost Recovery Amendment to the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management (FMP). The amendment addresses cost recovery requirements, streamlines the process for updating stock status determination criteria, and removes the optimum yield (OY) ranges specified in the FMP.

George Darcy Receives Ricks E Savage Award

Last week the Council named George Darcy, former NOAA Fisheries Assistant Regional Administrator, as the 2015 recipient of the Ricks E Savage Award.

Council Member Dewey Hemilright Honored in 'Busch Heroes' Campaign

This week, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council member Dewey Hemilright was announced as one of six individuals in the Busch 2015 Class of Heroes.

Council to Hold Blueline Tilefish Webinar Meeting - Feb. 25, 1:30 p.m.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold an emergency meeting via webinar on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. to consider requesting emergency action for deepwater snapper/grouper species, including blueline tilefish, within the Mid-Atlantic Council’s jurisdiction.

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Workshop on Deep Sea Coral Zone Boundaries

The Council has voted to postpone final action on the Deep Sea Corals Amendment in order to allow for further analysis of the alternatives and to provide additional opportunities for stakeholder input.

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