NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Amendment 17 to the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP

NOAA Fisheries has published a notice of availability for Amendment 17 to the Mid-Atlantic Council's Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan (FMP).  Comments will be accepted through April 25, 2016.

October 2015 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions taken and issues considered at the Council’s meeting on October 6 – 8, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA.

June 2015 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions and issues considered at the Council's June 8-11 meeting in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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.

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Hearings on Deep Sea Corals Amendment

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold six public hearings in January to gather public comments on the Deep Sea Corals Amendment to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Hearings will be held January 12 – 20, 2015, and written comments will be accepted until January 28, 2015.

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Hearings on Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Amendment

The Council has scheduled four hearings to be held January 12 - 15 for the public to provide comments on the Cost Recovery Amendment to the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP. Written comments will also be accepted from December 15, 2014 until January 16, 2015.

December 10 Listening Session: Deep Sea Corals in the Mid-Atlantic

Members of the public are invited to attend the Council’s next listening session at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10th to learn more about deep sea corals in the Mid-Atlantic. Guest speaker will be Dr. Martha Nizinski, a zoologist at the NOAA Fisheries National Systematics Lab

Proposed 2015 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid and Butterfish Specifications

NOAA Fisheries has published proposed specifications for the Atlantic mackerel, squid and butterfish fisheries for fishing year 2015.  The deadline to submit public comments on December 15, 2014.

October 2014 Council Meeting Report

The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the October 2014 Council Meeting held in Philadelphia, PA on October 7-9. 

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.

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.

NOAA selects two areas in the North Atlantic for targeted habitat conservation efforts

NOAA has announced the selection of two sites in NOAA’s North Atlantic Region as the next Habitat Focus Areas under NOAA’s Habitat Blueprint. In the Mid-Atlantic, the agency will focus its habitat  conservation and restoration efforts on the Choptank River complex in Maryland and Delaware.