The Council is seeking a contractor to conduct a Catch Share Program Review of the present and past social and economic conditions in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries which are managed using individual transferrable quotas (ITQs). Proposal Submission Deadline: March 31, 2017.
Mid-Atlantic Council Approves Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Guidance Document
Publication: A Framework for Incorporating Species, Fleet, Habitat, and Climate Interactions into Fishery Management
The following article was published in Frontiers in Marine Science, section Marine Ecosystem Ecology.
A Framework for Incorporating Species, Fleet, Habitat, and Climate Interactions into Fishery Management
Sarah K. Gaichas, Richard J. Seagraves, Jessica M. Coakley, Geret S. DePiper, Vincent G. Guida, Jonathan A. Hare, Paul J. Rago, and Michael J. Wilberg.
Abstract
Marine ecosystems are characterized by many complex interactions. Fisheries managers face the challenge of maintaining or restoring sustainability for individual living resources which are affected by both ecological and economic interactions with other species, through processes like predation and fishing fleet interactions. These species interactions are further complicated by interactions with habitats that are changing due to both human activities and climate change. Often, fishery management systems designed to promote sustainability of individual resources have few tools or processes that also address interactions between species, fleets, habitat, and climate. Here, we review existing and potential fishery assessment and management information and tools, and we develop a potential framework for addressing interactions in management at the request of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The structured framework can be used to first prioritize interactions, second specify key questions regarding high priority interactions, and third tailor appropriate analyses to address them. The primary tools for the initial steps in the framework are risk assessment and Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE). Finally, implemented management would be evaluated to ensure that objectives are being met, or to adjust measures as conditions change. In the final section, we outline an example to illustrate how a structured decision making process within the framework could work.
Full Article:
MSC Evaluation of the U.S. Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog: Announcement of Onsite Visit
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Amendment 17 to the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP
October 2015 Council Meeting Summary
NEFSC Seeks Candidates for Stock Assessment Workshop Working Groups
June 2015 Council Meeting Summary
April 2015 Council Meeting Summary
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.
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 Initiates Action to Protect Unmanaged Forage Species
Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Hearings on Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Amendment
December 10 Listening Session: Deep Sea Corals in the Mid-Atlantic
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.
2015 fishing year regulations announced for Atlantic surfclams and ocean quahog fisheries
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.
NOAA selects two areas in the North Atlantic for targeted habitat conservation efforts
NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Measures for the 2014 Fishing Year
NOAA Fisheries today announced the 2014 fishing year measures for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries which will be effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Click here for details.