The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public input on a proposed amendment to rebuild the Atlantic mackerel stock. Written comments must be received by May 9.
Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Public Hearings on Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Amendment
ACFHP Launches General Request for Habitat Conservation Proposals
The following was released by the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership:
In order to respond promptly to funding opportunities from various sources, the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP or Partnership) is soliciting applications for habitat conservation projects in need of funding that align with ACFHP’s objectives and priority habitats. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is not linked to a specific funding source. Instead, newly submitted projects reviewed and approved by ACFHP will be added to our project database and recommended as funding becomes available.
The amount of funding currently and soon to be available for habitat restoration projects is unlike anything we have seen in a generation. With the applications submitted through the RFP, ACFHP is preparing to nimbly respond to new funding opportunities with previously approved projects. There is no deadline for the RFP. The sooner we receive applications, the faster ACFHP can review and consider your project for new funding opportunities. While submitting an application does not guarantee funding, it will increase the visibility of your project among ACFHP partners and other funders.
The RFP can be found on the ACFHP website: Funding Opportunities – Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (atlanticfishhabitat.org)
For questions and to submit your completed application, please email Lisa Havel, ACFHP Director, at LHavel@asmfc.org.
NOAA Fisheries: Sea Turtle Bycatch Measures in Atlantic Trawl Fisheries -- Upcoming Information Gathering!
East Coast Fishery Management Organizations Invite Stakeholder Input on Climate Change Scenario Planning
*** Please note that this questionnaire has closed ***
To help prepare fisheries for an era of climate change, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is collaborating with other East Coast fishery management organizations on a climate change scenario planning initiative. Scenario planning is a way of exploring how fishery management may need to evolve over the next few decades in response to climate change. Additional details are available in the introductory brochure.
We are currently in the scoping phase of the initiative. During this phase we are gathering stakeholder input on forces of change that could affect East coast fisheries in the future. We are inviting all interested stakeholders to complete a questionnaire about the ways you think climate change and other factors will affect fisheries and management in the future. The questionnaire, available at the link below, contains 12 questions and should take 10-30 minutes to complete. This is a great and easy opportunity to become involved and offer your ideas to help guide the issues that we will explore throughout this initiative.
The link will remain open until September 30, 2021, but we encourage you to submit responses as soon as possible. Additional Information about scenario planning can be found at the links below.
Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment Public Hearings
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment
Submit comments - Due March 16
NOAA Fisheries Announces Proposed Adjustments to the Council’s Risk Policy
ASMFC and MAFMC Schedule Public Hearings on Draft Addendum XXXIII/Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment
NOAA Fisheries Proposes Amendment 21 to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, the Summer Flounder Commercial Issues Amendment
NOAA Fisheries has published a proposed rule for the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Summer Flounder Commercial Issues and Goals and Objectives Amendment (Amendment 21 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan). This amendment proposes revisions to the summer flounder commercial state quota allocation percentages and the fishery management plan goals and objectives. Amendment 21 is intended to increase equity in state allocations when annual coastwide commercial quotas are at or above historical averages, while recognizing the economic reliance coastal communities have on the state allocation percentages currently in place.
Supporting Documents
Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement (May 2020)
Amendment action page (background information and documents)
Questions?
Industry: Contact Emily Keiley, NOAA Fisheries Sustainable Fisheries Division, 978-281-9116
Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Office, 978-281-9103
Mid-Atlantic Council Invites Public Input on Ways to Reduce Burdens on Domestic Fishing
NOAA Fisheries Proposes Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting for Commercial Vessels
NEW: National Fish Habitat Partnership Infographic
Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Supplemental Scoping Hearings for Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to Implement Framework Adjustment 14 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan
August 2019 Council Meeting Agenda
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet August 13-15, 2019 at the Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown (21 N. Juniper St., Philadelphia, PA 19107, Telephone 215-496-3200).
NEFSC to Hold Cooperative Research Engagement Sessions
Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Public Hearings for Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment
Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network Seeking Stakeholder Perspectives on Ocean Acidification
The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN), in collaboration with Rutgers University, is seeking perspectives on ocean acidification from stakeholders with fishing and aquaculture interests in the Mid-Atlantic. MACAN’s Stakeholder Outreach Survey is available online through June 14, 2019.