Mid-Atlantic Council Initiates Action in Response to Overage of Black Sea Bass Catch Limit

The Council has initiated a framework action to review and modify accountability measures (AMs) for the commercial black sea bass fishery in response to new information indicating that commercial catch in 2015 exceeded the annual catch limit due to higher than anticipated discards. 

December 2016 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions taken and issues considered at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s December 2016 meeting in Baltimore, MD. Presentations, briefing materials, and audio recordings are available on the Council’s website at http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/december-2016. 

Download December 2016 Council Meeting Report

NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Rule on Boundary Change for Southern Scup Gear Restricted Area

On November 8, 2016, NOAA Fisheries announced a change to the southern and eastern boundaries of the Southern Scup Gear Restricted Area (in effect January 1-March 15), as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This rule is intended to increase access to traditional squid fishing areas, while maintaining protection for juvenile scup. 

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Hearings on New Jersey Special Management Zones

The Council will hold public hearings November 15-17, 2016 to gather public comments on a request by the State of New Jersey to designate 13 artificial reef sites as Special Management Zones. Written comments will be accepted until Friday, November 25, 2016, 11:59 p.m. EST.

October 2016 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions taken and issues considered at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s October 2016 meeting in Galloway, New Jersey. Presentations, briefing materials, and audio recordings are available on the Council’s website at www.mafmc.org/briefing/october-2016.

Download October 2016 Council Meeting Report

Council Votes to Continue Collaborative Efforts on River Herring and Shad

Based on a comprehensive review of existing and planned conservation and management efforts, last week the Council determined that management of river herring and shad (RH/S) through a Council fishery management plan (FMP) is not warranted.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Public Hearing and Comment Period for Industry-Funded Monitoring Amendment

NOAA Fisheries has announced public hearings and the opportunity to comment on the various amendment alternatives for future industry-funded monitoring programs. Public hearings will be held October 4 through November 1. Comments may be submitted by mail or online until November 7.

NOAA Fisheries Publishes Notice of Availability for Proposed Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan Amendment to Protect Deep-Sea Corals

NOAA Fisheries has published a notice of availability for Amendment 16 to the Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan which would establish a deep-sea coral protection area in Mid-Atlantic waters.

Mid-Atlantic Council and ASMFC Maintain Multi-Year Specifications for Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, and Scup and Modify Summer Flounder Specifications

Virginia Beach, VA – Last week the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) reviewed previously implemented specifications for scup, black sea bass and bluefish fisheries and modified specifications for summer flounder.