Mackerel/Squid/Butterfish — Council Actions — Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Alternative Gear Marking Framework

This joint omnibus framework action will consider revisions to gear marking regulations to allow the use of fixed gear without a persistent buoy line, also called on-demand fishing gear, in all New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council fishery management plans.

Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment

This amendment will consider options for managing for-hire recreational fisheries separately from other recreational fishing modes (referred to as sector separation), as well as options related to recreational data collection and reporting.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regulation of Squid Exports

This page contains information related to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s comments regarding the inclusion of U.S. squid fishery products in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) inspection and user fee system for monitoring wildlife imports and exports.

Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum

This action will consider potential changes to two exemptions to the summer flounder commercial minimum mesh size requirements.

Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda

This joint MAFMC-ASMFC action will consider an improved process for setting recreational management measures for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. This is a follow-on action to the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda.

Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment (Amendment 23)

Final Rule (10/1/24)

Illex Vessel Hold Capacity Framework (FW 16)

Final Rule (10/29/24)

Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

This action will concurrently conduct the 5-year EFH review required under the Magnuson Stevens Act while amending fishery management plans for the Council, as needed.

Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment

Final Rule (11/17/22)

Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda

Final Rule (3/9/23)

Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding 2.0 Amendment with Specifications (Amendment 23)

Final Rule (2/1/23)

Recreational Summer Flounder Management Strategy Evaluation

The Council is conducting a management strategy evaluation (MSE) which will evaluate different management strategies designed to minimize discards in the recreational summer flounder fishery. Development of this MSE is part of the continued implementation of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) structured framework process.

Summer Flounder Commercial Issues Amendment (Amendment 21)

Final Rule published 12/14/20

Omnibus Risk Policy Framework

Final Rule published 12/15/20

Illex Quota Working Group

The Illex Working Group will address two closely related problems. The first is to develop an approach for in-year quota adjustments. The second is to lay the basis for a benchmark stock assessment (Research Track) in 2021. Each task will require involvement of scientists, industry, and managers. Both tasks are focused on the challenge of identifying appropriate catch limits for a dynamic, short-lived species whose survival, growth and abundance on the US shelf are driven by a complex interplay of environmental conditions.

Omnibus Commercial Electronic Vessel Trip Report (eVTR) Framework

Final rule published 11/10/20 (effective 11/20/21)

Chub Mackerel Amendment (MSB Amendment 21)

Final Rule published 8/4/20

Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish FMP Goals/Objectives and Illex Permits Amendment (Amendment 22)

Majority disapproved (9/6/22)

Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Framework with Specifications (MSB Framework 13)

Final rule published 10/30/19

Atlantic Mackerel Closure Provisions Framework (MSB Framework 12)

Final Rule published 12/20/18

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is one of eight fishery management councils responsible for the management of marine fisheries in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. The council develops management plans for twelve species of fish and species off the coast of the Mid-Atlantic region.