August 2017 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions taken and issues considered at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s August 2017 meeting in Philadelphia, PA. Presentations, briefing materials, and webinar recordings are available on the Council website at www.mafmc.org/briefing/august-2017.   

Open August 2017 Council Meeting Summary (pdf)

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Scoping Hearings for Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment

The Council will hold four scoping hearings in July to solicit public input on the Excessive Shares Amendment to the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog FMP. Written comments may be submitted through July 21, 2017.

Notice of availability: Blueline Tilefish Amendment to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries has published a notice of availability for Amendment 6 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan (previously referred to as the "Blueline Tilefish Amendment"). Comments on the amendment will be accepted through August 14, 2017.

Request for Proposals: Evaluation of F-Based Management for the Recreational Summer Flounder Fishery

The Council is seeking a contractor to evaluate the feasibility of developing a fishing mortality (F) based management approach for the recreational summer flounder fishery. Proposals are due by June 19, 2017.

Joint Council Meeting with ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board in Alexandria, VA: May 10, 2017

The public is invited to attend a joint meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board to be held on May 10, 2017 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Request for Proposals: Atlantic Chub Mackerel Stock Assessment

The Council is seeking a highly-qualified contractor to facilitate development of a quantitative stock assessment for Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) to support development of management measures for chub mackerel fisheries. Proposals are due by April 30, 2017.

Request for Proposals: Catch Share Program Review for Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fisheries

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.