Find out what happened at the Council's most recent meeting in Eatontown, New Jersey.
2014/2015 Atlantic Herring RSA Federal Funding Opportunity
2013 Monkfish RSA Awards
NOAA Fisheries has announced the recipients of the 2013 Monkfish Research Set-Aside awards. Read more...
Commerce Department Announces New and Returning Appointments to Fishery Management Councils
The Commerce Department has announced the appointment of 20 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils. The new and reappointed council members begin their three-year terms on August 11. Read more...
Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Public Comments on 5-Year Strategic Plan
The Council has released a draft of its 5-year strategic plan for public comment. Comments from the public will be accepted through July 19, 2013 and reviewed by the Council at its August 13-15 meeting in Wilmington, DE. Read more...
NOAA Fisheries: Final Management Measures for Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fisheries Announced
Today, NOAA Fisheries announced new management measures for the summer flounder, scup and black sea bass recreational fisheries, including minimum fish size, possession limit, and fishing seasons. Read more...
Council Recommends First-Ever Cap on River Herring and Shad Catch
Last week the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved a 236 metric ton (MT) cap on incidental catch of river herring and shad in the U.S. Atlantic mackerel fishery for 2014. Read more...
Council Approves Omnibus Recreational Accountability Measure Amendment
At last week's meeting the Council voted on final management measures to include in the Omnibus Recreational Accountability Measure Amendment and approved the amendment to be submitted for Secretarial review. Read more...
NOAA Fisheries: Fishing Vessel Crew Survey Effort Enters the Last Lap
Social scientists at NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center are encouraging crew members to take advantage of the time remaining to respond to a new survey aimed at gathering data on broad social and economic conditions in the Northeast’s commercial fisheries. Read more...
June Council Meeting Briefing Book is Now Available
Meeting materials for the Council's meeting next week, June 10-13, in Eatontown, NJ are now available. June 2013 Briefing Book →
John Bullard to Discuss Themes of Stakeholder Feedback at June 11 Listening Session in Eatontown, NJ
During the Council's next listening session on June 12, NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Administrator John Bullard will discuss the main themes from a series of public listening sessions throughout the Northeast region. All members of the public are encouraged to attend. More Information...
Next Council Meeting: June 10-13, 2013
The Council has published an agenda for its upcoming meeting in Eatontown, NJ. Key agenda items include:
- Mackerel, squid, butterfish specifications
- Surfclam and ocean quahog specifications
- Review and approve omnibus recreational accountability amendment
- Review and approve draft strategic plan
View full agenda (PDF)
Webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/council2013/
NMFS Publishes Draft 7 Consultation on the Continued Implementation of Seven Northeast Fisheries
The Northeast Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service has published a draft Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 Consultation on the Continued Implementation of Management Measures for seven Northeast fisheries. Download complete PDF/print version.
An Open Letter to Federal Fishery Permit Holders in the Northeast Regarding Observers and At-Sea Monitors
Today, leadership from NOAA Fisheries Northeast and the chairmen of the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils issued an open letter to the fishing industry urging cooperation and respect for fishery observers and at-sea monitors during what is a difficult fishing year for many. Read more...
2013 Scallop RSA Awards Announced
Fourteen research projects have been selected to receive 2013 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside (RSA) awards. Read the full announcement.
Successful Managing Our Nation’s Fisheries Conference Brings Together Diverse Voices
The Managing Our Nation’s Fisheries 3 conference wrapped up today on a successful note, with conference participants developing 128 recommendations for improving fishery sustainability. The draft recommendations are online at http://tinyurl.com/cgugoef and will be further elaborated in the conference proceedings. The conference was coordinated by the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries, and was sponsored by both fishing industry and environmental groups.
NOAA Fisheries MRIP Update: Results from Electronic Logbook Pilot Study Are Now Available
This week the NOAA's Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) announced the completion of a pilot study that tested the feasibility of using electronic logbooks to collect landings and fishing effort data. The final project report, which provides results and recommendations for future work, is now available online at www.countmyfish.noaa.gov.
Council to Discuss Squid Management with Fishing Industry at Upcoming Meetings
The Council has scheduled two public meetings to talk with members of the fishing industry about options for improving management of the longfin and Illex squid fisheries. The meetings will build on input provided by fishermen, processors, scientists, and managers during a Squid Management Workshop held in January 2013.
NOAA Fisheries: New Spiny Dogfish Exemption Areas East and West of Cape Cod Effective Date: June 1, 2013
At the request of Northeast groundfish sectors, NOAA Fisheries is implementing an exempted fishery for spiny dogfish, which would exempt vessels from using a groundfish fishing day-at-sea. Click here for more information.
NOAA Fisheries: Atlantic Bluefish 2013 and 2014 Final Catch Limits Approved
Today, NOAA Fisheries announced approval of the final 2013 and 2014 catch limits for the Atlantic bluefish fishery. The Atlantic bluefish total allowable landings are 23.861 million lb for 2013 and 23.446 million lb for 2014. The 2013 catch limits go into effect on June 6. Click here for more information.