Request for Proposals: Development of a Quantitative Stock Assessment for Black Sea Bass

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking a highly qualified contractor to facilitate the development of a quantitative stock assessment for the northern black sea bass stock to support management of the black sea bass fishery.

Proposals are due by May 29, 2015.

NOAA Fisheries: Successful Conservation Efforts Recognized in Proposed ESA Humpback Whale Listing Revision

NOAA Fisheries has announced a proposal to reclassify the humpback whale into 14 distinct population segments and to remove ten of those populations from the endangered species list. The proposed changes are expected to provide a more tailored conservation approach for U.S. fisheries managers.

Council Initiates Action to Manage Blueline Tilefish

The Council voted this week to move forward with development of measures for the long-term management of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic.

April 2015 Council Meeting

Briefing materials, presentations, and other information from the Council's recent meeting are available on the April 2015 Council Meeting page.

NOAA Fisheries Announces $2.5 Million Available for Innovative Bycatch Solutions

NOAA Fisheries is now accepting project proposals its Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program (BREP). Approximately $2.5 million is available to fishermen, academics, and other interested groups for projects that offer practical solutions to reduce bycatch. Pre-proposals are due by April 16 with full applications due by May 28, 2015.

April 15 Listening Session: Squid Capacity Amendment

Members of the public are invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Council’s next listening session at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 in Long Branch, New Jersey to provide input for the development of a Squid Capacity Amendment.

Council Meeting in Long Branch, NJ: April 14 - 16, 2015

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's upcoming meeting to be held April 14-16, 2015 in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Council to Hold Scoping Hearings for Squid Capacity Amendment: April 6 - 21, 2015

The Council has scheduled six scoping hearings between April 6 and April 21, 2015 to gather input for a potential amendment that would address capacity of the longfin squid and Illex squid fleets. Written scoping comments can also be submitted HERE.

February 2015 Council Meeting Report

The following summary highlights Council actions and issues considered at the February 10-12, 2015 Council Meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Council Recommends Emergency Action for Blueline Tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic

The Council has voted to request that the National Marine Fisheries Service implement emergency rules to restrict commercial and recreational landings of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic.

Council Takes Final Action on Cost Recovery Amendment

The Mid-Atlantic Council has approved the Cost Recovery Amendment to the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management (FMP). The amendment addresses cost recovery requirements, streamlines the process for updating stock status determination criteria, and removes the optimum yield (OY) ranges specified in the FMP.

George Darcy Receives Ricks E Savage Award

Last week the Council named George Darcy, former NOAA Fisheries Assistant Regional Administrator, as the 2015 recipient of the Ricks E Savage Award.

Council Member Dewey Hemilright Honored in 'Busch Heroes' Campaign

This week, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council member Dewey Hemilright was announced as one of six individuals in the Busch 2015 Class of Heroes.

Council to Hold Blueline Tilefish Webinar Meeting - Feb. 25, 1:30 p.m.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold an emergency meeting via webinar on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 from 1:30 until 4:30 p.m. to consider requesting emergency action for deepwater snapper/grouper species, including blueline tilefish, within the Mid-Atlantic Council’s jurisdiction.

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Workshop on Deep Sea Coral Zone Boundaries

The Council has voted to postpone final action on the Deep Sea Corals Amendment in order to allow for further analysis of the alternatives and to provide additional opportunities for stakeholder input.

Listening Session: New Recreational Fishing Effort Estimation Methodology

Members of the public are invited to attend the Council’s next listening session at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11th for a presentation and discussion about new methods of estimating recreational fishing effort.

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeking Applications for Advisory Panel Members

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is soliciting applications from qualified individuals to serve on seven advisory panels. Applications are due by February 27, 2015.

Interactive Deep Sea Corals Mapper Now Available

An interactive mapper tool is now available for stakeholders and managers to explore the areas that have been proposed for protection as part of the Mid-Atlantic Council’s Deep Sea Corals Amendment.

February 2015 Council Meeting Agenda

The Council will hold its next meeting February 10-12, 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Hearings on Deep Sea Corals Amendment

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold six public hearings in January to gather public comments on the Deep Sea Corals Amendment to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Hearings will be held January 12 – 20, 2015, and written comments will be accepted until January 28, 2015.

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