October 2015 Council Meeting in Philadelphia, PA

The Council will meet on October 6 – 8, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA at the Doubletree Philadelphia Center City - 237 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, Telephone 215-893-1600.

NEFSC Seeks Candidates for Stock Assessment Workshop Working Groups

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is currently seeking SAW working group applicants for Monkfish, Black Sea Bass, Surfclam, Ocean Quahog, and Atlantic Mackerel. Application questionnaires are due by September 21, 2015 for black sea bass and September 30, 2015 for all other species.

Council to Hold Scoping Hearings for Action on Unmanaged Forage Species

The Council will hold scoping hearings between September 15 and October 1, 2015 to gather public input for a proposed action to protect unmanaged forage species. Written comments may also be submitted through October 2, 2015.

Request for Proposals: Managing Cooperative Fisheries Research

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is accepting proposals to manage a short-term (2015-2017) cooperative research program focusing on Mid-Atlantic fisheries. Closing Date: 9/25/15

August 2015 Council Meeting Report

August 2015 Council Meeting Report (pdf)

Fact Sheet: 2016 Summer Flounder Catch and Landings Limits

Revised 8/20/15

Mid-Atlantic Council and ASMFC Approve Annual Specifications for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish

The Mid-Atlantic Council and the ASMFC met jointly last week in New York, NY to establish specifications for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries.

Fishing, fast growth and climate variability increase the risk of collapse

A recent study of global fish populations suggests that fast-growing species of fish are more vulnerable to population collapses than slow growing species when experiencing overfishing.

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2015 Annual Catch Limits for Atlantic Bluefish

NOAA Fisheries has announced the following annual catch limits for the 2015 bluefish fishery:

Commercial quota: 5.241 million lb.
Recreational harvest limit: 12.951 million lb.
Combined total allowable landings: 18.19 million lb.

August Council Meeting Agenda

The Council will meet August 10 - 13, 2015 in New York, NY at the Holiday Inn Midtown (440 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019: telephone 212-581-8100.)

Request For Proposals: Habitat Research (Due August 21)

The Council is accepting proposals to manage a short-term research program focusing on Mid-Atlantic habitat and fisheries productivity, as they relate to the Council’s managed fisheries.

NEFSC to Hold Industry Outreach Meetings to Review Upcoming Groundfish Assessments

NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) will host outreach meetings on July 22 in Portland, Gloucester, Woods Hole, and New Bedford for fishermen interested in the upcoming operational assessments for 20 stocks of Northeast groundfish.

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Applicants for Trawl Survey Advisory Panel

The Council is soliciting applications from qualified individuals to serve on the Northeast Trawl Survey Advisory Panel. Applications are due by August 4, 2015.

SAFMC Draft Vision Blueprint for the Snapper Grouper Fishery Now Available for Public Input

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is asking stakeholders to provide input on a draft vision blueprint for the snapper grouper fishery during a series of webinars and comment station meetings from July through September 2015. Learn more here.

June 2015 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions and issues considered at the Council's June 8-11 meeting in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

U.S. Commerce Department Announces 2015 Regional Fishery Council Appointments

The U.S. Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 30 new and returning members to the eight regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA Fisheries to manage ocean fish stocks.

Recreational Management Measures for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries; Fishing Year 2015

NOAA Fisheries has approved the final 2015 minimum fish size, angler possession limits, and fishing season rules for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries.

Mid-Atlantic Council Approves Deep Sea Corals Amendment

This week the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved an amendment to protect deep sea corals from the impacts of bottom-tending fishing gear in the Mid-Atlantic.

Vessel Opportunity for Trawl Research Charter with the NEFSC Survey Branch - Deadline June 17, 2015

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is seeking a charter vessel partner to participate in a cooperative research study to estimate trawl gear capture efficiency in order to improve assessments of commercially important fish populations in the Northwest Atlantic. The deadline for quotes is June 13.

Special Management Zones for Delaware Artificial Reefs

NMFS has issued final regulations to implement Special Management Zones for four Delaware artificial reefs

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