Mid-Atlantic Council Approves Revised Stock Rebuilding Plan for Atlantic Mackerel
MAFMC & ASMFC Take First Step Toward Recreational Management Reform for Bluefish, Sumer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass
NEFMC Invites Scoping Comments on Limited Access Scallop Leasing Program
NOAA Fisheries is Seeking Nominations for U.S. Commissioners to Regional Fisheries Management Organizations
NOAA Fisheries is seeking nominations for qualified individuals to serve as non-government U.S. commissioners to eight regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), including two in the Greater Atlantic Region: Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) and North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO).
Reminder: Sea Turtle Bycatch Measures in Atlantic Trawl Fisheries - Information Needed by May 31
June 2022 Council Meeting
NOAA Fisheries Invites Public Comment on New Draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy
NOAA Fisheries is accepting public comment on the strategy through August 19. Four public webinars have been scheduled, with additional in-person comment opportunities to be announced.
Black Sea Bass Stock Assessment - Stakeholder Engagement Meeting
May 10-11 SSC Meeting - WEBINAR
The May 10-11 SSC Meeting which was previously planned as a hybrid meeting will now be held 100% virtually. See the meeting page for webinar details.
Reminder: Submit Comments on Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Amendment by May 9
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public input on a proposed amendment to rebuild the Atlantic mackerel stock. Written comments must be received by May 9.
Reminder: Public Comment on Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda to Close Friday, April 22
The deadline for submitting public comment on the Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Draft Addenda is this Friday, April 22nd at 11:59 PM.
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are considering changes to the process for setting recreational management measures (bag, size, and season limits) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. The Council is considering these changes through a framework action, and the Commission is considering an identical set of options through draft addenda. Collectively, these management actions are referred to as the Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/ Draft Addenda. The Council and Commission are scheduled to consider final action during the June 2022 Council Meeting.
Written comments may be submitted through April 22, 2022. Comments should be sent to Dustin Colson Leaning at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Harvest Control Rule).
The Commission’s Draft Document for Public Comment provides detailed information about each option under consideration in the Framework/Draft Addenda. Additionally, an Options Reference Guide has been developed to help stakeholders understanding and compare the proposed management options.
Contact: If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Julia Beaty at jbeaty@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5250.
Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Public Hearings on Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Amendment
April 2022 Council Meeting Summary
East Coast Scenario Planning – Scenario Creation Workshop to Be Held June 21-23, 2022
Those interested in participating in the workshop should complete an application by April 18, 2022.
NOAA Fisheries and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Announce Efforts to Mitigate Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy Development on NOAA Fisheries’ Surveys
NOAA Fisheries and BOEM have developed a Draft Federal Survey Mitigation Strategy to address anticipated impacts of offshore wind energy development on NOAA Fisheries’ scientific surveys. Two informational webinars will be held on March 29 and 30. Comments can be submitted here through May 6.
ACFHP Launches General Request for Habitat Conservation Proposals
The following was released by the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership:
In order to respond promptly to funding opportunities from various sources, the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP or Partnership) is soliciting applications for habitat conservation projects in need of funding that align with ACFHP’s objectives and priority habitats. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is not linked to a specific funding source. Instead, newly submitted projects reviewed and approved by ACFHP will be added to our project database and recommended as funding becomes available.
The amount of funding currently and soon to be available for habitat restoration projects is unlike anything we have seen in a generation. With the applications submitted through the RFP, ACFHP is preparing to nimbly respond to new funding opportunities with previously approved projects. There is no deadline for the RFP. The sooner we receive applications, the faster ACFHP can review and consider your project for new funding opportunities. While submitting an application does not guarantee funding, it will increase the visibility of your project among ACFHP partners and other funders.
The RFP can be found on the ACFHP website: Funding Opportunities – Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (atlanticfishhabitat.org)
For questions and to submit your completed application, please email Lisa Havel, ACFHP Director, at LHavel@asmfc.org.
April 2022 Council Meeting Agenda
Public Hearings Scheduled for Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda
This action considers changes to the process for setting recreational management measures (bag, size, and season limits) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. Eight virtual public hearings will be held between March 16 and April 13, 2022, and written comments may be submitted through April 22, 2022.