Effective March 9

Today, NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule implementing a new process to set recreational management measures (bag, size, and season limits) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board. The approved changes also include modifications to the recreational accountability measures. The new approach is part of a broader long-term effort by both the Council and Commission to improve recreational management of these four species. The new management program aims to provide greater stability and predictability in recreational measures from year-to-year while accounting for scientific variability in stock assessment and management data, including recreational data.

The new process allows managers to consider two factors: 1) biomass compared to the target, and 2) estimated recent recreational harvest compared to future harvest limits, to determine if management measures need to change and, if so, by how much.

Additional information can be found on the Council’s webpage.

For more information read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register or our bulletin.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Emily Keiley, Sustainable Fisheries, 978-281-9116

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

New Web Page Highlights MAFMC Responses to Climate Change

The new Climate Change and Mid-Atlantic Fisheries page provides a comprehensive overview of actions the Council has taken to build resilient, climate-ready fisheries.

February 2023 Council Meeting Report

Open Report

Request for Nominations: Scientific and Statistical Committee

The Council is seeking one qualified candidate to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee. All applications must be received by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Scientific and Statistical Committee to Meet March 7-8, 2023

View details.

NOAA Fisheries is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee

Nominations are due March 13, 2023.

NOAA Fisheries: Frequent Questions—Offshore Wind and Whales

Request for Proposals to Develop a National Fishing Effects Database to support Fishery Management Councils Essential Fish (EFH) Habitat Reviews

The Mid‐Atlantic Fishery Management Council seeks a highly-qualified contractor to develop a nationally useful database of literature on the effects of fishing gear on marine fish habitat. Proposal Submission Deadline: February 28, 2023.