Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

Source: NOAA Fisheries

Regional fishery management councils are required to designate essential fish habitat (EFH) for species managed under federal fishery management plans (FMPs) and minimize the impacts of fishing in those areas to the extent practicable. Federal regulations also require the Councils and NOAA Fisheries to review EFH provisions of FMPs at least once every five years. In April 2025, the Council completed a technical review of EFH information. Based on this updated information, the Council is developing an Omnibus (“all species and FMPs”) Amendment which will revise the EFH components and any associated management measures for all Council FMPs.

This action is an opportunity to utilize the best available fish habitat science to improve EFH designations and support the Council’s fish habitat conservation efforts while supporting the EFH consultation process. The consultation process plays an important role in addressing the impacts of non-fishing projects (such as wind energy projects) on fish habitat.

Contacts:

Amendment Timeline and Status

Current Action Plan (as of 7/2/25)

October 2022 Council Meeting: Amendment initiated

January 2023: Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) formed.

April 2025 Council Meeting: The Council completed the 5-Year EFH Review and submitted it to NMFS. Report documents are linked in the section below.

Current Status and Next Steps: The FMAT is continuing to develop draft alternatives. Meetings of the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee and Advisory Panel will be held in late summer/early fall. The Council is tentatively scheduled to approve a public hearing draft at the October 2025 meeting.

5-Year EFH Review

The Mid-Atlantic Council completed its most recent 5-year review in April 2025. This review work was conducted in collaboration with the New England Fishery Management Council. The reports linked below provide information on findings related to each of the nine required EFH components.