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.

October 2025 Council Meeting: The Council approved a public hearing document.

Next Steps: Hearings will be held between December 2, 2025 and February 3, 2026, and written comments will be accepted through February 11, 2026 (details coming soon). Final action is expected in April 2026.

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.