The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet Monday, August 11 – Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Westin Annapolis (100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-972-4300) with a webinar option for those who choose to participate virtually.
Webinar Information
Click here to join the meeting (if prompted, enter access code: 2347 766 8181 and password: nhHDUdTp233)
To join by phone only, dial 415-655-0001 and enter access code 2347 766 8181
LIVE STREAM: To listen to the meeting without joining the webinar, check out the Council meeting live stream on YouTube.
Public Comment
Public comments will be accepted from in-person and remote participants on all major agenda items. Written comments can be submitted through the comment portal linked below or by email to cmoore@mafmc.org. Comments received by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, will be included in the relevant briefing tab. Comments submitted after this deadline and before 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025, will be posted as supplemental materials. After the supplemental comment deadline, comments may only be submitted via the comment form (no email).
Agenda and Briefing Materials
Briefing tabs will be posted on August 1. Supplemental materials will be added as they become available.
Monday, August 11
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness
Develop prioritized list of recommendations for submission to NOAA Fisheries
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Blueline Tilefish Letter
Review correspondence from the SAFMC regarding blueline tilefish
Discuss potential next steps
Tuesday, August 12
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 2026-2028 Illex Squid Specifications
Review Illex assessment and alternative quota evaluation method
Review recommendations from Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel and staff
Adopt specifications and management measures for 2026-2028
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Overview of SQUIBS Longfin Squid Data Collection Program (Dr. Anna Mercer, Cooperative Research Branch Chief, Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC))
Overview of the recently completed SQUIBS data project
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Track Assessment
Overview of the recently completed Research Track stock assessment and peer review
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ---------- LUNCH ----------
1:00 p.m. Council Convenes with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Program (ISFMP) Policy Board
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Recreational Sector Separation Amendment
Review and provide feedback on preliminary conceptual alternatives
Discuss plans for addressing recreational data collection issues removed from this amendment
3:00 p.m. ISFMP Policy Board Adjourns
Council Convenes with the ASMFC Bluefish Management Board
3:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. 2026-2027 Bluefish Specifications
Review recommendations from SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel and staff
Adopt specifications for 2026-2027, including recreational management measures
4:45 p.m. Council Adjourns
4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ASMFC Bluefish Board Only
ASMFC Bluefish Fishery Management Plan review
Wednesday, August 13
9:00 a.m. Council convenes with the ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 2026-2027 Summer Flounder Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Adopt specifications for 2026-2027
Review and revise 2026-2027 commercial measures if needed
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 2026-2027 Scup Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Adopt specifications for 2026-2027
Review and revise 2026-2027 commercial measures if needed
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ---------- LUNCH ----------
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 2026-2027 Black Sea Bass Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Adopt specifications for 2026-2027
Review and revise 2026-2027 commercial measures if needed
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. White Paper on Separate OFLs and ABCs for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass
Review SSC white paper and discuss next steps
4:00 p.m. Council Adjourns
4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Only
ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan review
Thursday, August 14
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Swearing in of new Council members and election of officers
9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Business Session
Committee Reports:
Scientific and Statistical Committee
Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP)
Executive Director’s Report – Dr. Chris Moore
Organization Reports:
NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center
NOAA Office of General Counsel
NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
US Coast Guard
Liaison Reports:
New England Council
South Atlantic Council
Other Business and General Public Comment