August 2025 Council Meeting

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met Monday, August 11 – Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Westin Annapolis (100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-972-4300).

Agenda and Briefing Materials

Monday, August 11

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Blueline Tilefish Letter

Tuesday, August 12

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 2026-2028 Illex Squid Specifications

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)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Track Assessment

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

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

4:45 p.m. Council Adjourns

4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  ASMFC Bluefish Board Only - 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

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 2026-2027 Scup Specifications

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ---------- LUNCH ----------

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 2026-2027 Black Sea Bass Specifications

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. SSC White Paper on Separate OFLs and ABCs for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass

4:00 p.m. Council Adjourns

4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Only

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