The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet Tuesday, August 11 – Thursday, August 13, 2026 at The Westin Philadelphia (99 South 17th Street at Liberty Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103; 215-563-1600) with a webinar option for those who choose to participate virtually.
Webinar Information
To be posted
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 29, 2026, will be included in the relevant briefing tab. Comments submitted after this deadline and before 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026, will be posted as supplemental materials. After the supplemental comment deadline, comments may only be submitted via the comment form (no email).
Comment portal - coming soon
Agenda and Briefing Materials
Briefing materials and presentations will be posted below as they become available.
Tuesday, August 11th
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Executive Committee (Closed Session)
Review applications for Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) vacancy
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Swearing in of New and Reappointed Council Members
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Election of Officers
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 2027-2028 Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Specifications
Review recommendations from the Advisory Panel, SSC, and staff
Adopt specifications for 2027-2028
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ---------- LUNCH ----------
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Butterfish
2027-2029 Butterfish Specifications
Review recommendations from the Advisory Panel, SSC, Monitoring Committee, and staff
Adopt specifications for 2027-2029
Alternative Butterfish Trip Limits and Other Measures to Increase Quota Utilization
Review analyses and Advisory Panel input
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monkfish and Skates
Review input from the Spring 2026 listening sessions on potential monkfish/skate fishery improvements
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 2027 Chub Mackerel Specifications
Review recommendations from the Advisory Panel, SSC, Monitoring Committee, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications and management measures, and recommend changes if necessary
4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Surveys Update – Dr. Kathryn Ford, NEFSC
Update on the 2025 and 2026 fishery-independent survey seasons
Update on the Regional Industry Based Trawl Survey (RIBTS)
Other survey related topics
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) Scoping Presentation – Corie Grewal, NOAA Fisheries
Review information on the scoping process for potential future ALWTRP modifications
Wednesday, August 12th
9:00 a.m. Council Convenes with the ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. 2027 Summer Flounder Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications, including commercial measures, and revise as necessary
9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 2027 Black Sea Bass Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications, including commercial measures, and revise as necessary
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 2027 Scup Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications, including commercial measures, and revise as necessary
11:30 a.m. Council Adjourns
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Only
ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan review
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ---------- LUNCH ----------
1:00 p.m. Council Reconvenes with ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Scup Winter I Framework
Review alternatives and impacts analysis
Council takes final action
Commission considers initiating addendum
3:00 p.m. Council Convenes with the ASMFC Bluefish Management Board
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 2027 Bluefish Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications, including commercial and recreational measures, and revise as necessary
4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. ASMFC Bluefish Board Only
ASMFC Bluefish Fishery Management Plan review
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) Overview and Recruiting
Review program status and provide feedback
Thursday, August 13th
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Business Session
Committee Reports:
Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC)
Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP)
Executive Director’s Report – Dr. Chris Moore
Approve SSC appointment
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