August 2026 Council Meeting

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met Tuesday, August 11 – Thursday, August 13, 2026 at The Westin Philadelphia (99 South 17th Street at Liberty Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103; 215-563-1600).

Agenda and Briefing Materials

Tuesday, August 11th

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Executive Committee (Closed Session)

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

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

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Butterfish

2027-2029 Butterfish Specifications / Alternative Butterfish Trip Limits and Other Measures to Increase Quota Utilization

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monkfish and Skates

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 2027 Chub Mackerel Specifications

4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Surveys Update – Dr. Kathryn Ford, NEFSC

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) Scoping Presentation – Corie Grewal, NOAA Fisheries - PLEASE NOTE: This agenda item has been cancelled

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

9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 2027 Black Sea Bass Specifications

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 2027 Scup Specifications

11:30 a.m. Council Adjourns

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Only

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

3:00 p.m. Council Convenes with the ASMFC Bluefish Management Board

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 2027 Bluefish Specifications

4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. ASMFC Bluefish Board Only

4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) Overview and Recruiting

Thursday, August 13th      

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Business Session