The Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) / Plan Development Team (PDT) will meet via webinar on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The joint FMAT/PDT will meet to discuss and develop the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) 3-Year Review in order to assess SBRM’s effectiveness. As time allows, there will be opportunities for technical-focused public questions in the middle of the meeting, and then again at the end.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, 302-526-5254, jdidden@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• ONLINE ACCESS:  This meeting will be broadcast online via Google Meet. Click the following link to join: https://meet.google.com/uyj-havd-urt .  After joining the meeting, you can choose to use your computer audio or your phone to hear and speak.

• CALL-IN:  Dial 470-705-4833 / Access Code: ‪623 169 694.  Phone-only attendees are NOT muted by default when joining. Please be sure to mute your phone upon joining the call so that there will be no interference with the discussion.

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. FMAT members may discuss topics listed on the agenda in any order and may also discuss topics not listed. Members of the public may attend FMAT meetings, or listen to the meetings if they are broadcast, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the FMAT chair invites public input during a specified public comment period to be noted at the beginning of the meeting. Work carried out by the FMAT is considered during committee and/or Council meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The Council’s and ASMFC’s joint Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT)/Plan Development Team (PDT) for the Recreational Sector Separation Amendment will meet via Webinar on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 from 1-3pm. The group will discuss workshop outcomes and preparation for the November Council and Policy Board meeting.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar

• For phone-only access, dial: 1-415-655-0001 and enter Access Code/Meeting ID: 2343 706 2086

The East Coast Coordination Group will meet via webinar to discuss planning for a 2027 governance workshop and other ongoing priorities.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar via Google Meet

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Action Tracking Sheet (as of October 2026)

• ECCG Coordinated Priorities for 2027

• Potential Action Menu - 2026 Update  

• Presentation: RAPID Update & Recreational Fishing Executive Order

• Governance Workshop Context and Agenda Development

  • Presentation: Governance Workshop Planning

  • Supplemental: Staff to Staff Governance Workshop Summary Report

Staff Contacts:

• Karla Gore (SERO), karla.gore@noaa.gov, (727) 551-5753

• Kiley Dancy (MAFMC), kdancy@mafmc.org, 302-526-5257

The Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel Working Group will hold a series of meeting via webinar occurring every three to four weeks, approximately. During these meetings, the Working Group will continue their discussion on the Regional Industry-Based Trawl Survey (RIBTS) Phase 2 pilot project.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2335 295 0776; Password: b44wUVuBti3)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2335 295 0776. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Agenda

• Survey timing

The Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) / Plan Development Team (PDT) will meet via webinar on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The joint FMAT/PDT will meet to discuss and develop the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) 3-Year Review in order to assess SBRM’s effectiveness. As time allows, there will be opportunities for technical-focused public questions in the middle of the meeting, and then again at the end.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, 302-526-5254, jdidden@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• ONLINE ACCESS:  This meeting will be broadcast online via Google Meet. Click the following link to join: https://meet.google.com/tiz-twmm-hbm.  After joining the meeting, you can choose to use your computer audio or your phone to hear and speak.

• CALL-IN:  Dial 470-705-4833 / Access Code: ‪860 535 851.  Phone-only attendees are NOT muted by default when joining. Please be sure to mute your phone upon joining the call so that there will be no interference with the discussion.

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. FMAT members may discuss topics listed on the agenda in any order and may also discuss topics not listed. Members of the public may attend FMAT meetings, or listen to the meetings if they are broadcast, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the FMAT chair invites public input during a specified public comment period to be noted at the beginning of the meeting. Work carried out by the FMAT is considered during committee and/or Council meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The MAFMC's Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Monitoring Committee will meet via webinar on Friday, September 25, 2026 from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. The Monitoring Committee will primarily review previously adopted 2027 Specifications for Illex and Atlantic Mackerel.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, jdidden@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5254

Webinar Connection Information

• Click here to join

• More ways to join: 

  Join from the meeting link

  https://midatlanticfisheriesmc.webex.com/midatlanticfisheriesmc/j.php?MTID=mac4217409a68bb3cc6b922b7d8a16242

   Join by meeting number

  Meeting number (access code): 2341 421 6932

  Meeting password: 3XcyPeFpF82

  Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)

  +1-415-655-0001,,23414216932## US Toll

  +1-646-992-2010,,23414216932## United States Toll (New York City) 

  Join by phone

  +1-415-655-0001 US Toll

  +1-646-992-2010 United States Toll (New York City)

  Global call-in numbers

   

Meeting Materials

• Relevant materials are posted to the September 2026 SSC Meeting Page -see Atlantic mackerel and Illex 2027 Specifications Reviews

The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) did not change the previously-adopted 2027 spiny dogfish Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC), which would be the same as the 2026 ABC. No Monitoring Committee members had operational issues to raise relevant to changing other previously-adopted 2027 specifications, which would also remain the same as 2026, so this meeting was canceled.

Reviewing the 2027 specifications is still an agenda item for the Council’s October 2026 Meeting, and public comments are accepted before and at that meeting (see meeting link for comment instructions).

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, jdidden@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5254

The Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel Working Group will hold a series of meeting via webinar occurring every three to four weeks, approximately. During these meetings, the Working Group will continue their discussion on the Regional Industry-Based Trawl Survey (RIBTS) Phase 2 pilot project.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2335 295 0776; Password: b44wUVuBti3)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2335 295 0776. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Agenda

1. RIBTS Request for Proposal update

2. Debrief from RIBTS presentation during the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) meeting

3. Review and prioritized RIBTS Phase II planning tasks

4. Review draft agenda items for the remainder of the 2026 Working Group meetings

The Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) / Plan Development Team (PDT) will meet via webinar on Monday, August 31, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The joint FMAT/PDT will meet to discuss and develop the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) 3-Year Review in order to assess SBRM’s effectiveness. As time allows, there will be opportunities for technical-focused public questions in the middle of the meeting, and then again at the end.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, 302-526-5254, jdidden@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• ONLINE ACCESS:  This meeting will be broadcast online via Google Meet. Click the following link to join: https://meet.google.com/fnj-arzs-szr.  After joining the meeting, you can choose to use your computer audio or your phone to hear and speak.

• CALL-IN:  Dial 929-256-1534 / Access Code: ‪178 313 574#.  Phone-only attendees are NOT muted by default when joining. Please be sure to mute your phone upon joining the call so that there will be no interference with the discussion.

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. FMAT members may discuss topics listed on the agenda in any order and may also discuss topics not listed. Members of the public may attend FMAT meetings, or listen to the meetings if they are broadcast, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the FMAT chair invites public input during a specified public comment period to be noted at the beginning of the meeting. Work carried out by the FMAT is considered during committee and/or Council meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The Council’s and ASMFC’s joint Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT)/Plan Development Team (PDT) for the Recreational Sector Separation Amendment will meet via Webinar on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 9am-12pm. The group will discuss workshop plans and continue discussions of developing alternatives for this action.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar

• For phone-only access, dial: +1 (650) 419-1505 and enter Access Code/Meeting ID: 665416956

The Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel will hold a meeting via webinar on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, jdidden@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5254

Webinar Connection Information

• https://midatlanticfisheriesmc.webex.com/midatlanticfisheriesmc/j.php?MTID=m449af62aa9140f66e1f74332344591a1

Meeting Materials

• 2026 Fishery Information Document

• NEFSC Data Update

• Exempted Fishing Permit FR Notice (Comments due Aug 12)

• 2025 Fishery Performance Report (for reference)

The Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel Working Group will hold a series of meeting via webinar occurring every three to four weeks, approximately. During these meetings, the Working Group will continue their discussion on the Regional Industry-Based Trawl Survey (RIBTS) Phase 2 pilot project.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2334 508 0381; Password: uxAjdkY8X53)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2334 508 0381. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Agenda

1. Data Acquisition System for Phase II RIBTS 

2. Data Positions for Phase II RIBTS

3. Equipment Purchases for Phase II RIBTS

4. Phase II RIBTS RFP Logistics

The Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) / Plan Development Team (PDT) will meet via webinar on Monday, July 27, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The joint FMAT/PDT will meet to discuss and develop the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) 3-Year Review in order to assess SBRM’s effectiveness. As time allows, there will be opportunities for technical-focused public questions in the middle of the meeting, and then again at the end.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, 302-526-5254, jdidden@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• ONLINE ACCESS:  This meeting will be broadcast online via Google Meet. Click the following link to join: https://meet.google.com/yra-vtfm-kbh.  After joining the meeting, you can choose to use your computer audio or your phone to hear and speak.

• CALL-IN:  Dial (650) 466-0970 / Access Code: 681-691-711.  Phone-only attendees are NOT muted by default when joining. Please be sure to mute your phone upon joining the call so that there will be no interference with the discussion.

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. FMAT members may discuss topics listed on the agenda in any order and may also discuss topics not listed. Members of the public may attend FMAT meetings, or listen to the meetings if they are broadcast, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the FMAT chair invites public input during a specified public comment period to be noted at the beginning of the meeting. Work carried out by the FMAT is considered during committee and/or Council meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The MAFMC's Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Monitoring Committee will meet via webinar on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

During this meeting the Monitoring Committee will review recent fishery information and recommendations from the Advisory Panel, Scientific and Statistical Committee, and staff. The Monitoring Committee will then review previously adopted 2027 catch and landings limits and other management measures for Atlantic chub mackerel and recommend changes if needed. They will also recommend 2027-2029 catch and landings limits and other management measures, including trip limits, for butterfish.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, jdidden@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5254

Webinar Connection Information

• Click here to join the meeting.  (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2349 055 9558; Password: MMfXtAw7N42). After you connect, you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• For phone only access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2349 055 9558. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• See species-relevant materials at: https://www.mafmc.org/ssc-meetings/july-2026

• Also see https://www.mafmc.org/s/MC-role-summary-updated_2026-05-11.pdf, which describes the role of Monitoring Committees

• The ABCs recommended by the SSC on July 16 for butterfish were 13,565 metric tons (MT) for 2027, 13,294 MT for 2028, and 13,028 MT for 2029 (2026 ABC = 13,842 MT). The current chub mackerel ABC was not changed.

The Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils will hold a public meeting of a Joint Blueline Tilefish Subcommittee. The meeting will be held via webinar on Monday July 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Staff Contacts: Hannah Hart (302-526-5263, hhart@mafmc.org)

Webinar Information

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting number: 2341 069 4897; Meeting password: m3FWZh2DgV7)

• Join by phone 
  +1-415-655-0001 US Toll 
  +1-646-992-2010 United States Toll (New York City) 
  (If prompted, enter Access code: 2341 069 4897)

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Subcommittee Meeting Summary Report – May 1, 2026

• South Atlantic Deepwater Longline (SADL) Survey 2025 Blueline Tilefish CPUE Map

• Commercial and Recreational Information by Region

• Commercial and Recreational Blueline Tilefish Data Sources and Management by Region

• Commercial and Recreational Blueline Tilefish Landings

• Draft Weighting/Rubric Approach

• Memorandum of Understanding Example

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Bluefish Monitoring Committee will hold a public meeting via webinar on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Staff Contact: Jose Montanez: jmontanez@mafmc.org; 302-526-5258

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the meeting.  (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2330 775 3500; Password: BFMC21JULY2026). After you connect, you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• For phone only access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2330 775 3500. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• 2026 Bluefish Fishery Information Document

• 2026 Bluefish Fishery Performance Report

• 2026 Data Update, Unit Stock of Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix

• Staff Memo: Atlantic Bluefish 2027 Specifications Review

• Supplementals Materials

  • Role of Monitoring Committees in Setting Annual Specifications (5/11/2026)

  • Recreational Catch Predictions and Performance: 2-year averages

  • Recreational Catch Predictions and Performance: 3-year averages

The MAFMC’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass (SFSBSB) Monitoring Committee will meet via webinar Monday, July 20, 2026 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

During this meeting the Monitoring Committee will review recent fishery information and recommendations from the Advisory Panel, Scientific and Statistical Committee, and staff. The Monitoring Committee will then review previously adopted 2027 commercial and recreational annual catch limits, annual catch targets, commercial quotas, commercial measures, and recreational harvest limits for all three species and recommend changes if needed.

Staff contacts:

• Julia Beaty (lead for black sea bass): jbeaty@mafmc.org; 302-526-5250

• Hannah Hart (lead for summer flounder): hhart@mafmc.org; 302-526-5263

• Hayden Dubniczki (lead for scup): hdubniczki@mafmc.org; 302-526-5259

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar. Meeting number (access code): 2333 683 5527; Meeting password: AHpA2t7UvC3

• Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll - Access Code: 2333 683 5527

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Summer Flounder

• Staff Memo: 2027 Summer Flounder Specifications Review

• 2026 Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel Fishery Performance Report

• 2026 Summer Flounder Fishery Information Document

• Black Sea Bass

• Staff Memo: 2027 Black Sea Bass Specifications Review

• 2026 Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel Fishery Performance Report

• 2026 Black Sea Bass Fishery Information Document

• Scup

• Staff Memo: 2027 Scup Specifications Review

• Analysis of Commercial Scup Winter I 1,000-Pound Trip Limit Alternatives

• 2026 Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel Fishery Performance Report

• 2026 Scup Fishery Information Document

• Supplemental

• Role of Monitoring Committees in Setting Annual Specifications (5/11/2026)

• 2026 NEFSC Summer Flounder Data Update

• 2026 NEFSC Black Sea Bass Data Update

• 2026 NEFSC Scup Data Update

The Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils will hold a public meeting of a Joint Blueline Tilefish Subcommittee. The meeting will be held via webinar on Monday July 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Staff Contacts: Hannah Hart (302-526-5263, hhart@mafmc.org)

Webinar Information

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting number: 2341 069 4897; Meeting password: m3FWZh2DgV7)

• Join by phone 
  +1-415-655-0001 US Toll 
  +1-646-992-2010 United States Toll (New York City) 
  (If prompted, enter Access code: 2341 069 4897)

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Subcommittee Meeting Summary Report – May 1, 2026

• South Atlantic Deepwater Longline (SADL) Survey 2025 Blueline Tilefish CPUE Map

• Commercial and Recreational Information by Region

• Commercial and Recreational Blueline Tilefish Data Sources and Management by Region

• Commercial and Recreational Blueline Tilefish Landings

• Draft Weighting/Rubric Approach

• Memorandum of Understanding Example

The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils will hold a public meeting of their joint Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel on Thursday, July 9, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in New Bedford, MA. (New Bedford Port Authority Office - 123 Macarthur Drive, New Bedford, MA, 02740)

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar. Meeting number (access code): 2333 055 1003; Meeting password: BvqdaQ5MX47

• Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 US Toll - Access Code: 2333 055 1003

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Northeast Fishery Science Center Updates

• Phase 1 Regional Industry Based Trawl Survey (RIBTS) Update

• Phase 2 RIBTS Working Group Progress Report

The Commercial Scup Winter I Framework Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) will meet via webinar on Tuesday, July 7, from 10 am to 12 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to continue developing potential management alternatives for this action. The Council has prioritized an expedited timeline for this action to ensure that any regulatory changes will be implemented in time for the 2027 Winter I fishery. Framework meeting 1 was held in June 2026, and framework meeting 2 is scheduled for August 2026 (final action). 

Staff Contact:  Hayden Dubniczki, 302-526-5259, hdubniczki@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar. (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2346 743 2634; Password: c8Dn2u7t6Xu). After you connect, you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• For phone only access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2346 743 2634. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. FMAT members may discuss topics listed on the agenda in any order and may also discuss topics not listed. Members of the public may attend FMAT meetings, or listen to the meetings if they are broadcast, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the FMAT chair invites public input during a specified public comment period to be noted at the beginning of the meeting. Work carried out by the FMAT is considered during committee and/or Council meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The Council’s Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting, via webinar, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Advisory Panel to develop a fishery performance report (FPR) for Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2346 126 7212; Password: $COQAPJuly2026)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2346 126 7212. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• 2025 Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Performance Report

• 2026 Surfclam Fishery Information Document

• 2026 Ocean Quahog Fishery Information Document

The Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel Working Group will hold a series of meeting via webinar occurring every three to four weeks, approximately. During these meetings, the Working Group will continue their discussion on the Regional Industry-Based Trawl Survey (RIBTS) Phase 2 pilot project.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2342 575 1081; Password: mXmZANdA388)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2342 575 1081. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Meeting materials will be posted when available.