Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass

1988: Original FMP established management plan for summer flounder.

1991: Amendment 1 established an overfishing definition for summer flounder.

1993: Amendment 2 established rebuilding schedule, commercial quotas, recreational harvest limits, size limits, gear restrictions, permits, and reporting requirements for summer flounder. This amendment also created the Summer Flounder Monitoring Committee.

1993: Amendment 3 revised the exempted fishery line for summer flounder, increased the large mesh net threshold for summer flounder, and established otter trawl retention requirements for large mesh use in the summer flounder fishery.

1993: Amendment 4 revised state-specific shares for summer flounder commercial quota allocation.

1993: Amendment 5 allowed states to combine or transfer summer flounder commercial quota.

1994: Amendment 6 set criteria for allowance of multiple nets on board commercial vessels for summer flounder, established a deadline for publishing catch limits, and established commercial management measures for summer flounder.

1995: Amendment 7 revised the fishing mortality rate reduction schedule for summer flounder.

1996: Amendment 8 incorporated Scup FMP into Summer Flounder FMP and established scup management measures, including commercial quotas, recreational harvest limits, size limits, gear restrictions, permits, and reporting requirements.

1996: 1996 Regulatory Amendment established seasonal quota periods for the commercial scup fishery.

1996: Amendment 9 incorporated Black Sea Bass into the Summer Flounder FMP and established black sea bass measures, including commercial quotas, recreational harvest limits, size limits, gear restrictions, permits, and reporting requirements.

1997: Amendment 10 modified commercial minimum mesh requirements, continued commercial vessel moratorium, prohibited transfer of summer flounder at sea, and established special permit for party/charter sector for summer flounder.

1998: Amendment 11 modified certain provisions related to vessel replacement and upgrading, permit history transfer, splitting, and permit renewal regulations.

1999: Amendment 12 revised the FMP to comply with the SFA and established framework adjustment process.

2001: Framework 1 established quota set-aside for research for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass.

2001: Framework 2 established state-specific conservation equivalency measures.

2003: Framework 3 allowed the rollover of winter scup quota and revised the start date for summer quota period for scup fishery.

2003: Framework 4 established a system to transfer scup at sea.

2003: Amendment 13 addressed the disapproved sections of Amendment 12, revised black sea bass commercial quota system, and addressed other black sea bass mgmt. measures. (Amendment 13 Appendices)

2004: Framework 5 established multi-year specification setting of quota for all three species.

2006: Framework 6 established region-specific conservation equivalency measures for summer flounder.

2007: Framework 7  built flexibility into process to define and update status determination criteria for each plan species. Final Rule - 10/01/07.

2007: Amendment 14 established a rebuilding schedule for scup and made scup GRAs modifiable through framework adjustment process. Final Rule - 7/23/07.

2008: Amendment 16 implemented standardized bycatch reporting methodology. Final Rule - 1/28/08.

2011: Amendment 15 is an omnibus amendment that implemented Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) to avoid overfishing and ensure accountability. Final Rule - 9/29/11.

2013: Amendment 19 - Omnibus Recreational Accountability Amendment modified the accountability measures for the Council's recreational fisheries. Final Rule - 12/19/13.

2015: Amendment 17 is an omnibus amendment that implemented a new Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology to address a legal challenge. Final Rule - 6/30/15.

2015: Framework 8 - Black Sea Bass May Opening Framework allowed the black sea bass recreational fishery to begin on May 15 of each year, instead of May 19, to provide additional fishing opportunities. Final Rule - 3/25/15.

2015: Amendment 18 - Omnibus Amendment to Simplify Vessel Baselines eliminated the requirement for vessel owners to submit "did not fish" reports for the months or weeks when their vessel was not fishing and removed some of the restrictions for upgrading vessels listed on Federal fishing permits. Final Rule - 8/26/15.

2016: Framework 9 - Scup GRA Framework modified the southern and eastern boundaries of the Southern Scup Gear Restricted Area (in effect January 1-March 15). Final Rule - 11/9/16.

2017: Amendment 20 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic. Final Rule - 8/28/17.

2017: Framework 10 - Omnibus For-Hire Electronic Trip Report Framework implemented a requirement for vessels that hold party/charter permits for Council-managed species to submit vessel trip reports electronically (eVTRs) while on a trip carrying passengers for hire. Final Rule - 9/11/17.

2018: Framework 11 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) and clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules. Final Rule - 4/11/2018.

2018: Framework 12 - Scup Quota Period Framework modified the dates of the commercial scup quota periods, moving the month of October from the Summer Period to the Winter II Period. Final Rule - 4/19/18.

2018: Framework 13 - Commercial Accountability Measures Framework modified the accountability measures required for overages not caused by directed landings (i.e., discards) in the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. Final Rule - 10/25/18.

2019: Framework 14 – Conservation Equivalency, Block Island Sound Transit, and Recreational Slot Limits Framework gave the Council the option to waive the federal recreational black sea bass measures in favor of state measures through conservation equivalency; implemented a transit zone in Block Island Sound; and allowed for the use of a maximum size limit in the recreational summer flounder and black sea bass fisheries. Final rule - 11/29/19.

2020: Framework 15 – Omnibus Commercial Electronic Reporting Framework established a requirement for commercial vessels with federal permits for all species managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours after entering port at the conclusion of a trip. Final Rule - 11/10/20.

2020: Amendment 21 – Summer Flounder Commercial Issues and Goals and Objectives Amendment modified the summer flounder commercial state quota allocation system and FMP goals and objectives. Final Rule - 12/14/20.

2020: Framework 16 – Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch and Risk Policy Framework modified the Council’s ABC control rule and risk policy. The revised risk policy is intended to reduce the probability of overfishing as stock size falls below the target biomass while allowing for increased risk and greater economic benefit under higher stock biomass conditions. This action also removed the typical/atypical species distinction currently included in the risk policy. Final Rule - 12/15/20.

2022: Amendment 22 - Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment revised the commercial and recreational sector allocations for all three species. Final Rule - 11/13/22.

2023: Framework 17 - Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework established a new process for setting recreational bag, size, and season limits (i.e., recreational measures) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. This action also modified the recreational accountability measures for these species. Final Rule - 3/9/23.

Bluefish

1990: Original FMP established management of Atlantic bluefish fisheries

2000: Amendment 1 brought the FMP into compliance with new and revised National Standards and other required provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act, implemented a rebuilding plan, and required that a commercial quota and recreational harvest limit be based on projected stock size estimates as derived from the latest stock assessment information. Amendment 1 - Volume 2 (Appendices).

2001: Framework 1 created a quota set-aside for the purpose of conducting scientific research. Final Rule.

2007: Amendment 2 implemented standardized bycatch reporting methodology. Final Rule.

2011: Amendment 3 established Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs). Final Rule.

2013: Amendment 4 modified the accountability measures for the Council's recreational fisheries. Final Rule.

2015: Amendment 5 implemented a new Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology to address a legal challenge. Final Rule.

2017: Amendment 6 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic. Final Rule - 8/28/17.

2017: Framework 2 - Omnibus For-Hire Electronic Trip Reporting Framework implemented a requirement for vessels that hold party/charter permits for Council-managed species to submit vessel trip reports electronically (eVTRs) while on a trip carrying passengers for hire.

2018: Framework 3 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) and clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules. Final Rule - 4/11/2018.

2020: Framework 4 – Omnibus Commercial Electronic Reporting Framework established a requirement for commercial vessels with federal permits for all species managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours after entering port at the conclusion of a trip. Final Rule - 11/10/20.

2020: Framework 5 – Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch and Risk Policy Framework modified the Council’s ABC control rule and risk policy. The revised risk policy is intended to reduce the probability of overfishing as stock size falls below the target biomass while allowing for increased risk and greater economic benefit under higher stock biomass conditions. This action also removed the typical/atypical species distinction currently included in the risk policy. Final Rule - 12/15/20.

2021: Amendment 7 - Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment revised the goals and objectives of the fishery management plan, reallocated quota between the commercial and recreational fisheries, reallocated commercial quota among the states, implemented a rebuilding plan, revised the sector quota transfer process, and revised how management uncertainty is applied during the specifications process. Final Rule - 11/24/21.

2023: Framework 6 - Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework established a new process for setting recreational bag, size, and season limits (i.e., recreational measures) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. This action also modified the recreational accountability measures for these species. Final Rule - 3/9/23.

Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish

1978: Atlantic Mackerel FMP established management of Atlantic mackerel fishery

1978: Atlantic Butterfish FMP established management of Atlantic butterfish fishery

1978: Squid FMP established management of squid fisheries

1979: Atlantic Mackerel Amendment 1 continued management of the Atlantic mackerel fishery

1979: Squid Amendment 1 continued management of the squid fishery

1980: Atlantic Butterfish Amendment 1 continued management of the Atlantic butterfish fishery

1980: Atlantic Mackerel Amendment 2 continued management of the Atlantic mackerel fishery.

1980: Atlantic Butterfish Amendment 2 continued management of the Atlantic butterfish fishery.

1983: Merged FMP consolidated management of Atlantic mackerel, squid, and butterfish fisheries under a single FMP.

1984: Amendment 1 implemented squid OY adjustment mechanism and revised the Atlantic mackerel mortality rate.

1986: Amendment 2 revised squid bycatch TALFF allowances, implemented framework adjustment process, converted expiration of fishing permits from indefinite to annual, and equated fishing year with calendar year.

1991: Amendment 3 established overfishing definitions for all four species.

1991: Amendment 4 limited the activity of directed foreign fishing and joint venture transfers to foreign vessels and allowed for specification of OY for Atlantic mackerel for up to three years.

1996: Amendment 5 adjusted Loligo MSY; eliminated directed foreign fisheries for Loligo, Illex, and butterfish; instituted a dealer and vessel reporting system; instituted an operator permitting system; implemented a limited access system for Loligo, Illex and butterfish; and expanded the management unit to include all Atlantic mackerel, Loligo, Illex, and butterfish under U.S. jurisdiction.

1997: Amendment 6 revised the overfishing definitions for Loligo, Illex, and butterfish; established directed fishery closure at 95% of DAH forLoligo, Illex and butterfish with post-closure trip limits for each species; and established a mechanism for seasonal management of theIllex fishery to improve the yield-per recruit.

1997: Amendment 7 established consistency among FMPs in the NE region of the U.S. relative to vessel permitting, replacement and upgrade criteria.

1998: Amendment 8 brought the FMP into compliance with new and revised National Standards and other required provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act. This action also added a framework adjustment procedure.

2001: Framework 1 created a quota set-aside for the purpose of conducting scientific research

2002: Framework 2 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional year; established that previous year specifications apply when specifications for the management unit are not published prior to the start of the fishing year (excluding TALFF specifications); and allowed for the specification of management measures for Loligo for a period of up to three years.

2003: Framework 3 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional year.

2004: Framework 4 extended the moratorium on entry to the Illex fishery for an additional five years. Final Rule.

2007: Amendment 12 implemented standardized bycatch reporting methodology.

2008: Amendment 9 allowed for multi-year specifications for all four managed species (mackerel, butterfish, Illex, and Loligo) for up to 3 years; extended the moratorium on entry into the Illex fishery, without a sunset provision; adopted biological reference points for Loligo recommended by the stock assessment review committee (SARC); designated EFH for Loligo eggs based on available information; and prohibited bottom trawling by MSB-permitted vessels in Lydonia and Oceanographer Canyons.

2010: Amendment 10 implemented a butterfish rebuilding program, increased the Loligo minimum mesh in Trimesters 1 and 3, and implemented a 72-hour trip notification requirement for the Loligo fishery.

2010: Amendment 13 implemented Annual Catch Limits (ACLs), Annual Catch Targets (ACTs), and Accountability Measures (AMs).

2011: Amendment 11 implemented Limited Access in the Atl. mackerel fishery, updated EFH for all MSB species, and established a recreational-commercial allocation.

2012: Framework 5 broadened the scope of individuals who can perform hold measurements for limited access mackerel vessels

2012: Framework 6 clarified the Council's risk policy and describes the limited circumstances under which acceptable biological catch (ABC) can be increased for stocks without status determination criteria on overfishing.

2013: Framework 7 converted the butterfish mortality cap from a catch cap to a discard cap. Final Rule.

2014: Amendment 14 implemented a variety of reporting and monitoring requirements for Atlantic mackerel and longfin squid fisheries, and implemented a river herring and shad catch cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery (Appendices). Final Rule.

2013: Amendment 17 modified accountability measures for the Council's recreational fisheries, including Atlantic mackerel. Final Rule.

2014: Framework 8 implemented changes to improve operation of the butterfish discard cap in the longfin squid fishery and the directed butterfish fishery. Final Rule.

2015: Amendment 15 implemented Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology. Final Rule.

2015: Amendment 19 eliminated the requirement for vessel owners to submit "did not fish" reports for the months or weeks when their vessel was not fishing. This action also removed some of the restrictions for upgrading vessels listed on Federal fishing permits. Final Rule.

2015: Framework 9 established measures to enhance catch monitoring and address slippage (catch that is discarded before it has been sampled by observers) in the Atlantic mackerel fishery.

2016: Amendment 16 - Deep Sea Corals Amendment established management measures to protect deep sea corals from the impacts of commercial fishing gear in the Mid-Atlantic region. Final Rule.

2017: Amendment 18 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic. Final Rule - 8/28/17.

2017: Framework 10 - Omnibus For-Hire Electronic Trip Reporting Framework implemented a requirement for vessels that hold party/charter permits for Council-managed species to submit vessel trip reports electronically (eVTRs) while on a trip carrying passengers for hire.

2018: Framework 11 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) and clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules. Final Rule - 4/11/2018.

2018: Amendment 20 - Squid Amendment reduced latent directed permits, created limited access incidental permits, and lowered Trimester 2 post-closure trip limit to 250 pounds to discourage directed fishing after closures. Final Rule.

2018: Framework 12 - Atlantic Mackerel Closure Provisions Framework allowed the possession of 5,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel after 100 percent of the domestic annual harvest is caught instead of prohibiting the possession of Atlantic mackerel for the rest of the year. Final Rule - 10/20/18.

2019: Framework 13 - Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Framework with Specifications established a 5-year rebuilding program for Atlantic mackerel, set 2019-2021 Atlantic mackerel specifications and a river herring and shad cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery, modified the Council's risk policy, and modified in-season closure measures. Final Rule - 10/30/19.

2020: Amendment 21 - Chub Mackerel Amendment established management of Atlantic chub mackerel fishery. Final Rule - 8/4/20.

2020: Framework 14 – Omnibus Commercial Electronic Reporting Framework established a requirement for commercial vessels with federal permits for all species managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours after entering port at the conclusion of a trip. Final Rule - 11/10/20.

2020: Framework 15 – Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch and Risk Policy Framework modified the Council’s ABC control rule and risk policy. The revised risk policy is intended to reduce the probability of overfishing as stock size falls below the target biomass while allowing for increased risk and greater economic benefit under higher stock biomass conditions. This action also removed the typical/atypical species distinction currently included in the risk policy. Final Rule - 12/15/20.

2023: Amendment 23 - Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding 2.0 Amendment implemented a revised Atlantic mackerel rebuilding plan to have the stock rebuilt by 2032. This action also set Atlantic mackerel specifications for 2023. Final Rule - 2/1/23.

Surfclam and Ocean Quahog

1977: Original FMP established management of surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries through September 1979; established quarterly quotas for surfclams; established annual quotas for ocean quahogs; established effort limitation, permit, and logbook provisions; and instituted a moratorium on entry into the surfclam fishery for one year to allow time for the development of an alternative limited entry system such as a "stock certificate" program

1979: Amendment 1 extended management authority through December 31, 1979 and maintained the moratorium

1979: Amendment 2 extended the FMP through the end of 1981; divided the surfclam portion of the management unit into the New England and Mid-Atlantic Area; introduced a "bad weather make up day”; and maintained the moratorium in the Mid-Atlantic Area.

1981: Amendment 3 extended the FMP indefinitely; imposed a 5.5" surfclam minimum size limit in the Mid-Atlantic Area; expanded the surfclam fishing week in the Mid-Atlantic Area to Sunday - Thursday from Monday – Thursday, established a framework basis for quota setting; and proposed a permit limitation system to replace the moratorium which was disapproved by NMFS; NMFS extended the moratorium.

1984: Amendment 4 (implemented on an emergency basis for 180 days beginning 1 July 1984) provided that any unharvested portion of a bimonthly allocation be added to the immediately following bimonthly allocation rather than being prorated over all remaining bimonthly periods and that trip and weekly limits be by vessel classes based on relative fishing power. NMFS subsequently determined that the document was not structurally complete for review.

1985: Amendment 5 allowed for revision of the surfclam minimum size limit provision; extended the size limit throughout the entire fishery; and instituted a requirement that cages be tagged

1986: Amendment 6 divided the New England Area into the Nantucket Shoals and Georges Bank Areas, the dividing line being 69° N Longitude; combined the provisions of Amendment 4 with the Mid-Atlantic Council's Amendment 6 into one document; replaced the bimonthly quotas with quarterly quotas; eliminated the weekly landing limits for the Nantucket Shoals Area; clarified the quota adjustment provisions for the Nantucket Shoals and Georges Bank Areas; and established one landing per trip provision.

1987: Amendment 7 changed the quota distribution on Georges Bank to equal quarterly quotas and revised the roll over provisions.

1988: Amendment 8 replaced the regulated fishing time system in the surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries with an individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.

1996: Amendment 9 revised the overfishing definitions for surfclams and ocean quahogs in response to a scientific review by NMFS.

1998: Amendment 10 provided management measures for the small artisanal fishery for ocean quahogs (mahogany clams) off the northeast coast of Maine.

1998: Amendment 11 achieved consistency among Mid-Atlantic and New England FMPs on vessel replacement and upgrade provisions, permit history transfer and splitting and renewal regulations for fishing vessels issued Northeast Limited Access Federal Fishery permits. Final Rule - 2/19/99.

1998: Amendment 12 established new overfishing definitions, identified and described essential fish habitat, added framework adjustment procedure, and implemented operator permits. Final Rule - 10/26/99. Correction - 11/29/99.

2003: Amendment 13 addressed various disapproved sections of Amendment 12. (Appendices). Final Rule - 12/16/03.

2007: Amendment 14 implemented standardized bycatch reporting methodology. Final Rule - 1/27/08.

2007: Framework 1 addressed issues related to Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) and enforcement. Final Rule - 9/11/07.

2010: Amendment 16 established Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) and Accountability Measures (AMs). Final Rule - 9/29/11.

2015: Amendment 15 implemented Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology. Final Rule - 6/30/15.

2015: Amendment 18 - Omnibus Amendment to Simplify Vessel Baselines eliminated the requirement for vessel owners to submit "did not fish" reports for the months or weeks when their vessel was not fishing; removed some of the restrictions for upgrading vessels listed on Federal fishing permits. Final Rule - 8/26/15.

2016: Amendment 17 - Cost Recovery Amendment established a cost recovery program for the individual transferable quota (ITQ) fishery, as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Contains provisions to remove the optimum yield ranges from the management plan and to change how biological reference points are incorporated into the plan. Final Rule - 6/15/16.

2017: Amendment 19 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment Implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic. Final Rule - 8/28/17.

2018: Framework 2 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) and clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules. Final Rule - 4/11/18.

2020: Framework 3 – Omnibus Commercial Electronic Reporting Framework established a requirement for commercial vessels with federal permits for all species managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours after entering port at the conclusion of a trip. Final Rule - 11/10/20.

2020: Framework 4 – Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch and Risk Policy Framework modified the Council’s ABC control rule and risk policy. The revised risk policy is intended to reduce the probability of overfishing as stock size falls below the target biomass while allowing for increased risk and greater economic benefit under higher stock biomass conditions. This action also removed the typical/atypical species distinction currently included in the risk policy. Final Rule - 12/15/20.

2022: Amendment 20 - Excessive Shares Amendment established limits on how much quota share or annual cage tags an individual or business can hold or control over the course of a fishing year. Final Rule - 11/23/22.

Golden and Blueline Tilefish

2001: The Original Tilefish FMP initiated management for golden tilefish and included management and administrative measures to ensure effective management of the tilefish resource. The FMP also implemented a limited entry program and a tiered commercial quota allocation of the TAL. Other elements of the original FMP included: a stock rebuilding strategy; permits and reporting requirements for commercial vessels, operators, and dealers; a prohibition on the use of gear other than longline gear by limited-access tilefish vessels (later amended see discussion below); and a framework adjustment process. Final Rule - 9/26/2001.

2001: Framework 1 added provisions for a research set-aside quota. Final Rule - 8/10/2001.

2007: Amendment 2 was an Omnibus Amendment that implemented a Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM). Final Rule - 1/28/2008.

2009: Amendment 1 (Appendices and Figures) implemented an Individual Fishing Quota in the directed golden tilefish fishery. It also implemented new reporting requirements and gear modifications, addressed recreational fishing issues, and reviewed the EFH components of the FMP, including implementing gear restricted areas to prevent bottom trawling in habitat areas of particular concern. Final Rule - 8/24/2009.

2011: Amendment 3 was an omnibus amendment that implemented Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) to avoid overfishing and ensure accountability. Final Rule - 9/29/2011.

2015: Amendment 4 was an omnibus amendment that implemented a new Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology to address a legal challenge. Final Rule - 6/30/2015.

2017: Amendment 5 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic. See the Unmanaged Forage Amendment page for more information about this action. Final Rule - 8/28/17.

2017: Framework 3 - Omnibus For-Hire Electronic Trip Reporting Framework implemented a requirement for vessels that hold party/charter permits for Council-managed species to submit vessel trip reports electronically (eVTRs) while on a trip carrying passengers for hire. Final Rule - 9/11/2017.

2017: Amendment 6 - Blueline Tilefish Amendment incorporated blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps) as a managed species in the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan and stablished blueline tilefish management measures, including, annual catch limit process, sector allocations, possession limits, fishing season, permitting, and reporting requirements. Final Rule - 11/15/2017.

2018: Framework 2 implemented several changes intended to improve and simplify the administration of the golden tilefish fishery. Final Rule - 3/13/2018.

2018: Framework 4 (Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework) established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) and clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules. Final Rule - 4/11/2018.

2020: Framework 5 – Omnibus Commercial Electronic Reporting Framework established a requirement for commercial vessels with federal permits for all species managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours after entering port at the conclusion of a trip. Final Rule - 11/10/20.

2020: Framework 6 – Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch and Risk Policy Framework modified the Council’s ABC control rule and risk policy. The revised risk policy is intended to reduce the probability of overfishing as stock size falls below the target biomass while allowing for increased risk and greater economic benefit under higher stock biomass conditions. This action also removed the typical/atypical species distinction currently included in the risk policy. Final Rule - 12/15/20.

2022: Framework 7 – The Tilefish Multi-year Specifications Framework made minor process related modifications to the golden tilefish management system that will improve the administration of the golden tilefish management system. More specifically, the framework sets the golden tilefish fishing year as the 12- month period beginning with January 1, annually. The framework also modified the annual specifications process, so that specifications can be set for the maximum number of years needed to be consistent with the Northeast Region Coordinating Council-approved stock assessment schedule. Final Rule - 11/10/22.

Spiny Dogfish

2000: The Original Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan established management of Atlantic spiny dogfish fisheries and initiated stock rebuilding. Final Rule - 1/11/2000.

2006: Framework 1 created a mechanism for specification of multi-year management measures. Final Rule - 1/19/2006.

2007: Amendment 1 was an omnibus amendment that implemented a Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM). Final Rule - 1/28/2008.

2009: Framework 2 built flexibility into process to define and update status determination criteria. Final Rule - 6/24/2009.

2011: Amendment 2 was an omnibus amendment that implemented Acceptable Biological Catches (ABCs) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) to avoid overfishing and ensure accountability. Final Rule - 9/29/2011.

2014: Amendment 3 added the spiny dogfish fishery to the Research Set‐Aside (RSA) program, updated Essential Fish Habitat definitions, established provisions to maintain existing management measures (including quota) in the event of delayed rulemaking, and eliminated seasonal allocation of the coast wide commercial quota. Final Rule - 7/15/2014.

2015: Amendment 4 was an omnibus amendment that implemented a new Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology to address a legal challenge. Final Rule - 6/30/2015.

2017: Amendment 5 - Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment was an omnibus amendment that implemented management measures to prevent the development of new, and the expansion of existing, commercial fisheries on certain forage species in the Mid-Atlantic. See the Unmanaged Forage Amendment page for more information about this action. Final Rule - 8/28/2017.

2018: Framework 3 - Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch Framework established a process for setting constant multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABCs) and clarified the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules. Final Rule - 4/11/2018.

2020: Framework 4 – Omnibus Commercial Electronic Reporting Framework established a requirement for commercial vessels with federal permits for all species managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours after entering port at the conclusion of a trip. Final Rule - 11/10/20.

2020: Framework 5 – Omnibus Acceptable Biological Catch and Risk Policy Framework modified the Council’s ABC control rule and risk policy. The revised risk policy is intended to reduce the probability of overfishing as stock size falls below the target biomass while allowing for increased risk and greater economic benefit under higher stock biomass conditions. This action also removed the typical/atypical species distinction currently included in the risk policy. Final Rule - 12/15/20.