NOAA Fisheries Approves Conservation Equivalency for the Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Recreational Fisheries, as well as Coastwide Measures for the Scup Recreational Fishery, for 2026 and 2027

NOAA Fisheries implemented the Recreational Measures Setting (RMS) Process Framework to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass and Bluefish Fishery Management Plans on April 28, 2026. The framework implements the process used to set recreational management measures (bag, size, and season limits) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The changes also include modifications to the recreational accountability measures for all four species. Details on how the RMS Process works are available in the interim final rule. 

In addition, NOAA Fisheries is announcing the 2026 and 2027 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fishery management measures. This rule filed with the Federal Register today, and is expected to publish and be effective on April 30, 2026. 

Management measures for 2026 and beyond could not be finalized until the RMS Process Framework was approved and effective. The RMS Process aims to provide continued stability and predictability in recreational measures from year to year while accounting for uncertainty in recreational catch estimates. 

For 2026 and 2027, we are implementing the following recreational management measures:

• Scup: Maintaining the status quo coastwide measures for recreational fishing in Federal waters and by federally permitted for-hire vessels; 

• Summer Flounder: Federal coastwide measures are waived through the continued use of conservation equivalency, allowing for status quo levels of harvest managed through state or regional measures; and 

• Black Sea Bass: Federal measures are waived through the continued use of conservation equivalency for black sea bass, allowing for a 20-percent increase in harvest collectively through state or regional measures.

As in prior years, we are approving the use of conservation equivalency for the summer flounder and black sea bass recreational fisheries. Under conservation equivalency, Federal coastwide measures are waived in favor of state- or region-developed measures. The states or regions have developed minimum sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons that, in combination across all participating states, will achieve the necessary level of conservation. 

Individuals seeking information regarding the measures for individual states should contact the marine fisheries agency in the state of interest.

Read the interim final rule for the RMS Process Framework as published in the Federal Register. We will be accepting public comment on this interim final rule through May 28. 

Read the interim final rule for 2026 and 2027 Recreational Management Measures. These regulations are effective when the rule is published on April 30, and is available for public inspection today, April 29. The public comment portal opens upon publication and comments will be accepted through May 15. 

For more information, please see the Fisheries Bulletin. 

Council Presents Ricks E Savage Award to Peter Hughes

Award Recipient Peter Hughes

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has named Peter Hughes, longtime industry representative and former Council member, as the recipient of the 2025 Ricks E Savage Award. The Council established the award in 2006 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the management and conservation of fishery resources in the mid-Atlantic region. The award was presented to Hughes during the Council's meeting last week in New York City.

A native of Elyria, Ohio, Hughes first discovered his love of fishing during family vacations on Long Beach Island. That early passion eventually led him to Cape May, New Jersey, in 1986, where he began his career in commercial fisheries aboard the F/V Atlantic Prince. In 1990, he transitioned to a shoreside role at Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc., where he has worked for more than 35 years and now serves as Director of Sustainability. Hughes was appointed to the Council in 2016 and served with distinction for nine years before completing his service in 2025. During this time, he became one of the Council’s most steadfast leaders, bringing broad, practical knowledge of fisheries to every discussion.

As Chair of the Council’s Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Committee for eight years, Hughes guided the Council through the development of several challenging management actions, including two Atlantic mackerel rebuilding actions, an amendment to establish long-term management of chub mackerel, and a framework that established measures to limit future capacity increases in the Illex squid fishery. He also served as Chair of the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Committee for five years, providing steady leadership throughout the development of a major amendment to modify species separation requirements in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries.

Hughes also served as the Council's liaison to the New England Fishery Management Council throughout his entire tenure, representing the Mid-Atlantic Council on several New England committees. In that role, he ensured clear communication between the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils, conveying priorities, decisions, and concerns in both directions.

Hughes was also recognized for his approach to public engagement. “Peter took public comment very seriously and was sensitive to the competing interests of recreational and commercial stakeholders, as well as differing sectors within the industry,” said Joe Cimino, Council Chair. “He always came to the table with the goal of finding the best possible solutions for all parties.” One notable example came during the development of the Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Amendment, when the Council was considering a federal recreational possession limit for mackerel. Early options ranged from 10 to 15 fish. After reviewing public comments and input from the New England states regarding the potential impacts on for-hire businesses that rely on mackerel for bait, Hughes proposed expanding the range to include a 20-fish limit. The Council ultimately adopted that option, which reduced the burden on those businesses while still meeting rebuilding objectives.

The Council extends its gratitude to Peter Hughes for his years of dedicated service and congratulates him on this well-deserved honor.

New England Council to Hold Monkfish and Skate Listening Sessions

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold five listening sessions to solicit comments on ideas for fishery improvements in the monkfish and skate fisheries. These sessions are designed to identify the challenges the monkfish and skate fishing sectors are grappling with and to identify possible management measures for the Council to address those challenges in the future. Additional details, including the listening session schedule and instructions for submitting written comments, can be found at the link below.

Mid-Atlantic Council Warns of Consequences for 2026 Recreational Black Sea Bass and Summer Flounder Fisheries Due to Federal Rulemaking Delay

Update: On April 28, 2026, NOAA Fisheries published an interim final rule implementing the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework. An interim final rule is scheduled to publish on April 30, 2026, implementing 2026-2027 recreational management measures for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. This rule approves conservation equivalency for summer flounder and black sea bass, waiving Federal coastwide measures as of April 30, 2026, and maintains status quo scup regulations for 2026 and 2027.

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The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has expressed serious concern to the U.S. Department of Commerce and NOAA Fisheries regarding significant delays in the rulemaking process for the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework. Despite the final framework being submitted over eight months ago, a proposed rule has yet to be published.

In a letter to Secretary Howard Lutnick and Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, the Council expressed serious concern that the delay threatens the implementation of the 2026 recreational management measures (bag, size, and season limits) for black sea bass and summer flounder.

Impacts on the 2026 Season

Without the framework in place, NOAA Fisheries has indicated it intends to enforce "non-preferred coastwide measures" instead of the state-tailored measures developed by the Council, Commission, and individual states. This would have several immediate consequences for the fishing community:

• The highly anticipated 20% liberalization for black sea bass will not be realized. The black sea bass stock has been increasing for many years and is currently more than double the target level. In December, the Council and Commission agreed to allow states to liberalize measures to achieve a 20% increase in expected harvest—the first such increase since 2012. This change would have expanded angler access, reduced regulatory discards, and supported for-hire businesses. However, these benefits will not be realized if the non-preferred coastwide measures are implemented.

• Measures in some states will be severely restricted. The non-preferred coastwide measures for both summer flounder and black sea bass are not tailored to individual state needs or regional differences. As such, the non-preferred measures for both species are much more restrictive than the recommended 2026 measures for multiple states. 

• There will be widespread confusion among the recreational fishing public and increased non-compliance. Non-preferred coastwide measures have never been implemented for these species and are therefore largely unknown to the recreational fishing public. With the fishing season opening in less than three weeks in some states, imposing these measures will generate confusion, frustration, and non-compliance.

Proposed Solutions

The Council’s letter urges the Department of Commerce and NOAA Fisheries to approve the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework and the 2026 recreational measures adopted through the Council, Commission, and state process as soon as possible. To avoid disrupting the upcoming season, the Council also requests that the agency consider expedited implementation methods, such as an interim final rule or emergency rulemaking.

The Council remains committed to working with its partners to resolve this delay and provide stability for the recreational fishing public.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Management Partner Letters

Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

April 2026 Council Meeting Summary

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met April 7-9, 2026, in New York, NY. The following is a summary of actions taken and issues considered during the meeting. Presentations, briefing materials, motions, and webinar recordings are available on the Council’s April 2026 meeting page.    Download a PDF version of the meeting summary here.

Highlights

During this meeting, the Council:

• Approved the Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Amendment for submission to NOAA Fisheries, including revised EFH designations for 14 Council-managed species and new Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) based on updated habitat information.

• Took final action on the Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting Framework, selecting preferred alternatives to streamline reporting requirements, reduce unnecessary burden, and improve clarity and enforceability of the recreational tilefish permitting program.

• Agreed to initiate a framework action to address scup Winter I quota management, following a review of trip limit performance and a 2026 Winter I quota overage of approximately 22 percent; the framework will consider revisions to trip limit regulations, commercial accountability measures, and additional reporting requirements.

• Agreed to initiate an omnibus FMP amendment on multi-year specifications, to consider revisions to specifications frequencies, documentation requirements, and other measures to improve efficiency, with most work planned for 2027.

• Endorsed a Committee recommendation to discontinue the scoping process for a potential monkfish and/or skate wings IFQ program, deferring to the New England Fishery Management Council on next steps.

• Received updates on two Council-sponsored projects focused on spiny dogfish ageing and sturgeon bycatch reduction in the dogfish gillnet fisheries.

• Received updates on habitat activities of interest in the region.

• Recognized Peter Hughes as the recipient of the 2025 Ricks E. Savage Award for his exceptional contributions to fishery management and conservation in the Mid-Atlantic region.

• Agreed to send a letter to NOAA Fisheries and Department of Commerce leadership expressing serious concern about the delay in finalizing the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework.

• Clarified its intent on the Atlantic mackerel possession limit for crew on for-hire trips.

Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

The Council approved its Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Amendment for submission to NOAA Fisheries. The Council-preferred action alternatives include revisions to EFH for 14 Council-managed species and recommends new Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs), as a subset of EFH. The new EFH text and mapping approaches included in this amendment vastly improve the designations with up-to-date, enhanced habitat information and will amplify the impact that HAPCs have on the EFH consultation process by designating several new HAPCs, in addition to the two HAPCs that are already in place. Visit the EFH Amendment page for additional information and updates.

Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting Framework

The Council took final action on the Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting Framework. After reviewing public comment received during the March 2026 Public Input meeting as well as recommendations from the Tilefish Committee, the Council selected Sub-Alternatives 4.1 (remove requirement to report effort-only trips), revised Sub-Alternative 4.2 (simplify the required reporting fields with the ‘species’ field maintained), and Sub-Alternative 4.5 (require eVTR submission before offloading fish) as their preferred alternatives. The preferred alternatives are expected to improve recreational tilefish permitting and reporting program to ensure that the regulatory approach is appropriate, effective, and proportionate to the data needs for managing blueline and golden tilefish. This action is intended to reduce unnecessary burden, improve clarity and enforceability, and supports the collection of reliable information needed for stock assessment and management.

During the Council discussion, NOAA fisheries indicated that the implementation of Sub-Alternative 4.2 would require substantial revisions to the current reporting system structure. They noted that under current circumstances of competing resources coupled with the substantial lift that would be required under Sub-Alternative 4.2 that changes to the current reporting fields would be highly unlikely to occur prior to 2028 at the earliest.

As a reminder to all tilefish anglers, current permitting and reporting requirements will remain in place until NOAA Fisheries approves and implements the Council’s proposed regulatory changes. Visit our tilefish permitting and reporting page to learn more about how to apply for a permit or submit a trip report.

Scup Winter I Quota Period Landings Threshold Analysis

The Council reviewed an evaluation of Winter I scup trip limit reduction performance and recent landing patterns. Following the staff presentation, the Regional Administrator provided additional details regarding the impact of late dealer reports on in-season management of the 2026 Winter I fishery. The Winter I trip limit reduction was not implemented as required; delayed data availability, compounded by late dealer reports and an unusually rapid pace of landings compared to recent years, contributed to an early closure of the fishery on March 16. Based on preliminary data, the 2026 Winter I quota allocation was exceeded by about 22 percent.

The Council agreed to initiate a framework action to consider building management flexibility into the scup Winter I regulations. The framework will consider the following options: 1) revisions to the Winter I trip limit regulations, 2) adjustments to the scup commercial accountability measures, and 3) an additional reporting requirement for federal limited access scup permits (e.g., daily catch reports via VMS or an IVR system). Potential modifications to the Winter I commercial measures (i.e., initial 50,000-pound trip limit, 80 percent quota threshold activating a trip limit reduction, reduced 1,000-pound trip limit) would be addressed separately through the annual specifications process.

Multi-Year Specifications

The Council reviewed a staff memorandum on multiple-year specifications frequencies and agreed to initiate an omnibus FMP amendment. This amendment will consider the following topics: 1) potential revisions to the multi-year specifications frequencies,  2) clarification on the meetings and documentation required each year to support the specifications process, 3) potentially expanding the lists of measures which can be modified through a framework adjustment for several species, and 4) other measures to improve efficiency. Most work on this amendment will take place in 2027.

Individual Fishing Quota Program Scoping for Monkfish and/or Skate Wings

Monkfish is jointly managed by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Councils, with the New England Council serving as lead. In December, the New England Council voted to initiate scoping for a potential individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the monkfish and/or skate wing fisheries. At this meeting, Ms. Jenny Couture (New England Council staff) presented a draft scoping document, along with a summary of recommendations from a March 19, 2026 joint meeting of the Monkfish and Skate Committees and Advisory Panels. Among Committee and Advisory Panel members, there was near-unanimous support for discontinuing development of this action. The Committees concluded that an IFQ program would not address the primary challenges facing these fisheries and that monkfish and skate issues may require different management approaches. Advisory Panel members and public commenters similarly expressed a lack of support for continuing the scoping process. After considering this input, the Council passed a motion endorsing the Monkfish and Skate Committee’s recommendation to discontinue further scoping for an IFQ program for these fisheries.

Because scoping meetings have already been scheduled, New England Council staff proposed pivoting these meetings to a series of structured listening sessions to gather input on potential improvements in the monkfish and skate fisheries. The Council agreed to defer to the New England Council on next steps, while expressing general support for obtaining additional input from industry on ways to improve monkfish and/or skate management. Council staff also communicated to the New England Council that it may be beneficial to hold a workshop with fishery participants from across regions before initiating any additional management actions.

Habitat Activities Update

Karen Green (NOAA Fisheries GARFO Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division) provided an update on regional habitat activities of interest to the Council. She highlighted several major infrastructure projects, including the Key Bridge replacement, Chesapeake Bay Crossing, and other port and navigation projects. She also noted ongoing efforts such as the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Coastal Storm Risk Management projects, NASA’s Wallops Island Shoreline Protection Program, offshore sand borrow areas for beach renourishment, and proposals to place dredge materials for beneficial habitat use. The division recently provided conservation recommendations on the Aurora Submarine Fiber Optic Cable, which will run from New Jersey to Denmark, and a technical assistance letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on a proposed blue mussel mariculture operation in federal waters. In addition, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management received an unsolicited mineral lease sale for mining heavy mineral sands and phosphorites in offshore Virginia. The next anticipated step is publication of Request for Information in the Federal Register to solicit public comment. Lastly, she noted the public can track NOAA Fisheries Essential Fish Habitat and Endangered Species Consultations through the Environmental Consultations Organizer (ECO).

Council-Sponsored Projects

Spiny Dogfish Ageing

Dr. Michelle Passerotti (NOAA) and Ms. Madison Philipp (Formerly A.I.S., Inc. in support of NOAA), presented the results of a multi-year effort to advance spiny dogfish age determination using dorsal spines. This work addressed a gap in ageing expertise, reduced a backlog of archived samples, created instructional and reference materials, and modernized cleaning procedures, workflows, and data management systems. Project deliverables included proceedings from an ageing workshop that included scientists from multiple countries, a curated reference collection of aged spines, a comprehensive guide on cleaning, storage, and ageing of spiny dogfish dorsal spines, and approximately 9,000 new ages from dogfish collected between 2006 and 2024.

Sturgeon Bycatch Reduction

Dr. Dewayne Fox (Delaware State University) presented the results of cooperative research trials of modified low profile sink gill nets for smooth and spiny dogfish, designed to minimize catch of endangered Atlantic sturgeon. While statistical analyses are still underway, preliminary results indicate that gear performance differed between fisheries. In the spiny dogfish fishery, the modified nets substantially reduced Atlantic sturgeon bycatch with only minor impacts on target catch. In the smooth dogfish fishery, there was no measurable reduction in sturgeon bycatch, but the experimental net increased smooth dogfish catch. As the research team analyzes the results fully, they will also reach out to fishery participants to evaluate these and other potential gear modifications to refine gear solutions to reduce Atlantic sturgeon bycatch.

Ricks E Savage Award

The Council recognized Peter Hughes as the recipient of the 2025 Ricks E Savage Award. The award is given annually to an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the management and conservation of fishery resources in the mid-Atlantic region. See the full news release for details:

• Council Presents Ricks E Savage Award to Peter Hughes

Other Business

Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework Delays

During the meeting, the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Administrator informed the Council that the agency cannot approve the 2026 recreational measures for summer flounder and black sea bass, adopted through the Council, Commission, and state process, due to the delay in publication of the proposed and final rules for the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework. As a result, the agency must enforce the 2025 non-preferred coastwide measures. Council members expressed serious concern and frustration about this situation, noting that it has been more than eight months since the Council submitted final documents for rulemaking and that the non-preferred measures for both species are much more restrictive than the recommended 2026 measures for multiple states. The Council agreed to send a letter conveying these concerns to NOAA Fisheries and Department of Commerce leadership. The letter is available here.

Atlantic Mackerel Possession Limit Clarification

NOAA Fisheries is finalizing rulemaking for expanded commercial and recreational opportunities for Atlantic mackerel, per December 2025 Council action. There was some ambiguity about the possession limit for crew on for-hire trips, so the Council passed the following motion to clarify its intent: “When carrying passengers for hire, the recreational Atlantic mackerel possession limit for vessels issued a squid/mackerel/butterfish charter/party permit is 50 Atlantic mackerel per person per trip, including captains and crew.  When not carrying passengers for hire, the recreational Atlantic mackerel possession limit for vessels issued a squid/mackerel/butterfish charter/party permit is 25 Atlantic mackerel per person per trip.”

Next Council Meeting

The next Council meeting will be held by webinar June 16-18, 2026, in Alexandria, Virginia. A complete list of upcoming meetings can be found at https://www.mafmc.org/council-events.

NOAA Fisheries to Host Mid-Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Roundtable Webinar on Tuesday, March 31, 2026

NOAA Fisheries is hosting a mid-Atlantic recreational fisheries constituent roundtable on March 31, 2026. The event will take place via webinar.

The meeting will provide NOAA Fisheries' Greater Atlantic leadership and the recreational fishing community an opportunity to connect with one another. Following some brief presentations, this meeting will be an open forum to discuss the priorities, concerns, and topics of interest to recreational fishermen.

Register here

• When: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST

More details can be found here.

If you have any questions about attending, please reach out to Travis Ford at travis.ford@noaa.gov or 978-281-9233.

Cornell Cooperative Extension to Hold Workshop on Scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs) - March 31, 2026

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, will hold a workshop to collect industry input on the current scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs). The Council and CCE are particularly seeking input from small mesh trawl fishermen. However, anyone with an interest in the scup GRAs is invited to attend.

When: Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: The workshop will be held at three in-person locations with a webinar option available:

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Office – 423 Griffing Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901

• Superior Trawl – 55 State St., Narragansett, RI 02882

• Lund’s Fisheries – 997 Ocean Drive, Cape May, NJ 08204

• Webinar (Zoom) – https://cornell.zoom.us/j/92898134114?pwd=WojDAscJQtlhiuS1uTcn4yExwPHhWb.1

Workshop Purpose: The workshop will be facilitated by CCE as part of a Council-funded project titled “Utilizing Collaborative Strategies to Assess and Adapt Scup GRAs in Response to Climate Change.” First implemented in 2000 and 2001, the Council’s two scup GRAs are intended to reduce juvenile scup discards in small mesh fisheries during certain times of the year. Recent data suggest there has been a shift in where and when scup discards occur, and it is anticipated that changes may continue with changing ocean conditions and species distributions. During this workshop, preliminary results of mapping and modeling analyses will be presented and industry input will be gathered to evaluate potential changes to the GRAs.

Additional Information: Visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension page to learn more.

Contribute to the 2027 Management Track Fishery Stock Assessments

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center is seeking input from its regional assessment partners, including the commercial and recreational fishing industry, state agency scientists, academic researchers, and interested members of the public, to help inform the 2027 Management Track Assessments for the following stocks:

• Atlantic mackerel

• Black sea bass

• Bluefish

• Scup

• Summer flounder

• Atlantic cod

You can help by identifying new data sources, providing on-the water observations, and flagging emerging issues important to consider during the assessment process. Please refer to the stock-specific community questions to understand the information that will be most helpful to the 2027 Management Track assessments.

There are two ways to participate:

• Attend a virtual meeting on March 18, 2026.

• Submit your comments using the community input form. This form is open through April 30, 2026.

Questions?

Contact: Brian Hooper, NEFSC assessment process lead

NOAA Fisheries Announces 2026 and Projected 2027 Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Specifications

Effective February 19, 2026, NOAA Fisheries is implementing the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s recommended 2026 summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish specifications and 2026-2027 bluefish recreational fishery management measures. This rule also announces the projected 2027 specifications. The catch limits are based on the results of recently conducted stock assessments and the recommendations of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee for all four species. These final specifications include any adjustments required by the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish accountability measures based on available catch data. 

• Bulletin

• Final Rule

February 2026 Council Meeting Summary

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met by webinar February 10-11, 2026. The following is a summary of actions taken and issues considered during the meeting. Presentations, briefing materials, motions, and webinar recordings are available on the Council’s February 2026 meeting page.    

PDF Version: February 2026 Council Meeting Summary

Highlights

During this meeting, the Council:

• Received an update on revisions to the Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey*

• Provided feedback on plans for the Recreational Sector Separation Amendment Workshop and agreed to hold the workshop in September 2026*

• Agreed to postpone further development of a white paper on recreational data collection and use*

• Received an update on development of new models and methods to help fishermen predict and avoid river herring bycatch

• Directed staff to solicit input from its Scientific and Statistical Committee on the biological linkages between the current U.S. catch limits and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization quota

• Received an update on the New England Fishery Management Council’s risk policy and strategic planning work

• Appointed Dr. Ming Sun and Dr. Jennifer Bigman to the Scientific and Statistical Committee

• Discussed a risk/value matrix developed by NOAA Fisheries to inform prioritization of fisheries management and science activities nationwide

• Reviewed a summary of public comments received by NOAA Fisheries on Executive Order 14276 and concluded that no revisions to the Council’s previous recommendations are needed

* Items denoted with an asterisk (*) were undertaken during joint meetings with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board

Recreational Fisheries Issues

The Council met jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board (Policy Board) to receive updates on several recreational fisheries related issues.

Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey

Dr. Katherine Papacostas, Branch Director for NOAA Fisheries Recreational Statistics, provided an update on revisions to the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Fishing Effort Survey (FES). The FES is a mail-based survey that collects data on recreational saltwater fishing activity, specifically measuring the number of fishing trips taken by anglers in private boats or from shore.  

Following a 2023 pilot study that identified potential sources of bias in the FES, a large-scale evaluation of survey design was conducted in 2024. Peer reviews of the revised methodology and associated recalibration approaches were conducted in 2025 and are currently under internal review at NOAA Fisheries. Calibrated catch estimates are expected to be released in summer 2026. Delivery of these estimates was delayed by the fall 2025 government shutdown. Additional information and updates are available here. 

Recreational Sector Separation Amendment Workshop Plans

The Council and Policy Board provided feedback on plans for a stakeholder workshop to seek input on draft alternatives for the Recreational Sector Separation Amendment. The amendment considers separate management strategies for the for-hire and private angler modes, as well as for-hire permitting and reporting requirements for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish.

The workshop was first proposed in December 2025 after the groups reviewed draft alternatives and determined that additional stakeholder input was needed to develop the management options. At the February meeting, the Council and Policy Board agreed to hold the workshop in September 2026. While originally planned for spring or summer, that timing was expected to pose major challenges for recreational stakeholder participation.

The workshop will convene a small group of for-hire and private recreational stakeholders to provide input on, and help refine, the range of draft options. Discussions will focus primarily on the existing draft options; however, the Council and Policy Board also directed the Fishery Management Action Team and Plan Development Team (FMAT/PDT) to develop a variation on the draft alternative for regional for-hire management measures for discussion as part of the workshop. This “for-hire baseline measures” option would create a process for setting regional measures tailored specifically to the needs of the for-hire mode. Private/shore measures would then be developed after evaluating expected for-hire catch, to ensure the overall harvest target is not exceeded. 

The groups also reviewed a revised amendment timeline, with final action tentatively scheduled for August 2027. This timeline may be adjusted based on feedback received at the workshop and subsequent direction from the Council and Policy Board.

Recreational Data Collection and Use White Paper Outline

The Council and Policy Board reviewed a draft outline for a white paper on improving recreational data collection and use in the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries. This issue was originally included in the Recreational Sector Separation Amendment; however, in April 2025, the groups agreed to address it separately through a white paper. Council staff developed the draft outline as an initial step, with full development planned for the rest of 2026.

At the February meeting, Council staff requested feedback on the outline and recommended postponing further development of the white paper. Staff noted potential overlap with the ongoing Recreational Sector Separation Amendment – particularly the draft alternatives related to modifying for-hire permitting and reporting requirements at the state and/or federal levels – as well as anticipated revisions to the MRIP FES. The revised FES methodology will result in re-calibrated MRIP estimates, which may need to be accounted for in the white paper.

Without objection, the groups agreed to postpone further development of the white paper, citing uncertainty about when calibrated MRIP estimates will be released. The project will be revisited once calibrated MRIP estimates become available.

River Herring Bycatch Risk Prediction Project

Researchers from the University of North Carolina presented Species Distribution Models (SDMs) that forecast where river herring, Atlantic herring, and Atlantic mackerel are likely to be found—one week into the future. Three forecasts are currently being provided to fishermen:

• Areas with high probabilities of encountering the target species, either Atlantic herring or Atlantic mackerel

• Areas where river herring are likely to be present

• The joint probability of encountering both the target species and river herring at the same time

The risk predictions are intended as a tool in fishermen’s toolboxes as they evaluate where to fish to avoid river herring and triggering river herring/shad bycatch cap closures. Feedback is being collected in 2026, with improvements planned for 2027. See https://www.rhapcast.org/ for prediction maps and additional information.

Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Illex Squid Quota Issue

Council staff described a proposal to evaluate and potentially develop a framework adjustment for the Illex squid fishery that would consider adding NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator authority for a new potential in-season action to increase the U.S. commercial Illex quota under certain conditions (when U.S. landings reach a specified threshold and catch in the NAFO Regulatory Area remains below a specified threshold). The Council directed staff to solicit input from its Scientific and Statistical Committee on the biological linkages between the current U.S. catch limits and the NAFO quota. Once the SSC has provided guidance and the Council considers that information, the Council can consider next steps.

New England Fishery Management Council Planning Update

The Council received informational updates on two projects under development by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC).

Risk Policy: Work is moving forward on a management tool that uses a scoring approach to integrate biological, environmental, and socioeconomic risk factors to support management decisions. NEFMC members will finalize the “weightings” in June, which when combined with the “scoring” for each fishery plan, creates a “Z score” reflecting the NEFMC’s risk tolerance. This input will be used in a host of NEFMC management decisions including setting Acceptable Biological Catch and harvest control rules. Learn more here.

Holistic Strategic Planning: The NEFMC is developing its first holistic strategic plan to improve NEFMC operations and enhance the long-term viability and sustainability of managed fisheries. A strategic planning workshop was held in January, with participation from NEFMC members, key staff, and external facilitators. Participants emphasized the need to proactively address changing ocean conditions, resource constraints, and stakeholder engagement, with a shared goal of moving toward a more forward-looking and adaptive management approach. Learn more here.

Scientific and Statistical Committee Appointments

The Council appointed two new members to its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC):

• Dr. Ming Sun is an Assistant Professor of Fisheries Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Dr. Sun’s research focuses on quantitative fisheries science, stock assessment, fisheries management, and marine ecosystem dynamics, as well as their implications for Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management (EBFM) and socioeconomics.  

• Dr. Jennifer Bigman is an Assistant Professor of Fisheries and Conservation at the University of Delaware, where her research uses quantitative and computational approaches to examine how climate change affects the life histories, population dynamics, and ecology of commercially-important fishes.

The Council also approved reappointment of five existing SSC members whose three-year terms will expire this year. All new and reappointed members will begin serving a three-year term effective March 1, 2026.

NOAA Fisheries Risk/Value Matrix

NOAA Fisheries has finalized a risk/value matrix and supporting methodology intended to help prioritize fisheries management and science activities nationwide. A baseline assumption guiding this effort is that NOAA Fisheries cannot continue to manage the 500+ stocks and stock complexes currently included in federal fishery management plans.

Under the proposed framework, stocks would be evaluated based on measures of “value” (e.g., commercial, recreational, or social importance) and “risk” (e.g., relative stock status, environmental vulnerability, ecosystem role, effectiveness of management) to inform potential reprioritization of science and management resources.

Each Council has been asked to work with their Regional Office and Science Center to co-develop a regional matrix by June 30 and to identify any potential management adjustments that may be needed. On February 2, the regional fishery management councils sent a joint letter to NOAA Fisheries expressing concerns about the proposed methodology and requesting several clarifications.

Public Comments on Executive Order 14276

The Council received a summary of public comments received by NOAA Fisheries on Executive Order 14276: Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. The agency solicited public input from August 27 to October 14, 2025, and subsequently reopened the comment period from December 1-15, 2025. After reviewing the comments, the Council did not identify any issues that warranted revisions to the recommendations and work plan it submitted to NOAA Fisheries in September 2025.

Next Council Meeting

The next Council meeting will be held April 7-9, 2026 in New York, NY. A complete list of upcoming meetings can be found at https://www.mafmc.org/council-events.

Request for Proposals: Strategies for Improving Access and Quota Utilization in the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog ITQ Fisheries – Proposals due March 31

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking proposals to develop recommendations that modify the Individual Transferrable Quota (ITQ) Programs for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries in federal waters. These recommendations would identify ways to remove barriers to entry and increase the utilization of quotas.

Background

Established in 1976 under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Mid-Atlantic Council is one of eight regional U.S. councils responsible for developing Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) to prevent overfishing and rebuild stocks in federal waters. In 1977, the Council developed an FMP for the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. This plan initially relied on a combination of limited entry, quotas, and time limits to constrain landings and effort. This regulatory approach evolved, and in 1990, the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog ITQ Programs became the first Limited Access Privilege Program (LAPP) established in the U.S.

Despite the ITQ program's design—where transferability rules theoretically facilitate new entry via the open transfer of allocation permits and quota shares—a recent program review noted significant consolidation over time (fewer vessels and processors) and persistent barriers to entry. This process has been described as a "one-way trip," with virtually no new entrants into these fisheries over the last few decades. Current quota utilization rates are low: in 2025, only 34 percent of the Atlantic surfclam ITQ quota and 35 percent of the ocean quahog ITQ quota were utilized. While these ITQ quotas were set at sustainable levels to meet expected market demand and achieve optimum yield, they are currently heavily underutilized.

On April 17, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. The EO directs federal agencies to “address unfair trade practices, eliminate unsafe imports, level the unfair playing field that has benefited foreign fishing companies, promote ethical sourcing, reduce regulatory burdens, and ensure the integrity of the seafood supply chain.”  Specifically, Section 4 of EO 14276 directs the eight regional U.S. councils to identify actions to “stabilize markets, improve access, enhance profitability, and prevent fishery closures.” As a direct result of this mandate, the Council has committed to developing a document that explores modifications to its ITQ programs for both Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog.

Scope of Work

The contractor(s) shall develop a comprehensive report containing specific, actionable recommendations for modifying the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog ITQ programs to effectively eliminate barriers to entry and maximize quota utilization in these fisheries. The final submission must include an Executive Summary that succinctly presents the key findings and recommendations to the Council. The core of the report is expected to provide thorough background, relevant literature, and rigorous analysis to substantiate all proposed recommendations. The contractor should expect to present the final report in-person at a Council Meeting, with the specific meeting to be determined upon report completion.

The contractor(s) will regularly meet with a project oversight team comprised of Council and NOAA Fisheries staff, to ensure the scope of work proposed under this contract is addressed and to ensure product utility. This team will provide any technical input needed, facilitate data access agreements (if needed), direct the contractor to any regional or fishery specific expertise, and assist the contractor with details needed to support the contractor's completion of this project.

Contractor Qualifications

Minimum qualifications require experience in fisheries economics, social sciences, or natural resource economics, coupled with both theoretical and empirical expertise in fisheries management and demonstrated strong skills in data analysis.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a proposal to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, by email (admin@mafmc.org) by 11:59 pm on March 31, 2026. Proposals should not exceed 20 pages total (excluding curriculum vitae) and should include the following elements:

1. Executive Summary: A summary of the proposed scope of work as well as a brief overview of the applicant’s qualifications.

2. Proposed Scope of Work: A detailed plan for addressing the scope of work described above. This should include a summary of potential analysis approaches, a project schedule, a summary of how the project will be managed, and a list of all personnel who may work on the project.

3. Qualifications of Applicant: A summary of the qualifications of the applicant and other team members, if applicable. Curriculum vitae should be included for all individuals who will work on the project.

4. Proposed Budget: A detailed budget, including the basis for the charges (e.g., hourly rates, fixed fees).

Timeline

• January 7, 2026: Issuance of RFP 

• March 31, 2026: Deadline for proposal submission

• May 1, 2026: Notify selected contractor

• May 29, 2026: Contract execution (by this date or prior)

• June 1, 2026: Project begins

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on prior experience, references and qualifications, and proposal costs. The Council may request additional information as deemed necessary to clarify or negotiate modifications to the proposal.

Requests for Further Information/Contact

Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
800 North State Street, Suite 201
Dover, DE 19901
tel: 302-526-5255
email: cmoore@mafmc.org

Disclaimer

1. All costs associated with preparation and presentation of the proposal will be borne by applicants.

2. Proposals and their accompanying documentation will not be returned.

3. Respondents must disclose any relevant conflicts of interest and/or pending civil/criminal legal actions.

4. The Council reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications received, negotiate with all qualified applicants, cancel or modify this request for proposals in part or in its entirety, or change the application guidelines, when it is in its best interests.