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.

Council Seeks Contractor to Evaluate Governance Structures and Processes – Proposals due July 18

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking a contractor to assess and recommend improvements to the Council’s governance structures and joint management arrangements with other organizations. This project will address several priorities and recommendations identified during the Council’s recent program review and the East Coast Scenario Planning Initiative, with the goal of strengthening representation, coordination, and responsiveness in fisheries management. The proposal submission deadline is July 18, 2025.  

Background: Changing species distributions increasingly pose challenges for East Coast marine fisheries governance and management structures, which were established under the assumption that stock distributions would remain relatively stable over time. The inherent complexity of East Coast governance structure poses challenges for nimbleness and adaptation to such changes. This issue was a central focus of the East Coast Scenario Planning Initiative, where stakeholders and managers identified several opportunities to improve adaptability and coordination. Similarly, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s recent program review highlighted the need to improve governance processes in the areas of efficiency, fairness, and collaboration. Both initiatives generated recommendations for strengthening the Council’s governance structures and enhancing joint or cooperative management arrangements with partners such as the New England and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. This project will explore ways to appropriately balance representation and stakeholder engagement with the need for more efficient and flexible decision-making. This project is being conducted in parallel to similar efforts by the NEFMC and SAFMC, and in cooperation with the ASMFC.

Scope of Work: The selected contractor will (1) document the existing structure, representation, and use of Mid-Atlantic Council committees and advisory bodies, (2) document existing joint and cooperative management arrangements and procedures with other management organizations, (3) develop recommendations for potential improvements to these governance structures and procedures to address representation concerns and increase the efficiency and efficacy of the management process.

Additional Information: Complete details about the scope of work, contractor qualifications, and proposal submission instructions can be found in the full request for proposals (RFP).

Council Coordinating Committee Solicits Proposals for the Development of a Series of Videos to Celebrate 50-Years of Federal Fisheries Management – Proposals due Jan. 10

The Council Coordination Committee (CCC), on behalf of the eight U.S. regional fishery management councils, has issued a Request for Proposals to develop a series of eight short videos and one long video that tells the story of federal fisheries management through the eyes of those who live it every day.  The contractor will be tasked with developing a minimum of eight short videos centered around interviews of federal fishermen and associated fisheries in each of the eight fishery management council regions.  The interviews will highlight successes in various commercial and recreational fisheries identified by each regional management council.  The contractor will also be tasked with developing an umbrella video that highlights the diversity and successes of federal fisheries management, the council system, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

This project should be completed by the end of 2025 and a maximum of $185,000 is available to fund the work.

The Request for Proposals including the full scope of work can be found here.

Proposals Submission Deadline: 5:00 PM, PST on January 10, 2025.

Contact us at quotes@gulfcouncil.org with questions.

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Contractor to Develop Climate-Ready Updates to Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Source Documents – Proposals due Dec. 20

The Mid‐Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking a contractor(s) to update and develop Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) source documents for all Federally managed species in the Northeast. The proposal submission deadline is December 20, 2024.

Background: The regional fishery management councils are required under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to identify and describe EFH for all federally managed species. In the past, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center has compiled information on the distribution, abundance, and habitat requirements for each species managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils. These documents, referred to as “EFH source documents,” provide foundational information to support EFH reviews and designations. In addition to describing habitat requirements, these documents present information on all aspects of fish life history and ecology, including food habits, predator-prey dynamics, movement/migration, and stock genetics/structure. Although EFH source documents continue to be used by managers and researchers, they have not been revised or updated since the mid-2000s.

The goal of this project is to update EFH source documents for all Federally managed species to include new information on life history and ecology, distribution, habitat requirements, and climate impacts. These updates will ensure that EFH designations, consultations, and management decisions are guided by the most up-to-date science, supporting resilient, climate-ready fisheries across the Northeast US.

Scope of Work: The contractor(s) will conduct in-depth literature reviews and update all sections of the EFH source documents for all species currently managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils. EFH source documents were not previously prepared for a small number of managed species and will therefore need to be newly developed. The structure for the new and updated source documents will be developed by the contractor and approved by a project oversight team. Climate change adaptation is a focus area for both Councils. New and updated source documents should be “climate ready” in the sense that they should reflect any research literature that explains recent spatial changes in fish habitat use or adjustments to timing of activities such as spawning or migration.

Additional Information: Complete details about the project, contractor qualifications, and proposal submission instructions can be found in the request for proposals (RFP).

Request for Proposals: Evaluation of Low-Profile Gillnets to Mitigate Sturgeon Bycatch in the Commercial Spiny Dogfish Fishery

Summary: The Mid‐Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) seeks a highly qualified contractor to evaluate the use of low-profile gillnets to mitigate sturgeon bycatch in the commercial spiny dogfish fishery.

Proposal Submission Deadline: April 15, 2024

Details: Request for Proposals: Evaluation of Low-Profile Gillnets to Mitigate Sturgeon Bycatch in the Commercial Spiny Dogfish Fishery