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.

NEFSC Invites Input on June 2026 Management Track Assessments

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) will hold a virtual community input meeting on Wednesday, February 26th, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to help guide development of the June 2026 Management Track Assessments for the following stocks:

• Atlantic herring 

• Butterfish

• Georges Bank Atlantic cod 

• Georges Bank haddock 

• Longfin inshore squid 

• Ocean quahog

Input on topics such as movement, stock health, and fishing behavior dynamics will help assessment scientists better understand what is happening on-the-water and improve the science. Anyone who is unable to join the meeting or wants to provide additional input can provide comments through the community input form through April 30, 2025.

Learn more on the NEFSC event page.

Council Approves Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Excessive Shares Amendment

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved the Excessive Shares Amendment to the Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Fishery Management Plan (FMP) during its meeting last week in Annapolis, Maryland. The Excessive Shares Amendment was developed to address the "excessive share" provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA). The amendment also considered revisions to the multi-year specification setting process and modifications to the FMP goals and objectives. Below are summaries of the issues addressed and the Council’s preferred alternatives.

Excessive Shares Cap and Review Timeframe

National Standard 4 (NS4) of the MSA mandates that allocations of fishing privileges must be "carried out in such manner that no particular individual, corporation, or other entity acquires an excessive share of such privileges." To be consistent with NS4, the Council was required to develop measures which specifically define what constitutes an excessive share in the surfclam and ocean quahog individual transferable quota (ITQ) program.

The Council considered a wide range of excessive shares cap alternatives, including options that would place limits on quota share ownership and options that would limit annual allocations based on both owned quota share and possession of cage tags. The Council ultimately selected an alternative which would implement a quota share ownership cap of 35% for surfclams and 40% for quahogs and an annual allocation cap (based on the possession of cage tags) of 65% for surfclams and 70% for ocean quahogs. The Council’s preferred alternative represents a compromise on the part of the fishing industry and will allow for some additional efficiencies in the fisheries (through further consolidation). This option will allow a reasonable number of entities to exist if fully consolidated and will bring the FMP in to compliance with NS4. The Council specified that the excessive shares measures should be reviewed at least every 10 years or as needed.

Multi-Year Management Measures

Currently, surfclam and ocean quahog management specifications are set for up to 3 years. Through this amendment, the Council voted to allow specifications to be set for the maximum number of years consistent with the stock assessment schedule. As a result, based on the current stock assessment schedule, surfclam specifications would be set for four years and ocean quahog for six years.

FMP Goals and Objectives

Finally, the Council adopted a suite of revised goals and objectives recommended by the Fishery Management Action Team that better reflect the Council's long-term intent for these fisheries. These goals and objectives focus on sustainability, a simple and efficient management regime, managing for stability, management that is flexible and adaptive to changes, and the promotion of science and research.

Additional information and background documents related to this amendment are available at http://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-excessive-shares-amendment.

PDF Version

New England Council to join Mid-Atlantic Council’s Commercial eVTR Framework

View press release

NOAA Fisheries Announces Commercial Harvest Quotas for Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog

November 6, 2018 - The following was released by NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Office:

For fishing year 2019 (January 1–December 31, 2019), the quota will remain 3.4 million bushels for surfclams, 5.33 million bushels for ocean quahogs, and 100,000 Maine bushels for Maine ocean quahogs.

These quotas are unchanged from fishing year 2018. In addition, as was the case for the last 14 years, the minimum size limit for surfclams is being suspended for the 2019 fishing year. 

These measures become effective on January 1, 2019.

To get all the details, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today and the permit holder bulletin posted on our website.

Questions?

Fishermen: Contact Douglas Potts at 978-281-9341 

Media: Contact Jennifer Goebel at 978-281-9175

NOAA Fisheries Announces the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Acceptable Biological Catch Omnibus Framework Adjustment

April 10, 2018 – The following was released by NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Office:

NOAA Fisheries announces three administrative changes to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s processes in setting catch limits though the Acceptable Biological Catch Omnibus Framework Adjustment:

1. The Council may now recommend multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) limits for Mid-Atlantic fisheries, which may bring greater stability and predictability to the fishing industry;
2. The Atlantic Bluefish, Tilefish, and Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plans will now automatically incorporate the best available scientific information in calculating ABCs (as all other Mid-Atlantic management plans do) rather than requiring a separate management action to adopt them; and
3. New language clarifies the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules.

To get all the details on these management changes, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today. 

Questions? 

• Fishing Industry Contact: Erin Wilkinson, Headquarters Office, 301-427-8561
• Media: Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

October 2017 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions taken and issues considered at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s October 2017 meeting in Riverhead, NY. Presentations, briefing materials, and webinar recordings are available on the Council website at http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/october-2017.

Open October 2017 Council Meeting Summary (pdf)