The Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee will meet September 9 - 10, 2026, at the Sheraton Four Points - Philadelphia City Center (1201 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107). This will be an in-person meeting with a virtual option. SSC members, other invited meeting participants, and members of the public will have the option to participate in person or virtually.
Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, bmuffley@mafmc.org, 302-526-5260
Webinar Information
Click here to join the September 9-10, 2026 SSC meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2335 467 4188; Password: upUwGNMJ227). After you connect, you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.
For phone only access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2335 467 4188.
Agenda and Briefing Materials
Briefing materials will be posted below as they become available.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
9:30 Welcome/Overview of meeting agenda
9:35 Spiny Dogfish ABC data and fishery update; review of previously recommended ABC
10:00 Atlantic Mackerel ABC data and fishery update; review of previously recommended 2027 ABC
10:30 Illex Squid ABC data and fishery update; review of previously recommended ABC
11:00 Break
11:15 Illex Squid quota adjustments based on NAFO quota
SSC response to Illex/NAFO Terms of Reference
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Introductory overview of the Longfin Squid Research Track stock assessment information
3:00 Break
3:15 Overview of the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Fishing Effort Survey (FES) Calibration Results
Examples of Mid-Atlantic Council specific results
5:00 Adjourn
Thursday, September 10, 2026
8:30 Update on the Regional Industry-Based Trawl Survey (RIBTS)
Background, Phase 1 results, Phase 2 plans, and future development
10:00 Break
10:15 Offshore Wind Science Session
Coordination of offshore wind fisheries research: ROSA's portfolio and emerging regional priorities (R. Reilly, ROSA)
Offshore wind impacts on survey preclusion and stock assessment (M. Sun, VIMS)
Characterizing Fine-Scale Fishing Behavior and Offshore Wind Energy Trade-offs in Mid-Atlantic Clam and Scallop Dredge Fisheries (R. Calhoun, VIMS)
11:45 Lunch
12:30 Mid-Atlantic Council Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Projects
Evaluating Data Needs and Management Strategies to Support Climate-Ready Fisheries Management (L. Kerr, R. Brothers, A. Schneider U. of Maine)
Operationalizing Ecosystem and Habitat Indicators to Support Climate-Ready Fisheries Management in the Mid-Atlantic (S. Gaichas and G. Fay)
Climate-Ready Updates to the Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Source Documents: Life History and Habitat Characteristics for Federally Managed Fish in the Northeast (G. Fay)
2:00 Other Business
NRCC stock assessment timing and prioritization – SSC input
2:30 Adjourn
Note: agenda topic times are approximate and subject to change