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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

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  • Fishery Management Plans
    • Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass
    • Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish
    • Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog
    • Bluefish
    • Golden and Blueline Tilefish
    • Spiny Dogfish
    • Monkfish
    • Council Action Archive (Amendments, Frameworks, and Specifications)
  • Ecosystem and Habitat
    • Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management
    • Habitat
    • Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment
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    • Deep Sea Corals
    • Aquaculture
    • Forage
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    • Scenario Planning
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    • NOAA Fisheries Climate Governance Policy
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    • Essential Fish Habitat Amendment
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    • Recreational Reform Initiative
    • Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework
    • Recreational Sector Separation Amendment
    • Spiny Dogfish Accountability Measures Framework
    • Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions
    • Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Species Separation Requirements
    • Offshore Wind
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Initiation of Action

Initiation of Action

Scoping

Scoping

During the scoping process, the Council gathers suggestions and ideas from stakeholders and others about how to solve a fishery problem or address a need. The Goal of scoping is to identify issues, potential impacts, and reasonable alternatives associated with the issues at hand so that reasonable management actions and alternatives can be developed.

Development of Alternatives

Development of Alternatives

Public Hearings

Public Hearings

The Council holds public hearings after identifying management options that can potentially solve a fishery issue. The purpose of public hearings is to gather feedback on potential impacts of the proposed alternatives and to suggest other possible alternatives as appropriate.

Final Action

Final Action

After the public has had an opportunity to comment on proposed management actions, the Council takes final action by choosing an appropriate management strategy. Final action occurs publicly, during a Council meeting, after one last opportunity for public input. The Council then votes to forward the fishery management plan or amendment to the Secretary of Commerce for final approval and implementation.

Rule Making

Rule Making

When the Council takes final action on a fishery management plan or amendment, it also deems a proposed rule to be necessary and appropriate to implement the actions in the fishery management plan or amendment and sends it to the Secretary of Commerce. The secretary opens 15 -60 day public comment period before deciding whether to approve, partially approve, or disapprove the proposed measure.

Implementation

Implementation

After a fishery management plan or amendment is approved by the Secretary of Commerce, a final rule is published in the Federal Register implementing the management actions.

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Initiation of Action
Scoping
Development of Alternatives
Public Hearings
Final Action
Rule Making
Implementation

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is one of eight fishery management councils responsible for the management of marine fisheries in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone. The council develops management plans for twelve species of fish and species off the coast of the Mid-Atlantic region.

  • Home
    • About the Council
    • Council Policies
    • Strategic Plan
    • Awards
    • Contact Us
    • Council Members
    • Staff
    • Committees
    • Advisory Panels
    • Scientific and Statistical Committee
    • Fishery Management Action Teams
    • Monitoring Committees
    • Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass
    • Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish
    • Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog
    • Bluefish
    • Golden and Blueline Tilefish
    • Spiny Dogfish
    • Monkfish
    • Council Action Archive (Amendments, Frameworks, and Specifications)
    • Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management
    • Habitat
    • Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment
    • Protected Resources
    • Deep Sea Corals
    • Aquaculture
    • Forage
    • River Herring and Shad
    • Climate Resilience
    • IRA Funding for Climate Ready Fisheries
    • Scenario Planning
    • East Coast Climate Coordination Group
    • NOAA Fisheries Climate Governance Policy
    • Scientific and Statistical Committee
    • Research Priorities
    • Recreational Fishing Data (MRIP)
    • Stock Assessments
    • Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP)
    • Electronic Reporting
  • Council Meetings
    • Essential Fish Habitat Amendment
    • Gear Marking Framework
    • Recreational Reform Initiative
    • Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework
    • Recreational Sector Separation Amendment
    • Spiny Dogfish Accountability Measures Framework
    • Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions
    • Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Species Separation Requirements
    • Offshore Wind
    • View ALL Current and Recent Council Actions
    • Council Meeting Materials
    • Council Correspondence
    • Council Strategic Plan
    • Council Policy and Process Documents
    • SSC Meeting Materials
    • Fishery Management Plans
    • Fishery Performance Reports
    • Unmanaged Landings Reports
    • SAFE Reports
    • Federal Register Actions - Supporting Documents
    • Get Involved
    • Public Comment
    • Marine Resource Education Program
    • Council Member Resources
    • Offshore Wind Notices and Comment Opportunities
    • Regulations
    • Webinar Help
    • Travel
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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 674-2331  |   Toll-Free: (877) 446-2362   |   Fax: (302) 674-5399   |  Email: contact@mafmc.org

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