Saving Seafood

Council Actions

American Samoa Secures Landmark Victory at WCPFC22, US Makes Progress on Commitments for 2026

December 6, 2025 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The 22nd Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC22) meeting concluded Friday with a unanimous decision securing the long-term future of the South Pacific albacore fishery, a major gain for the American Samoa longline fishery managed by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council.
By consensus, WCPFC members adopted a new management procedure (MP) that could reduce overall South Pacific albacore catch by about 10-12% from recent years to approximately 56,000 metric tons in commission waters. The decision is expected to ease oversupply and improve market conditions for small island fleets, including American Samoa, which saw some of the worst economic conditions on record in 2024. It also meets a key requirement to maintain Marine Stewardship Council certification that allows the American Samoa longline fishery to sell albacore to the local StarKist cannery at a premium price.
“This management procedure has been nearly a decade in the making, and the U.S. Pacific territories took it over the top with their steadfast support,” said Kitty Simonds, Council executive director. “It is a critical step to stabilize the albacore fishery and the island economies and food security that depend on it.”
Council member Nathan Ilaoa, director of the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, championed a more conservative approach during negotiations. “When operational costs are high and catch rates are low, the only fleets that can continue to operate are those receiving substantial subsidies,” Ilaoa said. “That creates a critical inequity for the American Samoa longline fleet and other small island domestic fleets.”
Representatives from Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands supported American Samoa and other Pacific Island delegations. “These positions are consistent with protecting island food security and economies,” said Council member Chelsa Muña, director of Guam’s Department of Agriculture.
Next year, WCPFC members will negotiate an implementing measure and catch allocations to fully operationalize the new albacore MP.
The U.S. delegation, led by NOAA’s Drew Lawler, advanced priorities for Council-managed fisheries, including work toward a bigeye tuna management procedure that considers purse seine as well as longline impacts, and a commitment to adopt a conservation and management measure on electronic monitoring in 2026.
“Members of the U.S. and territorial delegations viewed his leadership as a vast improvement over previous years and said this year’s delegation presented a much stronger unified front,” Simonds said.

Reminder: Mid-Atlantic Council Solicits Public Input on Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

December 2, 2025 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold five public hearings to gather public input on a draft amendment to update Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) descriptions and maps for all 14 Council-managed species. The first hearing will be held by webinar today, December 2, at 6:00 p.m. 

More information about the proposed EFH updates can be found in the Public Hearing Document and on the Amendment Webpage. An interactive EFH Demo App allows users to view EFH by species and life stage, compare current and proposed EFH designations, and explore the underlying data and methodology. Click here to watch a video walkthrough of the app’s main features.

Comments may be submitted at any of the following public hearings. Two hearings will focus on specific species, while others will be “all species” sessions. If you are only interested in a particular species, we encourage you to join one of the species focus webinars.

  1. December 2, 2025, 6:00 p.m. (Webinar) – All Species: Open Discussion – Registration
  2. December 9, 2025, 6:00 p.m. (Webinar) – Focus: Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, and Spiny Dogfish – Registration
  3. January 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m. (Webinar) – Focus: Mackerels, Squids, Butterfish, Tilefishes, Surfclam, and Ocean Quahog – Registration
  4. January 13, 2026, 6:00 p.m. (Webinar) – All Species: Open Discussion –Registration
  5. February 3, 2026, 6:30 p.m. (In-Person) – Westin Crystal City (1800 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202). All Species: Open Discussion.

Written comments are being accepted until Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

Questions? Contact Jessica Coakley at jcoakley@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5252.

NEFMC: Reminder December Council Meeting Starts 12/2/25

December 1, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council’s December meeting begins tomorrow and runs December 2-4, 2025. This is an in-person meeting with a Zoom webinar option for remote participation.

 
START TIME: 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day, view the full agenda here.
LOCATION: (New venue) 
49 Americas Cup Avenue, Newport, RI USA 02840
 
ZOOM WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Access the meeting remotely via Zoom, register here. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Directed Atlantic Herring Area 1A Fishery Closure Effective 6 PM, November 24, 2025

November 24, 2025 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

NOAA Fisheries and the states of Maine and New Hampshire, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts project the Atlantic herring fishery will catch 92% of the Area 1A sub-annual catch limit by November 24, 2025. The Area 1A directed fishery will close effective 6:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025 and remain closed until further notice. Vessels that have entered port before 6:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025 may land and sell, from that trip, greater than 2,000 pounds of herring from Area 1A.

 
During a closure, vessels participating in other fisheries may retain and land an incidental catch of herring that does not exceed 2,000 pounds per trip or calendar day. In addition, directed herring vessels traveling through Area 1A must have all fishing gear stowed.
 
For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0716 or efranke@asmfc.org.
 

2025 Atlantic Herring Area 1A Fishery Season 2 Days Out Measures

November 19, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Management Board members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts met November 19 via webinar to set effort control measures for the 2025 Area 1A fishery for Season 2 (October 1 – December 31) following an increase in available quota for Area 1A. The 2025 Area 1A sub-annual catch limit (sub-ACL) is now 1,783 metric tons (mt) due to the reallocation of 1,000 mt to the Area 1A sub-ACL based on catch information from the Canadian New Brunswick weir fishery.

After accounting for the fixed gear set-aside, 2025 landings so far from Area 1A, and the 8% buffer (Area 1A closes at 92% of the sub-ACL), there are an estimated 632 metric tons available for harvest.

Currently, the Area 1A fishery is at zero landing days. The days out measures moving forward for Season 2 are as follows:

  • Landing days will continue to be set at zero (0) through Sunday, November 23.
  • The fishery will move to two (2) consecutive landing days starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 24 until 92% of the Area 1A sub-ACL has been caught. Landing days will be Mondays from 12:01 a.m. through Tuesdays at 11:59 p.m., weekly.

While landing days are set at zero (0), harvesters are prohibited from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per trip from Area 1A. Fishing for and possession of Atlantic herring may begin prior to landing days during Season 2.

For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atefranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

Days Out Meeting Motions (November 19, 2025)

Move to set the following schedule for Area 1A Season 2:

  • Set zero landing days through Sunday, November 23.
  • Starting 12:01AM on Monday, November 24, move to two consecutive landing days per week until 92% of the Area 1A sub-ACL has been caught. Landing days would be Monday-Tuesday. 

Motion made by Ms. Ware and seconded by Mr. Abbott. Motion passes by unanimous consent.

The press release is also available at https://asmfc.org/news/press-releases/atlantic-herring-area-1a-fishery-season-2-days-out-measures-november-2025/

Mid-Atlantic Council Solicits Public Input on Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

November 18, 2025 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold five public hearings to gather public input on a draft amendment to modify Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) designations and descriptions for 14 of the Council’s managed species. Hearings will be held between December 2, 2025 and February 3, 2026, and written comments will be accepted through February 11, 2026.

EFH is defined as “those waters and substrates necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.” Regional fishery management councils are required to identify and describe EFH for each species managed under a federal FMP. Once Councils have identified EFH, federal agencies must consult with NOAA Fisheries regarding whether their actions may adversely affect EFH.

In April 2025, the Council completed a review of EFH designations in collaboration with the New England Fishery Management Council. Based on the information and methods developed during this review, the Council is proposing to revise EFH designations and descriptions for its entire portfolio of managed species. These updates incorporate fish abundance data from multiple inshore and offshore surveys, as well as environmental data from several sources. Additional details can be found in the in the Public Hearing Document and on the Amendment Webpage.

Members of the public are invited to comment on any aspect of the draft amendment. Following a review of comments received, the Council will select a preferred alternative and submit the amendment to NOAA Fisheries for review and rulemaking.

Public Hearings

Comments may be submitted at any of the following public hearings. Two of the hearings will focus on specific species, while others will be “all species” sessions. If you are only interested in a particular species, we encourage you to join one of the species focus webinars.

  1. December 2, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Webinar Registration. All Species: Open Discussion.
  2. December 9, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Webinar Registration. Focus: Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, and Spiny Dogfish.
  3. January 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m. Webinar Registration. Focus: Mackerels, Squids, Butterfish, Tilefishes, Surfclam, and Ocean Quahog. 
  4. January 13, 2026, 6:00 p.m. Webinar Registration. All Species: Open Discussion.
  5. February 3, 2026, 6:30 p.m. In-Person: Westin Crystal City (1800 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202). All Species: Open Discussion.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods. Comments must be received by Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

  • Email to jcoakley@mafmc.org (use subject “EFH Amendment”)
  • Online at https://www.mafmc.org/comments/efh-amendment
  • Mail to Chris Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901. Mark the outside of the envelope “EFH Amendment.”

Atlantic Menhaden FAQ and Stock Assessment Overview

November 17, 2025, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

There’s been a lot of stakeholder discussion on the outcome of the October 28, 2025 meeting of the Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board. Some of the information being shared reflects a misunderstanding of the findings of the single-species assessment update and Ecological Reference Point Benchmark Stock Assessment, as well as the Board’s response to the assessments’ findings.

The Commission developed an FAQ and an Overview of the Atlantic Menhaden Stock Assessment Update and ERP Benchmark Stock Assessment to help explain how the Commission coordinates Atlantic menhaden management and the science behind recent Management Board decisions. We hope you find these helpful.

ASMFC Schedules Educational Webinars for Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Management Stakeholder Process

November 17, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Horseshoe Crab Management Board is convening a stakeholder engagement process to inform revisions to the Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework, including a series of three educational webinars and an in-person stakeholder workshop. The process will be facilitated by Compass Resource Management with the goal of identifying stakeholder values and perspectives in order to develop clear, actionable recommendations for revising core functions of the ARM Framework that reflect stakeholder priorities.

 The ARM Framework is a model used by the Commission to set annual harvest levels for horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay region. The Framework is designed to balance the needs of the horseshoe crab fishery with the ecological needs of migratory shorebirds, particularly the rufa red knot, which depends on horseshoe crab eggs as a food source. Within the ARM Framework, three mathematical functions—the Utility, Reward, and Harvest Policy (U/R/H) functions—serve to align the model with the values and interests of stakeholders.  

Three educational sessions will be held via webinar to build a shared understanding of the ARM Framework and the role of the U/R/H functions. These will be followed by a two-day values workshop, where participants will develop quantitative values representing the stakeholder groups’ interests for integration into the model and consensus recommendations for model updates. Fourteen individuals were selected to participate in this process and represent a broad range of stakeholder perspectives in this process, including commercial harvesters and dealers; biomedical industry representatives; and horseshoe crab, shorebird, and ecosystem conservationists. Other interested parties are welcome to attend the events as observers. Webinar details are as follows:

 Educational Webinars: Session 1

Wednesday, December 10, 3 – 5 p.m.

Educational Webinars: Session 2

Monday, January 5, 1 – 3 p.m. OR Thursday, January 8, 3– 5 p.m.

 Register for all sessions at this link:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7735336331916384086

The material to be covered in these webinars is divided into two sessions. Session 1 will provide an overview of the purpose and scope of the stakeholder process, expectations for the workshop, and a high-level overview of horseshoe crab management using the ARM Framework. Session 2 will cover the role and mechanics of theU/R/H functions in more detail to develop a foundation for workshop discussions. All sessions will include opportunities for Q&A. Please note that the two January sessions will cover the same material but discussion topics will likely differ.

The in-person stakeholder workshop is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, January 29-30. The location is still being finalized but will likely be held in coastal Delaware or Maryland. A press release will be published with workshop details once they are set. 

 Webinar Instructions

To register for the virtual educational sessions please click HERE and select the webinar(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Please be sure to register for Session 1 and one of the Session 2 webinars. The sessions will be held via GoToWebinar, and you can join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software by (clicking here) or via the App store under GoToWebinar. We recommend you register for the sessions well in advance since GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the Commission at info@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and we will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) so you can ask questions during the sessions. If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can also call in at 914.614.3221, access code 321-974-593. An audio PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar.

Please note that in order to ask questions or comment during the virtual session you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your smart phone. Those joining by phone (audio only) will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 914.614.3221 and enter access code 321-974-593.

For those who cannot attend the webinars, they will be recorded and posted on the Commission’s YouTube page. For more information on the Commission and horseshoe crab management, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org or visit https://asmfc.org.

Council Solicits Contractor Proposals to Plan and Convene a Workshop for the Scientific and Statistical Committee on Integrating Dynamic Reference Points into Fisheries Management

November 14, 2025 —  The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

Council Solicits Contractor Proposals to Plan and Convene a Workshop for the Scientific and Statistical Committee on Integrating Dynamic Reference Points into Fisheries Management

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to support a project that addresses climate-resilient fisheries through Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The application deadline is December 4, 2025.

WHAT IS THE PROJECT: The Council seeks a contractor to assist with planning and convening a Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) workshop and the preparation of a workshop summary report. This project is developing best management practices and guidelines for integrating dynamic reference points into fisheries management. The applications of this work include facilitating the use of phased harvest control rules, evaluating scientific and management uncertainty buffers, and reviewing performance of projection methods. This SSC workshop will build off two meetings in 2024:

ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section and Advisory Panel to Meet December 11 Section to Set Fishery Specifications

November 14, 2025 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section (Section) and Advisory Panel (AP) will meet on Thursday, December 11, at the Westin Portland Harborview, 157 High Street, Portland, Maine; 207.775.5411. The AP will meet from 9 – 10 AM to review the 2025 traffic light analysis, 2025 management trigger analysis implemented through Amendment 4, and Technical Committee (TC) recommendations. Following this review, the AP will formulate recommendations for specifications.

The Section will meet from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM on the same day to review the 2025 traffic light analysis, 2025 management trigger analysis, 2025 pilot winter sampling program report, and TC and AP recommendations prior to setting specifications for the 2026 fishing year or multiple fishing years. Amendment 4, approved earlier this year, allows the Section to set a fishery moratorium for up to five years at a time, if desired.

Meeting materials will be available December 1, 2025, at https://asmfc.org/events/northern-shrimp-section-7/. There are two opportunities to provide public comment prior to the meeting (1) emailcomments@asmfc.org by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25 to be included in the meeting materials or (2) email comments@asmfc.org by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 to be emailed directly to the Section.

For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atctuohy@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.