July 25, 2025 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet August 11-14, 2025, at the Westin Annapolis (100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-972-4300). A webinar option will be available for those who wish to participate virtually.
Meeting Materials: A detailed agenda is available on the August 2025 Council Meeting Page. Briefing materials and presentations will be posted as they become available.
Public Comment: The Council welcomes public comment from in-person and remote participants. Instructions and deadlines for submitting comments are available on the meeting page.
Webinar and Live Stream: The webinar will be hosted via Webex. No pre-registration is required. Connection details will be posted on the meeting page. The meeting will also be live streamed on the Council’s YouTube channel.
Agenda Highlights: Key topics and actions for consideration include:
- Executive Order on Seafood Competitiveness – Develop recommendations to reduce burdens and increase U.S. fishery production.
- Blueline Tilefish – Review correspondence from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and consider next steps.
- Illex Squid – Adopt 2026–2028 specifications and management measures.
- Longfin Squid (SQUIBS Project) – Review outcomes from the longfin squid biological sampling program.
- Atlantic Sea Scallops – Review results of the research track assessment and peer review.
- Recreational Sector Separation Amendment – Review preliminary conceptual alternatives and discuss plans for addressing recreational data collection issues.
- Bluefish – Adopt 2026–2027 specifications and recreational management measures.
- Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass – Adopt 2026–2027 specifications and review commercial management measures.
- Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) White Paper – Review white paper on separate OFLs and ABCs for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass and discuss next steps.
- Council Membership and Officer Elections – Swear in new members and elect officers.
Portions of the meeting will be conducted jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fisheries Management Program (ISFMP) Policy Board, Bluefish Board, and Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board.
Questions? Contact Mary Sabo at msabo@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5261.