September 14, 2026 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet Tuesday, October 6 – Thursday, October 8, 2026, at The Sanderling in Duck, North Carolina. The meeting is open to the public, with the exception of a closed Executive Committee session, and will also be accessible via webinar. Meeting materials, webinar information, and public comment instructions are available on the October 2026 Council Meeting Page.
Major agenda items include:
- Executive Committee: Review Ricks E Savage Award nominations (closed session); review draft deliverables for the 2027 Implementation Plan (open session).
- Vessel Baseline Restrictions: Review evaluation of vessel baseline restrictions and consider initiating management action.
- Scup Gear Restricted Areas: Review existing Scup Gear Restricted Areas, previous analyses, and recent project results; consider potential management action.
- Illex Squid: Review 2027 specifications and revise as necessary; discuss Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Illex quota issues and consider next steps.
- Atlantic Mackerel: Review previously adopted 2027 specifications and revise as necessary.
- Longfin Squid: Receive an overview of the recently completed Research Track stock assessment.
- Spiny Dogfish: Review previously adopted 2027 specifications and revise as necessary.
- Blueline Tilefish: Review recommendations from the Joint MAFMC-SAFMC Blueline Tilefish Subcommittee and consider next steps.
- Habitat: Receive an update from NOAA Fisheries’ Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division on habitat-related activities of interest in the region.
- Offshore Wind Fisheries Compensation: Receive an update on the draft design of the regional fisheries compensation fund and upcoming public comment opportunities.
- Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan: Receive a NOAA Fisheries presentation on the scoping process for potential future modifications to the plan.
- Business Session: Receive committee, agency, and liaison reports and provide an opportunity for general 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.