Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Archives

The Tide has Turned: Atlantic Mackerel Shows Signs of Improvement

July 1, 2026 — Since 2017, NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council have been trying to help the Atlantic mackerel population rebuild. The population has been struggling, but a recent stock assessment shows that the population is showing signs of improvement.

We manage Atlantic mackerel under the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. In 2017, a benchmark stock assessment found that the mackerel population was dangerously low and overfishing was occurring. As a result, in 2019 we developed and implemented a 5-year rebuilding plan to help the mackerel population recover. That rebuilding plan was extended to 10 years after a 2021 management track assessment indicated the stock could not rebuild within the initial 5-year window. A 2023 management track assessment revealed the stock was no longer experiencing overfishing, but the mackerel population was still struggling to rebound. As a result, commercial possession limits and fishery specifications were reduced further.

In September 2025, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center completed another management track assessment for mackerel using updated data through 2024. That assessment indicated the mackerel population is no longer low, and overfishing is still not occurring. Mackerel abundance from the 2024 spring bottom trawl survey was also near a record high. In 2024 egg production in U.S. waters was the highest since the 1980s, and estimated recruitment was the highest it’s been since 1983. While the mackerel population is showing signs of improvement, there is a substantial amount of uncertainty. Mackerel assessments have tended to overestimate terminal year recruitment in the past, and the abundance of older, larger fish in the mackerel population is low. However, the 2025 assessment results represent an improvement from the last few assessments.

Read the full article at NOAA Fisheries

June 2026 Council Meeting Summary

June 30, 2026 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met June 16-18, 2026, in Alexandria, VA. A summary of key actions and discussions from the meeting is now available.

Read the June 2026 Council Meeting Summary

Additional materials, including briefing documents, presentations, motions, and webinar recordings, can be found on the Meeting Page. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Sabo (msabo@mafmc.org, 302-526-5261) or another member of Council staff.

Next Meeting:

The next Council meeting will be held August 11-13, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA. A full list of upcoming meetings can be found at https://www.mafmc.org/council-events.

Request for Nominations: Scientific and Statistical Committee

June 25, 2026 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking one qualified candidate to serve on its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). The successful candidate will serve out the remainder of an open three-year appointment through 2027 and will then be eligible for a full three-year term beginning in 2028.

The SSC serves as the Council’s primary scientific/technical advisory body and provides independent scientific advice for fishery management decisions, including recommendations for acceptable biological catch and rebuilding targets. The SSC also provides science advice and information on stock status, bycatch, habitat, social and economic impacts of management measures, and research priorities. SSC members are also expected to serve on various technical working groups and peer review panels as part of their SSC responsibilities.

The SSC typically meets 4-5 times per year, with meetings lasting from one to three days. Meetings may be held in-person or via webinar, and in-person meetings are usually held in the Mid-Atlantic region (e.g., Philadelphia, PA, Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C.). Eligible SSC members receive a daily stipend for meetings and are reimbursed for travel expenses.

Membership is composed of state and federal employees, academia, and independent experts with scientific and technical expertise in biology, statistics, stock assessments, economics, social science, and other relevant disciplines. Highly qualified candidates from all relevant fields are encouraged to apply. However, the Council will be prioritizing candidates with expertise in fisheries economics and/or social sciences to help support Council priorities and actions that have socioeconomic implications.

Individuals interested in applying for nomination to the SSC must submit a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume and a brief letter describing qualifications, relevant experience, and reason for interest in joining the SSC. Materials should be submitted by email to admin@mafmc.org by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, July 24, 2026.The Council’s Executive Committee will review all applications and recommend one applicant for consideration and approval by the full Council.

Changes to Summer Flounder Commercial Minimum Mesh Size Flynet Exemption

June 23, 2026 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

NOAA Fisheries recently implemented changes to the summer flounder commercial minimum mesh size exemption for vessels fishing with flynet otter trawls, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

BACKGROUND

Federal regulations for the summer flounder trawl fishery require a minimum mesh size of 5.5-inch diamond mesh or 6.0-inch square mesh to retain more than 100 pounds of summer flounder in the summer (May through October) or 200 pounds in winter (November through April). The regulations include an exemption to these requirements for vessels fishing with flynet otter trawls. Flynets are not designed to catch flatfish and generally catch small amounts of summer flounder. The flynet exemption allows vessels targeting other species to legally retain incidental catch of summer flounder in excess of the 100 and 200 pound seasonal possession limits, provided the vessel also holds a summer flounder moratorium permit. Vessels fishing under the exemption must continue to comply with applicable federal regulations as well as the regulations of the state in which they are permitted, including seasons and possession limits.

WHAT IS CHANGING?

1. Updated Definition of “Flynet”

The regulatory definition of a flynet has been revised to reflect modern net configurations used throughout the region. To qualify as a flynet, an otter trawl must have the following configuration:

The net has large mesh in the wings that measures 8 inches (20.3 cm) or greater.
The first body section (belly) of the net has at least 280 inches (711.2 cm) of mesh behind the sweep where the mesh size is at least 8 inches (20.3 cm).
The mesh decreases in size throughout the body of the net toward the codend.

Important: To utilize the flynet exemption, vessels must have no other nets or netting with mesh smaller than 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) on board.

2. New Flynet Gear Code for VTR Reporting

A new gear code has been implemented to improve monitoring of trips taken under the flynet exemption. When submitting Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs), flynet operators must now select the appropriate gear code:

Reporting Platform Gear Code to Select

GARFO Fish Online eVTR FLY – OTTER TRAWL, BOTTOM, FLYNET

ACCSP eTrips FLY NET

Accurate gear code reporting will support better monitoring of the flynet exemption and inform future management decisions.

The Final Rule implementing these changes also made modifications to the Summer Flounder Small Mesh Exemption Program (SMEP), a seasonal exemption applying to authorized vessels from November 1 through April 30 each year. For more information, visit https://www.mafmc.org/actions/summer-flounder-commercial-mesh-exemptions.

MAFMC and ASMFC Seek Participants for Recreational Sector Separation Workshop

June 8, 2026 — The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are seeking participants for a stakeholder workshop on recreational sector separation options for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries.

The workshop will support development of a joint amendment considering potential changes to the recreational management programs for these species, including options for managing for-hire fisheries separately from other recreational fishing modes, as well as possible changes to permit and reporting requirements for the for-hire sector. Workshop discussions will primarily focus on the current draft range of options, including:

Recreational mode management approaches and guidelines
Potential Letter of Authorization program for federally-permitted for-hire vessels
Federal for-hire permit requirements and limited entry options
State for-hire permitting and reporting requirements

Input provided during the workshop will help inform continued development of management options for consideration by the Council and Commission later in 2026.

Workshop Details

The workshop will be held September 23-24, 2026, in the Baltimore, MD area.

Who Should Apply?

The Council and Commission are seeking approximately 20 highly engaged recreational fishery stakeholders with experience in the for-hire or private recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass and bluefish and an interest in identifying meaningful approaches for improving management across all recreational sectors. Participants must be available to attend in person. The Council will cover travel/lodging costs for selected participants.

How to Apply

Interested individuals are encouraged to complete the Workshop Application Form by Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Applications will be reviewed by the Fishery Management Action Team/Plan Development Team for this action, with recommendations forwarded to the Council and the Commission Chairs for approval. The Council and Commission will seek to identify a group of participants with balanced representation across states/regions, interest groups, and expertise. Individuals selected to participate will be notified in late July.

If you have questions about the workshop, please contact Kiley Dancy at kdancy@mafmc.org.

The press release can also be found at https://asmfc.org/news/press-releases/mafmc-and-asmfc-seek-participants-for-recreational-sector-separation-workshop/

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to Meet June 16-18, 2026, in Alexandria, VA

May 28, 2026 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet Tuesday, June 16 – Thursday, June 18, 2026 at the Sheraton Suites Old Town Alexandria (801 North Saint Asaph Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703-836-4700) with a webinar option for those who choose to participate virtually.

Meeting Materials: Briefing materials and presentations will be posted on the June 2026 Council Meeting Page 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 are available on the meeting page. The meeting will also be live streamed on the Council’s YouTube channel.

Agenda Highlights: A detailed agenda is available here. Key topics and actions for consideration include:

2026 Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report – Review and provide feedback
Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Risk Assessment Report – Review and provide feedback
Vessel Baseline Evaluation – Receive update and discuss next steps
Unmanaged Commercial Landings Report – Review and provide feedback
Golden Tilefish – Review previously adopted specifications for 2027 and recommend changes if necessary
Blueline Tilefish – Adopt 2027-2029 specifications; review and revise commercial and/or recreational measures if needed
NEFSC Atlantic Mackerel Cooperative Research Initiative (“MackPack”) – Review and provide feedback
Fisheries Monitoring and Research Division (FMRD) Programs – Review and provide feedback
Scup Winter I Framework – Review preliminary analysis and adopt draft range of alternatives for further development
NEFSC Surveys Update – Receive update on the 2025 and 2026 fishery-independent survey seasons, Regional Industry Trawl Survey (RIBTS), and other survey related topics

Questions? Contact Mary Sabo at msabo@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5261.

NEW YORK: A familiar name earns one of the Mid-Atlantic’s top honors

April 17, 2026 — The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has named longtime industry representative and former Council member Peter Hughes as the recipient of the 2025 Ricks E. Savage Award, recognizing his decades of contributions to fisheries management and conservation in the region.

The award was established in 2006 to recognize individuals who have added value to the Council process and management goals through significant scientific, legislative, enforcement, or management activities. The Council’s meeting last week in New York City was when Hughes accepted the award.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Council Presents Ricks E Savage Award to Peter Hughes

April 16, 2026 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has named Peter Hughes, longtime industry representative and former Council member, as the recipient of the 2025 Ricks E Savage Award. The Council established the award in 2006 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the management and conservation of fishery resources in the mid-Atlantic region. The award was presented to Hughes during the Council’s meeting last week in New York City.

A native of Elyria, Ohio, Hughes first discovered his love of fishing during family vacations on Long Beach Island. That early passion eventually led him to Cape May, New Jersey, in 1986, where he began his career in commercial fisheries aboard the F/V Atlantic Prince. In 1990, he transitioned to a shoreside role at Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc., where he has worked for more than 35 years and now serves as Director of Sustainability. Hughes was appointed to the Council in 2016 and served with distinction for nine years before completing his service in 2025. During this time, he became one of the Council’s most steadfast leaders, bringing broad, practical knowledge of fisheries to every discussion.

As Chair of the Council’s Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Committee for eight years, Hughes guided the Council through the development of several challenging management actions, including two Atlantic mackerel rebuilding actions, an amendment to establish long-term management of chub mackerel, and a framework that established measures to limit future capacity increases in the Illex squid fishery. He also served as Chair of the Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Committee for five years, providing steady leadership throughout the development of a major amendment to modify species separation requirements in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries.

Hughes also served as the Council’s liaison to the New England Fishery Management Council throughout his entire tenure, representing the Mid-Atlantic Council on several New England committees. In that role, he ensured clear communication between the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils, conveying priorities, decisions, and concerns in both directions.

Hughes was also recognized for his approach to public engagement. “Peter took public comment very seriously and was sensitive to the competing interests of recreational and commercial stakeholders, as well as differing sectors within the industry,” said Joe Cimino, Council Chair. “He always came to the table with the goal of finding the best possible solutions for all parties.” One notable example came during the development of the Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Amendment, when the Council was considering a federal recreational possession limit for mackerel. Early options ranged from 10 to 15 fish. After reviewing public comments and input from the New England states regarding the potential impacts on for-hire businesses that rely on mackerel for bait, Hughes proposed expanding the range to include a 20-fish limit. The Council ultimately adopted that option, which reduced the burden on those businesses while still meeting rebuilding objectives.

The Council extends its gratitude to Peter Hughes for his years of dedicated service and congratulates him on this well-deserved honor.

Request for Proposals: Facilitation Services for a Recreational Sector Separation Workshop

March 10, 2026 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking a contractor to provide facilitation services for a stakeholder workshop on Recreational Sector Separation for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. The proposal submission deadline is April 10, 2026.

Background: The Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Policy Board are currently developing an amendment to consider managing for-hire recreational fisheries separately from other recreational modes (referred to as sector separation), as well as potential changes to for-hire permit and reporting requirements. In December 2025, the Council and Policy Board determined that additional stakeholder input was necessary to refine the draft management alternatives. As a result, a workshop will be held in September 2026 and will convene approximately 20 highly engaged recreational stakeholders to provide feedback on the current range of options.

Scope of Work: The selected contractor will work closely with Council and Commission staff to support the planning and execution of the workshop. Key responsibilities include:

Pre-Workshop Coordination: Assist with identifying participants, refining workshop objectives, and coordinating workshop logistics.
Workshop Design and Agenda Development: Develop a detailed agenda and structured discussion formats.
Briefing Materials: Assist with developing clear, accessible background materials for participants.
Workshop Facilitation: Serve as the primary facilitator for the 1 to 1.5-day in-person workshop.
Summary Report: Prepare a written summary of discussions, key themes, and recommendations for Council and Policy Board consideration.

Additional Information: Complete details about the scope of work, contractor qualifications, and proposal submission instructions can be found in the full request for proposals (RFP).

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to Meet February 10-11, 2026

January 28, 2026 — The following was release by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet Tuesday, February 10 – Wednesday, February 11, 2026. This will be a fully virtual meeting.

Meeting Materials: Briefing materials and presentations will be posted on the February 2026 Council Meeting Page 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. Pre-registration is not required. Connection details are available on the meeting page. The meeting will also be live streamed on the Council’s YouTube channel.

Agenda: A detailed agenda is available here.

Questions? Contact Mary Sabo at msabo@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5261.