July 21, 2026 — The following was released by the The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet Tuesday, August 11 – Thursday, August 13, 2026 at The Westin Philadelphia. The meeting is open to the public and will also be accessible via webinar. Meeting materials, webinar information, and public comment instructions are available on the August 2026 Council Meeting Page.
Major agenda items include:
- Surfclam and Ocean Quahog: Adopt 2027-2028 specifications.
- Butterfish: Adopt 2027-2029 specifications and consider alternative trip limits and other measures intended to increase quota utilization.
- Monkfish and Skates: Review feedback received during the Spring 2026 listening sessions on potential fishery improvements.
- Chub Mackerel: Review 2027 specifications and consider revisions if needed.
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center Surveys: Receive an update on recent fishery-independent surveys and the Regional Industry Based Trawl Survey.
- Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan: Receive a presentation from NOAA Fisheries on the scoping process for potential future modifications to the plan.
- Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish: Review 2027 specifications and consider revisions, if needed.
- Scup Winter I Framework (final action): Review alternatives and take final action.
- Business Session: Receive committee, agency, and liaison reports; approve an appointment to the Scientific and Statistical Committee; 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.
Questions? Contact Mary Sabo at msabo@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5261.