National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Notice of public meeting.
SUMMARY:
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public meetings of the Council.
DATES:
The meetings will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2026 through Thursday, August 13, 2026. For agenda details, see
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
.
ADDRESSES:
This will be an in-person meeting with a virtual option. Council members, other meeting participants, and members of the public will have the option to participate in person at The Westin Philadelphia (99 South 17th Street at Liberty Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103) or virtually via Webex webinar. Webinar connection instructions and briefing materials will be available at:
https://www.mafmc.org/briefing/august-2026.
Council address:
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N State St., Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone: (302) 674-2331;
https://www.mafmc.org.
The Council's website,
https://www.mafmc.org,
also has details on the meeting location, proposed agenda, webinar listen-in access, and briefing materials.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Christopher M. Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council; telephone: (302) 526-5255.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The following items are on the agenda, although agenda items may be addressed out of order (changes will be noted on the Council's website when possible).
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Executive Committee (Closed Session)
Review applications for Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) vacancy
Swearing in of New and Reappointed Council Members
Election of Officers
2027-2028 Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Specifications
Review recommendations from the Advisory Panel, SSC, and staff
Adopt specifications for 2027-2028
LUNCH
Butterfish
2027-2029 Butterfish Specifications
Review recommendations from the Advisory Panel, SSC, Monitoring Committee, and staff
Adopt specifications for 2027-2029
Alternative Butterfish Trip Limits and Other Measures to Increase Quota Utilization
Review analyses and Advisory Panel input
Monkfish and Skates
Review input from Spring 2026 listening sessions on potential monkfish/skate fishery improvements
2027 Chub Mackerel Specifications
Review recommendations from the Advisory Panel, SSC, Monitoring Committee, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications and management measures, and recommend changes if necessary
Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Surveys Update—Dr. Kathryn Ford, NEFSC
Update on the 2025 and 2026 fishery-independent survey seasons
Update on the Regional Industry Based Trawl Survey (RIBTS)
Other survey related topics
Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP) Scoping Presentation—Corie Grewal, NOAA Fisheries
Review information on the scoping process for potential future ALWTRP modifications
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Council Convenes With the ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board
2027 Summer Flounder Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications, including commercial measures, and revise as necessary
2027 Black Sea Bass Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications, including commercial measures, and revise as necessary
2027 Scup Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications, including commercial measures, and revise as necessary
Council Adjourns
ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Only
ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Plan review
LUNCH
Council Reconvenes With ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board
Scup Winter I Framework
Review alternatives and impacts analysis
( printed page 46775)
Council takes final action
Commission considers initiating addendum
Council Convenes With the ASMFC Bluefish Management Board
2027 Bluefish Specifications
Review recommendations from the SSC, Monitoring Committee, Advisory Panel, and staff
Review previously adopted 2027 specifications, including commercial and recreational measures, and revise as necessary
ASMFC Bluefish Board Only
ASMFC Bluefish Fishery Management Plan review
Marine Resource Education Program (MREP) Overview and Recruiting
Review program status and provide feedback
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Business Session
Committee Reports (Scientific and Statistical Committee, Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel); Executive Director's Report; Organization Reports; and Liaison Reports
Other Business and General Public Comment
Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c).
Special Accommodations
These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Shelley Spedden, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.