Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

ASMFC Draft Strategic Plan for Public Comment (public comment accepted until 5 PM (EST) January 10, 2014; click here to submit public comment)

American Lobster Draft Addendum XXIII for Public Comment: Habitat Considerations  (public comment accepted until 5 PM (EST) December 20, 2013; click here to submit public comment)

ASMFC Compact, Rules & Regulations

ISFMP Charter

ASMFC Status of the Stocks

ASMFC Technical Support Group Guidance and Benchmark Stock Assessment Process

WWII played a significant role in the proceedings of the Commission's 1st Annual Meeting in 1942. The U.S. government believed that "food would win the war" and any limits or restrictions that would inhibit short-term food production were inconsistent with this outlook. President Roosevelt established a temporary Office of the Coordinator of Fisheries to ensure the greatest possible fish production, and each fisheries organization, including ASMFC, was directed to appoint a liason to that office. This spurred the Commission into instant action to coordinate, gather scientific knowledge, and conduct experiments all in the name of winning the war. Discussions at the Annual Meeting included setting aside the year's pack of salmon, sardines, Atlantic herring and mackerel for the government, and the development of a menhaden cannery especially for wartime consumption.