- Trending Topics:
Sustainably Managing Atlantic Fisheries
As a partnership of coastal states, we work together to protect essential marine species, ensuring vibrant fisheries, thriving communities, and resilient ecosystems, all through science-driven, cooperative management.
Meetings Calendar
Meetings Calendar
-
Tuesday, August 26
NEFMC & GARFO Public Engagement Session on the Joint Alternative Gear-Marking Framework
Tuesday, August 26
Four Points by Sheraton, Wakefield, MA
-
Tuesday, September 2
Webinar
-
Tuesday, September 2
Northeast Fisheries Science Center Aquarium Building, Clark Conference Room, 166 Water St. Woods Hole
-
Tuesday, September 9
Webinar
Our Programs
POLICY: Promoting Sustainable Fishing Practices for the Atlantic Coast
The goal of fisheries management is to balance sustainable harvests that support the fishing and seafood industries while safeguarding the productivity and health of marine ecosystems. Learn more about our management program, dive into species-specific information, and explore our Action Tracker that offers detailed insights into ongoing challenges, management discussions, and the steps being taken to address them. Discover how ASMFC’s law enforcement program upholds regulations to protect our fisheries.
SCIENCE: Providing Robust and Actionable Science to Inform Management Decisions
Sustainable management of fisheries relies on accurate and timely scientific advice. Find out more about how the Commission conducts rigorous stock assessments to guide sustainable fishing practices. Delve into our work on fish ageing, conserving fish habitat, tagging, resource surveys, and the integration of multispecies and ecosystem approaches.
DATA: Producing Dependable and Timely Marine Fisheries Data
Effective management depends on quality fishery-dependent data to inform stock assessments and fisheries management decisions. Learn how state, regional and federal partners work to ensure accurate catch, effort, and biological data on Atlantic coast recreational, for-hire, and commercial fisheries through the ACCSP.
Access the Action Tracker
Stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in fisheries management. You can explore current issues, ongoing discussions, and the actions being taken to address them.
Latest News & Resources
-
Atlantic Herring Eastern Maine Spawning Closure in Effect Starting August 28 through October 8, 2025
The Atlantic herring Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) fishery regulations include seasonal spawning closures for portions of state and federal waters in Eastern Maine, Western Maine, and Massachusetts/New Hampshire. The Commission’s Atlantic Herring Management…
-
Draft Addendum II to Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Red Drum for Public Comment
Modifications to Red Drum Management
-
Meeting Summary and Motions from the Joint Meeting of the MAFMC & ASMFC Policy Board, Bluefish Board, and Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board — August 2025
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met August 12-14, 2023, in Annapolis, MD. As part of the meeting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (Commission) Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board (Policy Board), Bluefish Management Board…
-
Summer Flounder FMP Review – 2024
-
ASMFC Seeks Contractor to Facilitate a Stakeholder Workshop to Inform Revisions to the DE Bay Horseshoe Crab Adaptive Resource Management Program
Proposals due by 11:59 PM on August 8, 2025
-
-
Scup Management Track Assessment Report — 2025
This assessment of the Atlantic Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) stock is a management track update assessment of the existing 2022 research track assessment (NEFSC 2022). Stock status for bluefish from the research track assessment (data through 2021) found the stock was not overfished, and overfishing was not occurring.
-
Bluefish Management Track Assessment Report — 2025
This assessment of the Atlantic Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) stock is a management track update assessment of the existing 2022 research track assessment (NEFSC 2022). Stock status for bluefish from the research track assessment (data through 2021) found the stock was not overfished, and overfishing was not occurring.
-
Summer Flounder Management Track Assessment Report — 2025
This assessment of the Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) stock is a Level-2 2024 management track assessment which updates the 2023 research track assessment model using the WHAM framework to fit a spatially explicit model specified for two regions, North or South of Hudson Canyon.
-
-
Black Sea Bass Management Track Assessment Report — 2025
This assessment of the Black Sea Bass (Centropristis striata) stock is a Level-2 2024 management track assessment which updates the 2023 research track assessment model using the WHAM framework to fit a spatially explicit model specified for two regions, North or South of Hudson Canyon.
-
-
Status Of The Stocks Overview
Quick Guide to ASMFC Species Stock Status (Current as of August 2025)
-
Massachusetts Sustainable Fishery Management Plan for River Herring – Herring Brook, Pembroke, MA
The objective of this Sustainable Fishery Management Plan (SFMP) is to allow a reopening of the recreational river herring fishery in the Nemasket River, located within the towns of Middleborough and Lakeville, Massachusetts. This 2022 SFMP is an update of the original SFMP prepared cooperatively by Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) and the Middleborough-Lakeville…
Get Hooked on ASMFC News
Dive into the latest updates and catch all the important news by joining our newsletter mailing list. Stay in the loop with meeting agendas, fisheries management news, and more.