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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
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Monday, November 3
Webinar
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Monday, November 3
Webinar
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Wednesday, November 5
Webinar
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Monday, November 10
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
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American Lobster Management Board Presentations — October 2025
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ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Board Approves Addendum III Without Reductions in Fishery Removals
The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board approved Addendum III to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Addendum modifies requirements for commercial tagging programs, implements a standard…
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ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden Board Reduces 2026 TAC by 20% and Initiates Addendum for Chesapeake Bay Cap
The Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board received the results of the single-species assessment update and the 2025 Ecological Reference Points (ERPs) Assessment and Peer Review Reports and accepted the ERPs Assessment and Peer Review Report…
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Zero Landing Days Continue for Season 2 of the 2025 Atlantic Herring Area 1A Fishery
This is an update on Season 2 (October 1 – December 31) of the 2025 Area 1A fishery for Atlantic herring. In September 2025 (Memorandum 25-81), the Atlantic Herring Management Board members from Maine, New…
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Atlantic Coast Fisheries Infographic
Graphic on the economic impact of Atlantic coast fisheries
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Tautog Regional Assessments Update Shows Varied Stock Status by Region
The Commission’s American Lobster Management Board received the results of the 2025 American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report, which presents contrasting results for the two American lobster stocks in US waters. The Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank (GOM/GBK) stock is not depleted but has declined 34% since peak levels in 2018,…
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American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment Finds GOM/GBK Stock Not Depleted but Experiencing Overfishing & SNE Stock Significantly Depleted but Not Experiencing Overfishing
The Commission’s American Lobster Management Board received the results of the 2025 American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report, which presents contrasting results for the two American lobster stocks in US waters. The Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank (GOM/GBK) stock is not depleted but has declined 34% since peak levels in 2018,…
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Horseshoe Crab Board Sets Male-Only Bait Harvest Specifications for Horseshoe Crabs of Delaware Bay-Origin for 2026 and 2027
The Commission’s Horseshoe Crab Management Board approved bait harvest specifications for horseshoe crabs of Delaware Bay-origin. Taking into consideration the output of the Adaptative Resource Management (ARM) Framework, the Board set an annual harvest limit of 500,000 male horseshoe crabs and zero female Delaware Bay-origin horseshoe crabs for 2026 and 2027. Addendum IX was approved…
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Daniel McKiernan Elected ASMFC Chair
Member states of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission thanked Joseph Cimino of New Jersey for a successful two-year term as Chair and elected Daniel McKiernan of Massachusetts to succeed him.
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ISFMP Policy Board Annual Meeting Supplemental Materials 2 — October 2025
Revised Draft Agenda & Meeting Overview
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Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Annual Meeting Supplemental Materials — October 2025
LEC Meeting Summary; AP Recommendations on Draft Addendum III; NYSDEC Memo: Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 – Proposal to Modify New York’s Closure Duration in Waves 2 & 6; Draft Addendum III Public Comment Summary and Submitted Comments
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.