Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries

Commission

Press Releases

  • Ecological Reference Points Benchmark Assessment Peer Review Scheduled for August 12-15, 2025
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    Ecological Reference Points Benchmark Assessment Peer Review Scheduled for August 12-15, 2025

    The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Northern Shrimp. In response to the continued poor condition of the northern shrimp stock, Amendment 4 modifies the first objective of the FMP to recognize the influence of environmental conditions on stock productivity and lengthens the amount of time the Northern Shrimp Section can set a moratorium from one year to up to five years. The Section can call a meeting at any time to review information relative to the fishery and the resource and initiate management action if necessary.

  • Non-Traditional Stakeholders Sought for Participation in ASMFC Horseshoe Crab Advisory Panel

    Non-Traditional Stakeholders Sought for Participation in ASMFC Horseshoe Crab Advisory Panel

    The Commission’s Horseshoe Crab Management Board approved Addendum IX to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Horseshoe Crabs. The Addendum allows the Board to set specifications for male-only harvest. It also establishes a method for managing male-only harvest limits during multi-year specifications periods, reestablishes seasonal harvest restrictions, and clarifies policy related to harvest caps for Maryland and Virginia.

  • ASMFC Approves Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Northern Shrimp

    ASMFC Approves Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Northern Shrimp

    The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Northern Shrimp. In response to the continued poor condition of the northern shrimp stock, Amendment 4 modifies the first objective of the FMP to recognize the influence of environmental conditions on stock productivity and lengthens the amount of time the Northern Shrimp Section can set a moratorium from one year to up to five years. The Section can call a meeting at any time to review information relative to the fishery and the resource and initiate management action if necessary.

  • Horseshoe Crab Board Approves Addendum IX

    Horseshoe Crab Board Approves Addendum IX

    The Commission’s Horseshoe Crab Management Board approved Addendum IX to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Horseshoe Crabs. The Addendum allows the Board to set specifications for male-only harvest. It also establishes a method for managing male-only harvest limits during multi-year specifications periods, reestablishes seasonal harvest restrictions, and clarifies policy related to harvest caps for Maryland and Virginia.

  • Sciaenids Board Initiates Draft Addendum II to Address Red Drum Stock and Management Concerns

    Sciaenids Board Initiates Draft Addendum II to Address Red Drum Stock and Management Concerns

    The Commission’s Sciaenids Management Board initiated Draft Addendum II to Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Red Drum. The Draft Addendum will consider a number of changes to the management programs for the southern (South Carolina to Florida) and northern (New Jersey to North Carolina) stocks of red drum in response to the findings of the 2024 Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report.

  • ASMFC Presents 2025 Annual Awards of Excellence

    ASMFC Presents 2025 Annual Awards of Excellence

    On May 6, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission presented its Annual Awards of Excellence to a number of individuals for their outstanding contributions to the management, legislative, scientific, outreach, and law enforcement efforts along the Atlantic coast.

  • MAFMC and ASMFC Approve Changes to Process for Setting Recreational Management Measures for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish

    MAFMC and ASMFC Approve Changes to Process for Setting Recreational Management Measures for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish

    The MAFMC and ASMFC Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board (Policy Board) have approved modifications to the process for setting recreational measures (bag, size, and season limits), as well as the recreational accountability measures, for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. The MAFMC recommended these changes through a framework action, and the Policy Board adopted these changes through Addendum XXXVI to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Addendum III to the Bluefish FMP. These changes are part of a broader long-term effort by both the MAFMC and ASMFC to improve recreational…

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