Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries

Commission

Stock Assessments

Scientific evaluations of fish stock status, providing critical data on population sizes, health, and trends to inform management decisions.

  • ASMFC Stock Assessment Happenings
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    ASMFC Stock Assessment Happenings

    Upcoming Meetings for Atlantic Striped Bass Assessment Workshop, Cobia Methods Workshop, and Spot Stock Assessment Committee Planning Webinars Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s stock assessment staff, working in conjunction with state and federal stock assessment scientists, continue to make progress on a number benchmark stock assessments. Additionally, in the coming month, the Commission will post a species-specific Benchmark Stock Assessment Tracker webpage, much like our Action Trackers, to increase transparency in our stock assessment process by enabling stakeholders to track benchmark assessment development and where we are in the assessment process. A press release will announce…

  • Atlantic Herring Management Track Assessment Peer Review and Assessment Reports – June 2026

    Atlantic Herring Management Track Assessment Peer Review and Assessment Reports – June 2026

    This assessment of the Atlantic Herring (Clupea harengus) stock is a management track assessment, and is the first application of the WHAM assessment platform following the 2025 research track assessment (NEFSC 2025). The last management track assessment was in 2024 and was conducted using the ASAP model. Based on that assessment, the stock was overfished but overfishing was not occurring. This assessment updated fishery catch data, survey indices, life history parameters (e.g., weights-at-age), and the WHAM assessment model and reference points (BRPs) through 2025. The change in assessment platforms from the 2024 management track makes comparisons among the assessments inappropriate.…

  • ASMFC Begins Preparations for Benchmark Stock Assessment for Atlantic Sturgeon
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    ASMFC Begins Preparations for Benchmark Stock Assessment for Atlantic Sturgeon

    Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has initiated a benchmark stock assessment for Atlantic sturgeon to be completed in the fall of 2028. The goals of the assessment are to evaluate the health of stocks along the Atlantic coast and inform management of this species. The Commission’s stock assessment process and meetings are open to the public, with the exception of discussions of confidential data.  The Commission welcomes the submission of data sources that will contribute to the goals of the assessment. This includes, but is not limited to, data on abundance trends (e.g., surveys), tagging data,…

  • ASMFC Releases New Habitat Management Series Report on Atlantic States Shell Recycling
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    ASMFC Releases New Habitat Management Series Report on Atlantic States Shell Recycling

    Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has released the latest installment in its Habitat Management Series, Atlantic States Shell Recycling. The report highlights the growing role of shell recycling programs in supporting oyster reef restoration, coastal resilience, and sustainable fisheries management along the US Atlantic coast. Oyster reefs are among the most valuable habitats in coastal ecosystems, improving water quality, stabilizing shorelines, and providing critical habitat for commercially and recreationally important species. However, the availability of suitable shell for restoration has become a limiting factor in many regions. Shell recycling programs address this need by collecting…

  • ASMFC Begins Preparations for Benchmark Stock Assessment for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia
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    ASMFC Begins Preparations for Benchmark Stock Assessment for Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia

    Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has initiated a benchmark stock assessment for Atlantic migratory group cobia to be completed in 2027. The goals of the assessment are to evaluate the health of the stock along the Atlantic coast from Georgia northward to inform management. While updating the stock assessment model and datasets used in the 2020 benchmark stock assessment (SEDAR 58) will be considered, additional data sources and potential new models will also be explored due to data limitations and changes in management. The Commission’s stock assessment process and meetings are open to the public, except…

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