The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) has scheduled a series of scoping hearings to gather public input for a proposed action to protect unmanaged forage species. The proposed action would consider a prohibition on the development of new, or expansion … Continued
For 2015, tilefish/grouper recreational landing permits can obtained by the angler directly via a new online process; once the appropriate information is provided the no-cost permit is issued immediately via email. Tilefish/grouper recreational landing permits required for all vessels to … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) have established specifications for the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish fisheries. ASMFCs actions are final and apply to state waters (0-3 miles from … Continued
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Meeting September 9-10, 2015 Sheraton Silver Spring Hotel 8777 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 NOAA Fisheries intends to hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel (AP) on September … Continued
NOAA Fisheries recently updated the Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI) to reflect the status of stocks as of June 30, 2015. The index tracks the performance of 199 key fish stocks important to U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries. NOAA Fisheries … Continued
The Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) is requesting project applications to restore and conserve habitat necessary to support coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fish species along the Atlantic Coast. Federal funding available under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan through … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Tautog Management Board has approved the development of an amendment to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The amendment will explore the establishment of new regional stock areas and associated reference points. The … Continued
NOAA Fisheries recently announced that the agency will transition from a telephone survey to a mail survey to gather data on fishing trips (effort) of Atlantic and Gulf Coast saltwater recreational anglers. The major change during the transition will involve … Continued
A 606-pound bluefin tuna, caught on April 6, 2015 by Chase Robinson, of Virginia Beach, has been certified as the new Virginia State Record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Robinson’s 606-pound record-setting bluefin tuna measured 113-1/2 inches in total … Continued
Anglers registered 5,040 trophy-size fish for citation awards during the 57th Annual Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament that ran from January 1st through December 31st 2014. This was slightly below the 10-year average (2004-2013) of 5,219 citations and represents an 18% … Continued