During a webinar meeting on Wednesday February 25, 2015, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted to request that the National Marine Fisheries Service implement emergency rules to restrict commercial and recreational landings of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic. The Council’s … Continued
In February, 2015, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Tautog Management Board approved the 2015 Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for management use. Unlike previous assessments, which assessed the stock on a coastwide basis, the 2015 assessment evaluated … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved Addendum XXVI to the Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. The approved regions are Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Connecticut through New Jersey; … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved Addendum XXVI to the Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, continuing adaptive regional management for the 2015 recreational summer flounder fisheries. … Continued
In October, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) unanimously voted to raise the saltwater recreational license fees. The increase, which is the third since 1993, is a result of continuing budget shortfalls. According to VMRC, the increase will allow for … Continued
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has adjusted the General category (commercial handgear) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit to four large medium or giant BFT (i.e., four BFT measuring 73″ or greater) per vessel per day/trip effective June 1 … Continued
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) recently closed the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) Angling category fishery for large medium and giant “trophy” BFT (measuring 73″ or greater) in the southern area. The closure became effective 11:30 p.m. local time, Friday, … Continued
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved a combination of state and regional proposals for the 2014 summer flounder recreational fishery in accordance with Addendum XXV to the Summer Flounder, Scup … Continued
In December, 2013, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission increased the size limit on eels used as bait by recreational anglers from six to nine inches. The possession limit was reduced from 50 to 25 eels per person per day. The … Continued
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) approved a strategic plan during its August meeting in Wilmington, Delaware. The plan maps out a series of goals and strategies that will guide the Council’s management activities from 2014 through 2018. Four priority … Continued