Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management: Science, Stewardship, and Shared Successes

One of the most innovative aspects of the Magnuson-Stevens Act was the establishment of eight regional councils to manage fisheries. Across the country, regional councils are tackling their own unique challenges, each shaped by their local coastal communities and united under a shared framework. In celebration of 50 years of the Act, we're presenting this eight-part series to highlight the landmark work of each region.

Fisheries management decisions often involve difficult tradeoffs between conservation goals, economic pressures, and the needs of

fishing communities. The Mid-Atlantic region became an early example of how collaborative, science-based management could work across state and federal waters.

That commitment to collaboration helped shape early approaches to fisheries management that evolved into today's continued efforts. After Congress passed the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 1976 , eight newly formed regional councils became the foundation for fisheries management in the United States. In 1977, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council was one of the first councils to implement science-based fishery management plans in partnership with NOAA Fisheries, state agencies, fishermen, and scientists. Their first fishery management plan-covering both Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog -marked the beginning of decades of innovation in fisheries science and management in the region.

Building a Foundation for Sustainable Fisheries Management

Today, the Mid-Atlantic Council manages fisheries for 15 species under seven fishery management plans. The Council's fishery management plans designate more than 50 forage species and species groups as "ecosystem components.". The Council works closely with NOAA Fisheries, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission , the New England Fishery Management Council , fishermen, researchers, coastal communities, and others to balance conservation goals with economic opportunities.

"Industry are the ones who are on the water day in and day out. They have real-world experience and knowledge that complements any science. By listening and responding to industry feedback, we're able to continue to develop trust and confidence in the work being done." - Scott Curatolo-Wagemann, Senior Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension

A hallmark of the Mid-Atlantic region is its collaborative approach between federal and state managers. The Council and the Commission jointly manage several important fisheries across state and federal waters, including commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder , scup , black sea bass , and bluefish . This level of coordination across jurisdictions is relatively uncommon nationally, and has been an effective approach for cooperative fisheries management of interconnected resources.

More on cooperative research efforts with the fishing industry

Summer Flounder

Summer flounder, also known as fluke, is one of the most valuable commercial and recreational flatfish fisheries along the Atlantic coast. In 2024, recreational and commercial landings totaled 5.5 million and 8.9 million pounds, respectively, with the commercial harvest valued over $28 million. But in the mid-1980s, the stock had become overfished. Managers were concerned fishing pressure would continue to increase as fishermen sought alternatives to depleted groundfish fisheries in New England.

Given fluke's distribution across both inshore and offshore habitats, the Council and the Commission recognized the need for coordinated management across state and federal waters. They developed a joint management plan that was implemented in 1988. The plan implemented science-based catch limits, rebuilding schedules, size limits, reporting requirements, and other measures.

Over time, those measures helped rebuild the stock and created a coordinated management system between state and federal partners. In 1996, the plan was amended to include black sea bass and scup, and in 2012 NOAA Fisheries formally declared summer flounder rebuilt. Management of the fishery remains challenging today, as environmental conditions, species distribution ranges, and harvesting methods continue to evolve. But the fishery is often cited as an important example of successful, long-term rebuilding of a stock through cooperative management.

"The future needs mutual trust. Both fishermen and managers can fall into rigid ways of thinking, and having an open mind is important for fostering collaboration." - Captain Mark Phillips, F/V Prevail, New York

Video: Summer flounder resting on an oyster cage

Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog

One of the region's most influential management efforts stemmed from Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. By the late 1980s, managers had implemented strict controls to prevent overfishing. Those measures-including permit limits, harvest quotas, and trip restrictions-protected the shellfish, but they also created a highly competitive system for fishermen. Vessels raced to catch as much as possible before quotas were met, flooding markets with product, reducing profitability, and encouraging unsafe fishing practices.

In 1990, the Mid-Atlantic Council implemented the nation's first Individual Transferable Quota program-also known as a catch share system -for surfclams and ocean quahogs. Under the program, fishermen receive a share of the annual quota that they can harvest, lease, or sell. The system allows fishermen greater flexibility in deciding when and how to fish while keeping total harvest within scientifically-established limits.

Supporters of catch share programs highlight improvements in safety, efficiency, profitability, and long-term business stability. By reducing competitive pressure, fishermen can operate in safer conditions and better match supply with market demand. However, critics have raised concerns that quota ownership can consolidate over time, potentially making it harder for smaller operators or new fishermen to enter the fishery. The council plans to work with the industry over the next several years to address these concerns.

Today, catch share systems are used in nearly every U.S. fishery region. The surfclam and ocean quahog program helped demonstrate how science-based catch limits and industry flexibility could work together to support both conservation and economic stability.

NOAA and partners conduct Atlantic surfclam research

An Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management

As scientists and managers learned more about how species and their habitats are connected, the Mid-Atlantic Council has worked to transition beyond managing fisheries one species at a time. They are moving toward an approach that manages fisheries within a broader ecosystem context.

In 2015, the Council became the first in the nation to exercise new authority -granted under the Magnuson-Stevens Act-to protect deep-sea coral habitat from fishing impacts. Using NOAA coral exploration data , the Council designated more than 41,000 square miles of federal waters as the Frank R. Lautenberg Deep-Sea Coral Protection Area . The specific boundaries of the deep-sea coral protection area were developed cooperatively by members of the Council's advisory panels, deep-sea coral experts, fishing industry members, and other stakeholders, resulting in a broad consensus. The protections limit the use of bottom-tending fishing gear in sensitive coral habitats that support marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.

In 2016, the Council expanded its ecosystem approach by designating more than 50 unmanaged forage species as "ecosystem components." This allows them to establish possession and landing limits to prevent new directed fisheries for those species in the region. Forage species-which tend to be small, short-lived fish and invertebrate species-play a critical role in the marine food web. They are prey for larger fish, seabirds, marine mammals, and other predators. Previously, many forage species were not actively managed or monitored. The Council's Forage Amendment took steps to protect these species and the broader ecosystem as scientists continue to work to improve our understanding of their role in ecosystem health. Together, these efforts are part of a shift toward managing fisheries as interconnected parts to a whole, rather than focusing on individual species.

Learn more about the Council's ecosystem approach to fisheries management

Looking Ahead

The Mid-Atlantic region continues to face new challenges linked to shifting ocean conditions, evolving fisheries practices, and the economic realities facing fishing communities. To adapt, NOAA Fisheries, the Council, and regional partners are working together to:

One recent project partnered with the F/V Seacapture and TeemFish to collect video-based length data for golden tilefish , a species that is difficult to monitor through traditional surveys. The project has already generated more than 7,000 length estimates to support future stock assessments.

"The next 50 years of fisheries management will certainly look different from the last 50. New technologies, changing ocean conditions, and evolving fisheries will require us to continue to learn and adapt. The Mid-Atlantic Council is well positioned for that future as innovation and collaboration have always been at the core of how we approach our work. These principles will be critical as we prepare for and address the challenges and opportunities ahead." - Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Looking ahead, long-term science, habitat protections, and collaboration will remain central to sustaining fisheries for future generations in the Mid-Atlantic.