The meeting will be held on February 4, 2013 beginning at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held via webinar with a listening station at the Council office. Webinar access details will be posted at: http://www.mafmc.org.

 Topics will include an increase in the recreational minimum size restrictions, and the establishment of recreational reporting for certain species of sharks. 

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

NMFS issues final specifications for the 2013 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries, as well as the 2014 summer flounder and scup fisheries. This final rule specifies allowed harvest limits for both commercial and recreational fisheries. This action prohibits federally permitted commercial fishing vessels from landing summer flounder in Delaware in 2013 due to continued quota repayment from previous years' overages.

These actions are necessary to comply with regulations implementing the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, as well as to ensure compliance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The intent of this action is to establish harvest levels and other management measures to ensure that these species are not overfished or subject to overfishing in 2013 and 2014.

Effective January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2014. 

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold public hearings on January 15, 16, and 17, 2013 to allow for public input on the potential designation of the State of Delaware's five artificial reef sites located in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as Special Management Zones (SMZs) under provisions of Amendment 9 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan.

For specific dates and times for the public hearings, click below;

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the state has extended the season for recreational black sea bass fishing, originally scheduled to close on December 31, 2012. Fishing has been extended for 59 days by emergency regulation and will remain open through February 28, 2013.
 
“Effective immediately, anglers can enjoy black sea bass into the new year,” Governor Cuomo said. “Whether you are taking advantage of fishing on a charter boat or venturing on your own through the waters off of Long Island, the beginning of the winter months will be more welcome for those of us who enjoy our great natural resources and this recreational activity.”
 

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) encompassing all waters of the Sector New York and Captain of the Port (COTP) New York Zone south of the George Washington Bridge at mile 11.0 on the Hudson River and west of the Hell Gate Railroad bridge at mile 8.2 on the East River. This action is necessary to prevent maritime traffic from interfering with spilled oil recovery operations, removal of sunken recreational vessels, debris, and cargo containers, and to ensure the safety of the response crews on scene. It will do so by prohibiting vessels from entering or remaining in the RNA unless authorized by the COTP or his Designated Representative.

This rule is effective with actual notice for purposes of enforcement from November 9, 2012 through February 1, 2013, and effective in the Code of Federal Regulations from November 21, 2012 through February 1, 2013. Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before December 7, 2012. Requests for public meetings must be received by the Coast Guard on or before December 7, 2012.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and its Visioning and Strategic Planning Working Group will hold public meetings.

he meetings will be held Monday, December 10, 2012 through Thursday, December 13, 2012. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for specific dates and times.

The meetings will be held at Pier V, 711 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202; telephone:  (410) 539-2000.

The U.S. Department of Commerce declared a federal fisheries resource disaster for New Jersey and New York, opening the door for emergency federal funding for the region's industry. Aid could include reimbursement for losses, equipment repair and replacement, restoration of ecosystems and fisheries, and job retraining, according to an announcement of the aid.

NMFS proposes specifications for the 2013 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries, and the 2014 summer flounder and scup fisheries, and provides notice of two projects that may be requesting exempted fishing permits as part of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Research Set-Aside Program. The implementing regulations for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan require NMFS to publish specifications for the upcoming fishing year for each of these species and to provide an opportunity for public comment. Furthermore, regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require that NMFS allow the public an opportunity to comment on applications for exempted fishing permits. Accordingly, in addition to proposing catch specifications, NMFS announces exempted fishing permit requests, in accordance with the fishery management plan and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Comments must be received on or before December 3, 2012.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of New Jersey (FEMA-4086-DR), dated October 30, 2012, and related determinations.

Effective Date: November 5, 2012.