The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will hold their annual meeting at the Hotel Viking in Newport, RI from November 9-12. Major topics on the full ASMFC agenda for the weeklong meetings include coastal sharks (shore-based shark fishing and use of drones) on Monday, menhaden management (2027-2029 specifications and Addendum II) on Tuesday, striped bass (recreational Fishing Effort Survey estimates and update on the 2027 Benchmark Stock Assessment on Wednesday and an Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board meeting on Thursday, part of which will be held with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) to review Sector Separation Amendment Stakeholder Workshop results.
Monday, November 9, 2026
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. — Atlantic Herring Management Board
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee
10:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. — American Lobster Management Board
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. — Lunch Break
1 – 5 p.m. — Law Enforcement Committee
1:45 – 3 p.m. — Coastal Sharks Management Board
3:15 – 5:15 p.m. — Sciaenids Management Board (croaker and drum)
6 – 7:30 p.m. — Welcome Reception
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. — Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program Coordinating Council
9 a.m. – noon — ACFHP Steering & Law Enforcement Committees (continued)
10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — Horseshoe Crab Management Board
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. — Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. — Shad and River Herring Management Board
2:45 – 5 p.m. — Atlantic Menhaden Management Board
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. — Annual Dinner
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
8 – 9:30 a.m. — Executive Committee
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Habitat Committee
9:45 a.m.– 10:45 a.m. — Commission Business Session
10:45 a.m.– 11:15 a.m. — Commissioner Photo Shoot
11:15 a.m. – noon — Spiny Dogfish Management Board
Noon – 1:30 p.m. — Captain David H. Hart Award Luncheon
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. — Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board
2:45 – 5:30 p.m.— Atlantic Menhaden Management Board (continued)
Thursday, November 12, 2026
8 a.m.– 11 a.m. — Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board
11 a.m.– 11:15 a.m. — Commission Business Session
11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. — Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board
As noted, the Council will meet jointly with the ASMFC Policy Board on Thursday, November 12, 2026, to receive a report from the Recreational Sector Separation Workshop, with the next full Council meeting to be held from December 15-17, 2026, in Annapolis, MD.
For more information on the ASMFC meeting in Rhode Island and webinar log-in details go to asmfc.org/events/2026-annual-meeting.
