You’ll typically see a news brief write-up about a Galloway fisheries meeting related to the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council. However, before the volunteers on the state fisheries board can sort through the fish scraps, it’s up to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) to divvy things up along the coast.
This week, MAFMC is also meeting in Galloway, the one meeting this year when representatives from many different Mid-Atlantic States gather here in the Garden State. Meeting sessions will be held daily from Tuesday, April 8 through Thursday, April 10 at the Seaview Dolce Hotel at 401 South New York Road in Galloway, and it is open to the public.
A couple of important discussions for saltwater anglers will take place on Wednesday, with Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda starting at 9 a.m. to review public comments collected during the winter months on the Percent Change Approach implemented through the Harvest Control Rule Framework. During this Wednesday morning session that MAFMC will review comments, staff recommendations and Advisory Panel input before considering final action.
Following a break for lunch on Wednesday, the MAFMC will then take up consideration of the Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment by reviewing public scoping comments and reviewing both technical and Advisory Panel input before discussion the next steps. That discussion is slated to begin at 1 p.m.
The full agenda for this week’s meeting is as follows:
Tuesday, April 8th
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. 2025 Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. 2025 Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Risk
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) 5-Year Review
Wednesday, April 9th
9 a.m. Council convenes with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Policy Board
9 a.m. – noon Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda
Noon– 1 p.m. (Lunch Break)
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment
3 p.m. ASMFC Policy Board adjourns
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Gear Marking / On-Demand Gear Framework
4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Council Awards Presentation
Presentation of the 2024 Ricks E Savage Award and the 2025 James A. Ruhle Cooperative Research Award
Thursday, April 10th
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Business Session
This week’s meeting will also be conducted on the Webex meeting platform (no pre-registration is required.) Click here to join the webinar (if prompted, enter Meeting number (access code): 2344 212 5895; Meeting password: k2ViV9Ffxj3). To join by phone only, dial 415-655-0001 and enter the access code above.
For more information go to MAFMC.org.
