- North Pacific Council
- Pacific Council
- Western Pacific Council
- New England Council
- Mid-Atlantic Council
- South Atlantic Council
- Caribbean Council
- Gulf Of Mexico Council
- Council Contacts
Managing our Nation's Fisheries: Past, Present, and Future
Proceedings of the Conference on Fisheries Management in the Untied States, held
by the Regional Fishery Management Councils
Current: The Journal of Marine Education Full Print Journal.
Welcome to the U.S. Regional Fishery Management
Council’s webpage.
The Regional Council system was designed to allow regional, participatory
governance by knowledgeable people with a stake in fishery management. The eight Regional Councils develop management plans
for marine fisheries in waters seaward of state waters of their individual
regions. Plans and specific management measures (such as fishing
seasons, quotas, and closed areas) are developed based on sound scientific advice,
and are initiated, evaluated, and ultimately
are adopted in a fully transparent and public process. These plans and measures
are implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Please visit individual regional council websites for
more information about specific programs:
NPFMC;
PFMC;
WPFMC;
NEFMC;
MAFMC; SAFMC;
CFMC;
GMFMC.
Council News
The third Managing Our Nation’s Fisheries conference was held May, 7-9, 2013 in Washington, D.C. The conference was convened by the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The conference followed up on the highly successful Managing Our Nation's Fisheries conferences held in 2003 and 2005. Full conference proceedings are being prepared for release later in 2013. Press release: Successful MONF Conference Brings Together Diverse Voices
Spatial Planning Flyer
May 2010 CCC Meeting in Anchorage
2013 Council Coordination Committee was hosted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council in conjunction with the Managing Our Nations Fishery 3 conference in Washington D.C., also hosted by the Pacific Council. The CCC met May 6, 9, and 10, 2013 at the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel. Meeting Agenda and materials here.
2012 Council Coordination Committee met on the Big Island of Hawaii in during the week of Monday April 30th to Friday May 4th at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Resort. Meeting Agenda; Correspondence; Minutes; Recommendations; Summary
2012 Council Coordination Committee (CCC) met February 20-21, 2012 in the DC Metro area, and May 1-3 on the Island of Hawaii. The CCC, which consists of the Chairs, Vice Chairs and Executive Directors of the 8 regional fishery management councils, met with NMFS leadership to discuss issues of joint concern, such as budgets, annual catch limits, ecosystem-based management, catch shares, marine spatial planning and MPAs, outreach activities, and other issues. Read the report from the May meeting here. Correspondence resulting from the meeting available here.
2011 Council Coordination Committee met in Charleston South Carolina, May 3-5 2011. Meeting Agenda
2011 National SSC Workshop, Williamsburg, VA October 4, 5 and 6 Agenda; Final Report
May 2010 CCC meeting summary here.
June 2009
CCC meeting summary here.
Correspondence:
February 7, 2011 To Schwaab re: Managing Our Nation's Fisheries Conference
February 3, 2011 To National Ocean Council re: participation in Marine Spatial Planning
February 2, 2011 To Schwaab re: Regional Fishery Management Council Funding
The Regional Councils prepared a new brochure that summarizes the vast knowledge and experience the councils have with Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning. Councils have established over 1,500 individual spatial management areas through a deliberative and public process, in close coordination with other federal and state agencies with jurisdiction over marine activities. The Councils firmly believe that for coastal and marine spatial planning to be effective, the Councils must have a seat on each of the National Ocean Council’s regional planning bodies.
