Monkfish - Management Plans - NEFMC

Monkfish - Management Plans - NEFMC
Monkfish Plan Overview
During the early 1990s fishermen and dealers in the monkfish fishery addressed both the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils with concerns about the increasing amount of small fish being landed, more gear conflicts between monkfish vessels and those in other fisheries, and an expanding directed trawl fishery. In response, the Councils developed a joint fishery management plan that took effect in November 1999. The FMP was designed to stop overfishing and rebuild the stocks through a number of measures, including limiting the number of vessels with access to the fishery, allocating days-at-sea to those vessels, and setting trip limits. Today, the monkfish resource is neither overfished nor has overfishing occurring.
Related News, Press Releases, and Announcements
Council Discontinues Skate Wing and Monkfish IFQ Scoping; Approves Schedule for Listening Sessions
NEFMC Acts on Monkfish, Scallops, Cod; Updates Key Habitat Protections
NEFMC Seeks Applicants for 2026-2028 Fishery Advisory Panels
Council Receives Skate, Whiting, and Monkfish Monitoring Reports, Discusses Path Forward; Reviews Monkfish RSA Status
Council Takes Final Action on Joint Monkfish/Dogfish/Sturgeon Framework; Posts 2024 Monkfish RSA Project Summaries
Council Receives Update on Joint Action to Reduce Sturgeon Bycatch in Monkfish and Spiny Dogfish Gillnet Fisheries
Council Seeks Applicants to Fill 2024-2025 Advisory Panel Seats for Whiting, Skates, Monkfish, GAP/RAP, Herring, and Scallops
Council Approves Monkfish RSA Working Group Final Report and Range of Monkfish/Spiny Dogfish Alternatives for Sturgeon
Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program Supports Two 2023-2024 Projects; Both Address a Top Research Priority
April 2023 Council Meeting Highlights: Monkfish, Skates, EBFM, Sturgeon, Gear Conflict Working Group, Risk Policy, and More
Monkfish: Council Takes Final Action on Fishing Year 2023-2025 Specifications and Measures; Revises Research Set-Aside Priorities
Council Receives Final Monkfish Fishery Performance Report and Framework 13 Update; Hears Skate Monitoring Report Recap
Council Seeks Applicants for All 2023-2025 Advisory Panels; Wide Range of Monkfish, Groundfish, Rec Fishermen Needed
Monkfish: Council Initiates Framework 13 with Fishing Year 2023-2025 Specifications and Other Management Measures
Monkfish: Council Receives Report on Estimating Discards for TAL Calculations; Directs Committee to Consider Next Steps
2020-2021 Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program Supports Novel Tagging, Image Analysis Projects
Monkfish: Council Approves 2020-2022 Fishery Specifications
2020-2021 Monkfish RSA Competition Underway; September 29, 2019 Deadline for Project Proposals
New England Joins Mid-Atlantic to Require eVTRs for Vessels with Federal Commercial Permits for Council-Managed Species
NEFMC Seeks Applicants for Fishery Advisory Panels
Council Initiates Monkfish and Skate Specifications; Approves Monkfish RSA Priorities; Discusses Skate Limited Access Steps
Council Hosts Offshore Wind Special Session; Discusses EBFM, Commercial eVTRs, and RSA Program Review
Council Seeks Input From Fishermen and Research Partners on RSA Programs; Take the Online Survey!
2018-2019 Monkfish RSA Awards Aim to Improve Species Biology and Reduce Skate Bycatch
Monkfish RSA Program: 2018-2019 Research Proposals Wanted; Applications Due by December 21, 2017
NEFMC Adopts Monkfish RSA Priorities; Shelves Amendment 6
Monkfish Specifications Expected to Rise in FY 2017-2019
Committee to Continue Working on Three-Year Monkfish Specs
Upcoming Meetings
Apr. 27, 2026 Listening Session For Monkfish and Skate Fisheries
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Apr. 29, 2026 Listening Session For Monkfish and Skate Fisheries
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Apr. 30, 2026 Listening Session For Monkfish and Skate Fisheries
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May 5, 2026 Listening Session For Monkfish and Skate Fisheries
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May 11, 2026 Listening Session For Monkfish and Skate Fisheries
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May 21, 2026 Advisory Panels - Input on Vessel Baseline Restrictions Evaluation
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May 21, 2026 Advisory Panels - Input on Vessel Baseline Restrictions Evaluation
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May 26, 2026 Advisory Panels - Input on Vessel Baseline Restrictions Evaluation
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Past Meetings
Mar. 19, 2026 Joint Monkfish Advisory Panel and Committee and Skate Advisory Panel and Committee Webinar
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Feb. 2, 2026 Joint Monkfish and Skate Plan Development Team Webinar
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Browse Past Meeting Information
Plan Amendments, Frameworks, and Specifications
Download Original Plan (PDF)
Plan Amendments
Under Development
Monkfish Amendment 9
June 24, 2025
This omnibus amendment would increase management flexibility and consistency for this FMP along with management of 27 species in six FMPs.
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Monkfish Amendment 8
June 25, 2021
This Amendment is part of the Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment.
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Monkfish Amendment 7
June 30, 2015
This action establishes standards of precision for bycatch estimation for all Northeast Region fisheries.
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Monkfish Amendment 6
December 1, 2010
Amendment 6 to the Monkfish FMP was initiated so that the Councils could consider developing a catch share program for this fishery and modify the Day-At-Sea system. Scoping occurred from December 2010 to February 2011. The Councils were developing alternatives through 2014 but decided to withdraw this amendment.
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Monkfish Amendment 5
March 25, 2011
Amendment 5 to brings the FMP into compliance with the annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measure (AM) requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). This rule establishes the mechanisms for specifying ACLs and AMs and sets the annual catch target (ACT) and associated measures for days-at-sea (DAS) and trip limits for the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA). NMFS disapproved the proposed ACT, and associated measures, for the Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA) on the grounds that they are not consistent with the most recent scientific advice. This final rule implements three additional Amendment 5 management measures to promote efficiency and reduce waste, brings the biological and management reference points in the Monkfish FMP into compliance with recently revised National Standard 1 (NS1) Guidelines, and makes one correction to the monkfish weight conversion factors.
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Monkfish Amendment 4
April 9, 2018
This action implements approved regulations for the New England Fishery Management Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2.
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Monkfish Amendment 3
February 27, 2008
The measures include: Bycatch reporting and monitoring mechanisms; analytical techniques and allocation of at-sea fisheries observers; an SBRM performance standard; a review and reporting process; framework adjustment and annual specifications provisions; a prioritization process; and provisions for industry-funded observers and observer set-aside programs
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Monkfish Amendment 2
May 1, 2005
Amendment 2 was developed to address essential fish habitat (EFH) and bycatch issues, and to revise the FMP to address several issues raised during the public scoping process.
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Monkfish Amendment 1
April 21, 1999
Omnibus Habitat Amendment 1 (OHA1) was prepared by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) to implement the essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as reauthorized in 1996.
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Framework Adjustments/Specifications
Under Development
Monkfish Framework 18
April 15, 2025
This Framework is part of the 2025 Essential Fish Habitat Framework.
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Under Development
Monkfish Framework 17
April 16, 2025
This framework will set specifications for fishing years 2026-2028, including consideration of changes in days-at-sea and possession limits.
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Monkfish Framework 16
June 27, 2024
UPDATE: On June 27, 2024, the New England Fishery Management Council voted to “discontinue development” of the Northern Edge framework, citing the following rationale.
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Monkfish Framework 15
December 18, 2024
This joint framework action, which is being developed in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, would establish measures to reduce bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in the monkfish and spiny dogfish large-mesh gillnet fisheries.
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Monkfish Framework 14
February 5, 2024
This omnibus action establishes a new Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) in Southern New England through framework adjustments to the groundfish, scallop, monkfish, skate, and Atlantic herring plans.
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Monkfish Framework 13
August 11, 2023
This action contains monkfish specifications for fishing years 2023-2025 and other management measures.
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Monkfish Framework 12
September 17, 2020
This action contains monkfish specifications for fishing years 2020-2022.
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Monkfish Framework 11
May 19, 2020
Omnibus Clam Dredge Framework
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Monkfish Framework 10
May 5, 2017
This action sets monkfish specifications for fishing years 2017–2019 (May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2020). It also increases current days-at-sea allocations and trip limits. This action is intended to allow the fishery to more effectively harvest its optimum yield.
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Monkfish Framework 9
February 26, 2016
This action is necessary to better achieve the goals and objectives of the management plan and achieve optimum yield. It is intended to increase monkfish landings by enhancing the operational and economic efficiency of existing management measures.
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Monkfish Framework 8
July 18, 2014
This action increases monkfish day-at sea allocations and landing limits, allows vessels issued a limited access monkfish Category H permit to fish throughout the Southern Fishery Management Area, and enables vessels to use an allocated monkfish-only day at-sea at any time throughout the fishing year.
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Monkfish Framework 7
October 26, 2011
Framework Adjustment 7 developed to adjust the annual catch target for the Northern Fishery Management Area to be consistent with the most recent scientific advice regarding the acceptable biological catch for monkfish.
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Monkfish Framework 6
October 10, 2008
This action eliminates the backstop provision adopted in Framework Adjustment 4 (Framework 4) to the FMP, which was implemented in October 2007.
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Monkfish Framework 5
May 1, 2008
This action approves and implements revised biological reference points in the FMP to be consistent with the recommendations resulting from the most recent stock assessment for this fishery (Northeast Data Poor Stocks Working Group (DPWG, July 2007)), and approves and implements revised management measures to ensure that the monkfish management program succeeds in keeping landings within the target total allowable catch (TAC) levels.
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Monkfish Framework 4
October 22, 2007
This framework eliminates the control rule for determining management measures established by Framework Adjustment 2 to the FMP, and establishes target total allowable catch (TAC) levels, trip limits, and days-at-sea (DAS) allocations for the final 3 years of the monkfish rebuilding plan.
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Monkfish Framework 3
November 22, 2006
FW 42, is a biennial adjustment to the NE Multispecies FMP that sets forth a rebuilding program for Georges Bank (GB) yellowtail flounder and modifies NE multispecies fishery management measures to reduce fishing mortality rates (F) on six other groundfish stocks in order to maintain compliance with the rebuilding programs of the FMP.
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Monkfish Framework 2
May 7, 2004
NMFS implements measures to establish target total allowable catch (TAC) levels for the monkfish fishery for the 2004 fishing year (FY), and adjust trip limits and days-at-sea (DAS) for limited access monkfish vessels fishing in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA) based upon the target TAC setting and trip limit and DAS adjustment methods established in Framework Adjustment 2 (Framework 2) to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
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Monkfish Framework 1
June 18, 1999
NMFS notifies the public that it has disapproved proposed Framework 1 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). NMFS is issuing this emergency interim rule to amend temporarily the monkfish fishing mortality rate (F) criteria in the FMP to be consistent with those recommended by the most recent stock assessment (SAW 34; January 2002). This emergency rule also implements the management measures that were proposed in Framework 1 to the FMP because, with the amendment of the F criteria in the FMP, these measures are consistent with the best available scientific information. The intended effect of this rule is to suspend temporarily the restrictive Year 4 default management measures that became effective May 1, 2002, and to implement management measures for the monkfish fishery based on the best scientific information.
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Quick Links
Act Now to Participate in 2024 Monkfish Research Set-Aside Projects
Monkfish SAFE Report
Monkfish Research Set-Aside Working Group
Omnibus Commercial eVTR Framework
Monkfish Information from NOAA Fisheries - Find status of the stock, regulations, recent science, quota monitoring news, and more
Advisory Panel Information
Meeting Summaries
Mar. 19, 2026 Joint Skate and Monkfish Advisory Panel and Committee Meeting Summary
Sep. 17, 2025 Joint Skate and Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Sep. 16, 2025 Joint Skate and Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Mar. 20, 2025 Joint Skate and Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Mar. 19, 2025 Joint Skate and Monkfish Advisory Panels Meeting Summary
Sep. 9, 2024 Joint Monkfish Committee and Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Mar. 13, 2024 Joint Monkfish and Dogfish Committees Meeting Summary
Mar. 5, 2024 Joint Monkfish and Dogfish Advisory Panels Meeting Summary
Sep. 13, 2023 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Aug. 31, 2023 Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
May 17, 2023 Joint Monkfish and Dogfish Committee Meeting Summary
May 16, 2023 Joint Monkfish and Dogfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Jan. 23, 2023 Joint Monkfish Committee and Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Nov. 29, 2022 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Nov. 28 Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Aug. 30, 2022 Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Aug. 30, 2022 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
May 26, 2022 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
May 4, 2022 Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
March 24, 2022 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Sep. 9, 2021 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Sep. 17, 2020 Joint Monkfish Committee and Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Sep. 18, 2019 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Sep. 18, 2019 Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
May 24, 2017 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
May 23, 2017 Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Nov. 14, 2016 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Oct. 18, 2016 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Oct. 12, 2016 Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
Sept. 1, 2016 Monkfish Committee Meeting
Aug. 17, 2016 Monkfish Advisory Panel Meeting Summary
May 26, 2015 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
Apr. 7, 2014 Monkfish Committee Meeting Summary
August 25, 2014 Joint Monkfish Meeting Summary
January 2011 Monkfish Committee Report
Committee & Advisory Panels
Decisions related to this plan are largely the product of ongoing meetings and collaboration between oversight committees and their advisory panels:
Monkfish Committee
Members
NEFMC
Matt Gates (Chair)
Terry Alexander
Eric Hansen
Dan McKiernan (Kelly Whitmore)
Scott Olszewski
John Pappalardo
Ted Platz
Pete Christopher (GARFO)
MAFMC
Robert Ruhle, Vice Chair
Laurie Nolan
Paul Risi
Jake Wiscott
Lisa Wooleyhan
Monkfish Advisory Panel
Members
Greg Mataronas (Chair)
Aubrey Church (Vice Chair)
Bonnie Brady
Sean Connors
Josiah Dodge
James Dopkin
Patrick Duckworth
Tim Froelich
Christopher Rainone
Robert Roberge
Liam Sullivan
Questions or Comments?
Jennifer Couture
jcouture@nefmc.org
(978) 465-0492 Ext. 111
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