One of the most innovative aspects of the Magnuson-Stevens Act was the establishment of eight regional councils to manage fisheries. Across the country, regional councils are tackling their own unique challenges, each shaped by their local coastal communities and united under a shared framework. In celebration of 50 years of the Act, we’re presenting this eight-part series to highlight the landmark work of each region.
One of New England’s most iconic sights: Rain or shine, fishing boats slipping out of the harbor at dawn, just as they have for generations. The centuries-old scene feels timeless. But the industry behind it isn’t sustained by tradition alone; it endures because of science-based management.
At the center of that management are the public-private partnerships between fishermen, scientists, the New England Fishery Management Council, and NOAA Fisheries. Their cooperative efforts drove some of our nation’s earliest fisheries management successes. In 2001, the Atlantic sea scallop stock—once severely depleted—was the first in the United States declared rebuilt. It is now a key driver of New Bedford, Massachusetts’ 23-year run as the nation’s top port for fisheries catch value.
Then and Now: From Uncertainty to Shared Stewardship
Fishing has always been central to New England’s identity. But concern over declining stocks dates as far back as the 1800s. By the 1970s, the reality of that concern had become urgent. Nets were coming up lighter, once-reliable fishing grounds became unpredictable, and coastal communities were facing growing uncertainty. Rising demand, advanced harvesting technologies, and pressure from foreign fleets had depleted iconic fisheries such as Atlantic cod, pollock, and haddock.
The Magnuson-Stevens Act marked a turning point in how the United States manages ocean resources in New England and nationwide. It created a system rooted in science and shared responsibility. It guaranteed the people closest to the resource—local fishermen, scientists, conservationists, industry representatives, and state officials—would help manage it.
Today, the New England Fishery Management Council oversees nine fishery management plans covering 29 species, balancing the needs of interconnected fisheries, complex ecosystems, and coastal communities. These plans are designed to support sustainable, long-term harvesting, but reaching that point can require rebuilding efforts. Through a public process, Council members develop and vote on management measures that consider tradeoffs before sending recommendations to NOAA for approval and implementation.
Northeast Groundfish
The New England Fishery Management Council’s Northeast Multispecies Management Plan covers 13 commercial groundfish species like cod, pollock, and haddock. Since 1986, the Plan has used a mix of sustainable management tools, including area closures and a system of sector-based catch share. The Plan has adapted alongside emerging science and policy, including updates after the 1996 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Better science means better management. Our constant pursuit to improve our data has led to closer collaboration between scientists and fishermen. Fishermen bring firsthand knowledge from the water to the table, helping improve the science that guides decision making.
"We rely on the expertise of captains and crew in our region to get a more complete picture of fisheries and marine ecosystems. Many cooperative research projects start with fishermen sharing their observations and concerns. We work with industry members to develop research projects that address scientific uncertainties and harness the knowledge and expertise of the fleet." — Anna Mercer, Cooperative Research Branch Chief
Programs like the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Cooperative Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey and Study Fleet demonstrate how industry participation strengthens stock assessments and improves data quality. For example, in light of advancements in our understanding of Atlantic cod populations, stock assessment scientists teamed up with members of New England’s recreational for-hire fleet to fill newly discovered data gaps.
More on how scientists and the fishing industry join forces for better data and management
"The RecBio cooperative research initiative paired fishermen like me with scientists directly engaged in the stock assessments of Atlantic cod. We worked together to figure out a way to collect the important biological data needed for a new cod assessment." — Captain Rick Bellavance, former chair of the New England Fishery Management Council and co-founder of RecBio
Years of sustained collaboration have led to measurable results on the water. Several Northeast groundfish stocks—including haddock and Acadian redfish—are rebuilt or are showing strong landings in recent years. Other stocks are benefitting from more accurate assessments and responsive catch limits, even as challenges remain. It’s a reminder that hard work pays off, and progress is possible when industry, scientists, and managers work toward the same goal.
Atlantic Sea Scallops
In 1994, the Council and NOAA Fisheries closed harvest areas on Georges Bank and Nantucket shoals to rebuild collapsing groundfish stocks. Those closures also protected overfished Atlantic sea scallops inside those areas. With less fishing pressure and scallop’s fast growth rate, populations rebounded in just a few years. Managers then took a measured approach to reopening the fishery—allowing limited harvest in some areas while keeping others closed so scallops could grow and reproduce. Their approach evolved into today’s harvest rotation system, where the Council closes areas with large concentrations of fast-growing, small scallops before they are exposed to fishing.
"Scallops grow at about 25 percent per year. So if you had a bank account and you were making 25 percent interest on it, you would not withdraw the principal, you would leave it in there. It’s just a balancing act of building up enough so you can live off the interest." — Togue Brawn, Council Member and owner of Maine's Downeast Dayboat
Management measures like these are not an easy process. Rebuilding takes time, and fishermen make sacrifices—often with no immediate payoff. But as stocks are rebuilt, confidence in the system grows, and rebuilding plans reflect stronger industry input. Today, the Atlantic scallop fishery is one of the most valuable in the country with 27.4 million pounds landed in 2023 worth $360 million.
The Scallop Research Set-Aside Program is another example of collaboration that is unique to the Greater Atlantic region. Through specifications in their fishery management plans, the New England Council reserves a portion of sea scallop harvest quotas for collaborative research. NOAA’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office then runs a grant competition where researchers partner with fishermen to harvest that set-aside catch. When the catch is sold, the revenue is used to fund research for the fishery. The work is part of a continued shift toward strengthening cooperative research and engaging industry in the scientific process.
Charting the Next Chapter
Today’s Councils carry forward a shared commitment to adaptation. They’re developing new technologies, seeking better data, and implementing new management tools that reflect the reality on the water as much as the data in the scientific model. That system is what sets Councils apart, and is widely recognized as a global model for sustainability. It’s no small task, but the shared goals remain: support coastal communities, reduce our reliance on imports, and strengthen U.S. seafood competitiveness while keeping fisheries sustainable.
"The New England Council should be commended for these regional successes and its commitment to address the important challenges that remain, as the real value of the Council process is the ability for scientists, policy-makers, fishermen, and others to work together to provide healthy, sustainable seafood and recreational fishing opportunities for the American people." — Mike Pentony, Regional Administrator for the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Fifty years after the Magnuson-Stevens Act passed, New England’s waters tell a story of rebuilding, innovation, and shared responsibility. It’s proof that with the right tools and strong partnerships, fisheries—and the communities that depend on them—can thrive. And as boats leave the harbor at dawn, they do so with confidence in their catch today, and far into the future.
