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Monkfish Management Plan

New England
Mid-Atlantic

About

The commercial monkfish fishery is conducted from North Carolina to Maine primarily using trawl gear in northern waters and gillnet gear in southern waters. 

The fishery is managed using a days-at-sea and trip limit management system. There is no known directed recreational fishery for monkfish.

Implementing regulations are found at 50 CFR part 648 subpart F.  Find out more about Managing Sustainable Fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region.

Species Managed

Monkfish

More Information

Actions

Current Recently Finalized Historical Actions

Framework Adjustment 12 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries is implementing Framework Adjustment 12 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan, including the 2020 annual catch limits and total allowable landings limits for both the Northern and Southern Fishery Management Areas. We are also…
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
10/19/2020

Final Action to Close Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Closure Areas to Gillnet Gear

On October 28, 2019, Federal District Court Judge James E. Boasberg issued an Order and Opinion on a lawsuit challenging a portion of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2. The Order prohibits NOAA…
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
12/17/2018

Monkfish Fishery: 2019 Specifications

We are implementing specifications for the 2019 monkfish fishery. This action is necessary to ensure allowable monkfish harvest levels that will prevent overfishing and allow harvesting of optimum yield. This action is intended to establish the…
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2019

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States: Monkfish Fishery; 2018 Monkfish Specifications

We are implementing specifications for the 2018 monkfish fishery, including total allowable landings limits, trip limits, and day-at-sea limits. This action is necessary to ensure allowable monkfish harvest levels that will prevent overfishing and allow…
Final Rule
Effective
06/04/2018

Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2

This action implements approved regulations for the New England Fishery Management Council's Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2. This rule revises essential fish habitat and habitat area of particular concern designations, revises or creates…
Final Rule
Effective
04/09/2018

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on 12/14/2020