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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

More Information

Actions

Under Development Implemented Actions

Framework Adjustment 13 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries has published a proposed rule for Framework 13 to the Monkfish FMP that proposes specifications for fishing years 2023 - 2025, adjustments to the annual days-at-sea allocation and an increase the minimum mesh size for gillnet vessels.
Proposed Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Published
04/26/2023

Final Rule to Implement 2022 Monkfish Fishing Year Quotas

NOAA Fisheries is implementing monkfish quotas for the 2022 fishing year based on specifications approved by the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils and announced on September 2020.
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2022

Final Rule to Implement 2021 Monkfish Fishing Year Quotas

2021 monkfish specifications, 2021 monkfish quotas
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2021

Framework Adjustment 12 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan

2021-2022 monkfish specifications
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
10/19/2020

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 allowable
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
05/01/2019

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

NOAA Fisheries closes Nantucket Lightship and Closed Area I Closure Areas to gillnet gear.
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
12/17/2018

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 h
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 habit
Final Rule
,
New England
Mid-Atlantic
Effective
04/09/2018

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on 01/03/2023