U.S. Regional Fishery Management Councils

The regional councils recommend management measures for fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); which are subject to approval and implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

The councils were established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1976.

In 1996, revisions to the laws governing the regional fishery management councils were made by the Sustainable Fisheries Act, which includes provisions to reduce bycatch, consider the effects of management decisions on communities, and protect essential fish habitats.

Additionally, councils have at-large and obligatory members selected by state governors to represent non-government stakeholders and special interests such as commercial fishermen, fisheries scientists, and charter boat owners.

[2] The Monkfish and Spiny Dogfish fisheries management plans are actually a collaborative effort between the Mid-Atlantic and New England councils.

A map of the area managed by each U.S. Regional Fisheries Management Councils. This map excludes the Mariana Islands archipelago, American Samoa, and a range of remote island areas in the central and western Pacific which are under the jurisdiction of the Western Pacific Council.