Management Flexibility Omnibus Amendment
This omnibus action increases management flexibility and consistency across six Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) and applies to the management of 27 species including:
Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish)
Small-Mesh Multispecies (Whiting)
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Monkfish (in joint management with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council)
Atlantic Herring
Northeast Skate Complex
Red Crab
This action will help the Council respond to changing regional resources and capacity and better support scientific updates and regulatory processes. Increased flexibility can prevent fishery delays, improve planning, allow for a faster response to new information, and make better use of Council resources. Specifically, it allows for changes to the specifications process, in-season adjustment authority, and preparation of Council reports and reviews. This work is supported by the Council’s Holistic Strategic Plan and is administrative in nature. It complies with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and helps the Council meet Executive Order 14276.
Background: This action was approved by the New England Council at the September 2025 meeting and by the Mid-Atlantic Council (MAFMC) at their October 2025 meeting. A preliminary submission was sent to GARFO on November 6, 2025, and a final submission on February 4, 2026.
Documents: Read the full plan here.