Atlantic Salmon Plan Overview

The Council’s Atlantic Salmon Fishery Management Plan was implemented by the National Marine Fisheries Service on March 17, 1988, establishing explicit U.S. management authority over all Atlantic salmon of U.S. origin. Its purpose was to complement state salmon management programs in coastal and inland waters and federal management authority over salmon on the high seas, a designation conferred on the U.S. as a signatory nation to the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO). The plan prohibits the possession of Atlantic salmon and any directed or incidental (bycatch) commercial fishery for Atlantic salmon in federal waters.

The Council designated Essential Fish Habitat for Atlantic salmon in 1999 and updated the designation in 2018. Provisions that authorize conditions for possession of farm-raised Atlantic salmon in federal waters are under consideration through Framework 1. The Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic salmon is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Salmon conservation is fostered via the Atlantic Salmon Recovery Plan, which is administered by NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A recent summary of state, federal, and international Atlantic salmon management is available as Appendix A to Framework 1.

Related News, Press Releases, and Announcements

Upcoming Meetings

There are currently no upcoming meetings for Atlantic Salmon

Past Meetings

There are currently no past meetings for Atlantic Salmon

Plan Amendments, Frameworks, and Specifications

Plan Amendments

February 7, 2020
This Amendment is part of the Omnibus Industry-Funded Monitoring Amendment and Environmental Assessment.
June 30, 2015
This action establishes standards of precision for bycatch estimation for all Northeast Region fisheries.
April 9, 2018
This action implements approved regulations for the New England Fishery Management Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2.
February 27, 2008
The measures include: Bycatch reporting and monitoring mechanisms; analytical techniques and allocation of at-sea fisheries observers; an SBRM performance standard; a review and reporting process; framework adjustment and annual specifications provisions; a prioritization process; and provisions for industry-funded observers and observer set-aside programs

NMFS is implementing approved management measures contained in the Standardized Bycatch Reporting DATES: This final rule is Methodology (SBRM) Omnibus Amendment (SBRM Amendment) to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) of the Northeast Region, developed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils (Councils). The SBRM Amendment establishes an SBRM for all 13 Northeast Region FMPs, as required under the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
April 21, 1999
Omnibus Habitat Amendment 1 (OHA1) was prepared by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) to implement the essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act as reauthorized in 1996.

Framework Adjustments/Specifications

Under Development
September 28, 2022
This framework will authorize conditions for the possession and harvest of farmed-raised Atlantic salmon in the EEZ to facilitate implementation of Atlantic salmon aquaculture projects in federal waters.