This agreement has provided funding support for the base program activities and specific projects of the commission s interstate fisheries management program (isfmp), fisheries science program,…

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) a $200,000 Sport Fish Restoration formula grant (CFDA 15.605) on July 15, 2025, with performance completion by June 30, 2026. This award provides funding to support the Commission's Interstate Fisheries Management Program (ISFMP), Fisheries Science Program, Habitat Program, and the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP). These programs collectively administer the interstate compact among 15 Atlantic coastal states for conservation and management of migratory Atlantic coastal sport fishery resources.

Under this funding, ASMFC delivers comprehensive products and services including fisheries management coordination, recreational fisheries research and data collection, habitat conservation initiatives, and scientific advisory services to support evidence-based fisheries management decisions. The Commission facilitates collaborative problem-solving across management, science, and habitat restoration domains to address resource restoration issues affecting recreational finfish species of national significance. Additionally, ASMFC coordinates with states bordering the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean through partner commissions and collaborates with national organizations including the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies to advance sound recreational fisheries management practices across the Atlantic coast.

This agreement has provided funding support for the base program activities and specific projects of the commission s interstate fisheries management program (isfmp), fisheries science program, habitat program, and the atlantic coastal fish habitat partnership (acfhp). The purpose of the programs are, in part, to aid in the administration of the interstate compact among the 15 atlantic coast states for the conservation and management of migratory atlantic coastal sport fishery resources. A goal of the program is to provide healthy, abundant fishery resources to support better fishing opportunities for the angling and boating public. In addition to management of sport fishery resource and habitat conservation, the program also consists of the recreational fisheries portion of its coordinated fisheries research activities. The interstate fisheries management program, fisheries science program, habitat program, and atlantic coastal fish habitat partnership provide opportunities to address issues limiting restoration of healthy populations of finfish species of recreational importance. The programs also provide a mechanism for interaction among national organizations on issues relevant to recreational fisheries of the atlantic coast. All three areas - management, science, and habitat - provide opportunities to address issues that often have national significance relating to management of important natural resources. The commission also coordinates data collection and research activities on recreational fisheries, with the ultimate goal of providing sound, actionable scientific advice to improve the effectiveness of fisheries management decisions. The commission coordinates many of the activities with states bordering the gulf of mexico and the pacific ocean through the gulf states and pacific states marine fisheries commissions. The commission participates with a variety of organizations in these regards, including the association of fish and wildlife agencies, the national fish habitat partnership board, the office of partnerships and communication and office of habitat conservation of the national marine fisheries service, and various offices of the U.S. Fish and wildlife service. The commission receives guidance for such interactions from its member states through direct communication with state natural resource agency directors and the committee structure of the commission. Issues related to recreational fisheries resources are debated, and policies established and updated, through the commission s boards and committees as necessary. This structure allows the commission to facilitate debate among its members and various constituents on issues of common interest. Such discussion assists in formulation of coast wide policy on many important issues.