The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976, as amended, provides the United States with exclusive management authority over fisheries, except for highly migratory species of tuna, within a fishery conservation zone of 3 to 200 miles offshore. The law was enacted to insure sound fishery conservation and management measures for both domestic and foreign fisheries. Eight regional fishery management councils were established to serve as planning units to carry out provisions of the Act. Each Council is directed to prepare fishery management plans for implementation by the Secretary of Commerce.
The Mid-Atlantic Council consists of representatives from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. The Council consists of 25 members (21 voting, 4 non-voting), representing State and Federal agencies and the public. The voting members are the Regional Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service, a State fisheries official from each State, and thirteen public members nominated by the State Governors and selected by the Secretary of Commerce.