Fishery Management Plans

Adaptation and Resilience Fishery Management Plan (FMP) Workgroup

New! Workgroup Meeting 3, September 2026
The Adaptation and Resilience FMP Workgroup held its third meeting on September 16, 2026. Information on the meeting is available in the Meeting 3 Summary document, which includes the presentation and discussion notes.

Workgroup Meeting 2, July 2026:
The Adaptation and Resilience FMP Workgroup held its second meeting on July 30, 2026. Information on the meeting is available in the Meeting 2 Summary document, which includes the presentation and discussion notes.

Workgroup Meeting 1, June 2026:
The Adaptation and Resilience FMP Workgroup held its first meeting on June 23, 2026. Information on the meeting is available in the Meeting 1 Summary document and the Meeting 1 Presentation Slides.

If you have questions or feedback, contact Amanda Malagari at [email protected].

Developing a Climate-Resilient Fishery Management Plan for State-Managed Fisheries

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (department) has been awarded a Climate Resilient Fisheries Engagement Grant by Blue Convergence Fund. In the coming years, the department will develop a climate resilient fishery management plan (FMP) for state-managed fisheries.

Environmental change, especially when driven by climate change, poses both challenges and opportunities for Maryland’s nontidal and tidal ecosystems, recreational and commercial fishing communities, and fisheries management systems. The Mid-Atlantic region is already experiencing warmer temperatures, sea level rise, fluctuations in precipitation, and ocean acidification. It is the department’s responsibility to work proactively and develop a framework for utilizing adaptation and resilience strategies to manage fisheries.

The purpose of this project is to connect interested and impacted parties in Maryland fisheries to 1) exchange existing climate and fisheries data and industry knowledge, and 2) collaboratively develop a climate resilient FMP for state-managed fisheries. The FMP will enable the department to prepare for and respond to environmental and climate change, thus ensuring continued, equitable access to fishing resources for all users.

The department formed a workgroup to assist with the development of the FMP. The workgroup is an essential forum for exchanging knowledge, identifying climate-driven challenges and opportunities, and developing the FMP’s goals and objectives. Workgroup membership represents diverse forms of knowledge including science, management, industry, and culture.

Helpful Resources:

The Blue Convergence Fund website has more information about our project Developing a Climate Resilient Fishery Management Plan for Maryland State-Managed Fisheries and their Climate Resilient Fisheries Program.
The department’s Climate Resilience website has information on the department’s projects and resources, including the Climate-Ready Fisheries Planning Menu.

What is a Fishery Management Plan?

A Fishery Management Plan (FMP) serves as a framework for conserving and wisely using fishery resources. An FMP provides a format for undertaking management measures throughout Maryland state waters. In addition, FMPs allow the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR or Department) to specifically address issues that are unique to Maryland resources. The goal of an FMP is to protect the resource while allowing sustainable harvest. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC) states that the main objective of fisheries management is to “allow enough harvest to sustain and build the fishing and seafood industries while protecting the productivity and sustainability of the marine ecosystems.”

Guidelines for the contents of a plan are described in Natural Resources Article, §4-215, Annotated Code of Maryland. When developing or reviewing a plan, staff review previous management measures, current monitoring data and results, stock assessment conclusions, scientific research data, ecosystem and socioeconomic factors, and other relevant data and information.

What happens after a plan is adopted?

Upon adoption of an FMP, most of the FMPs are incorporated by reference into the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). Incorporation by reference (IBR) is a legal device by which one document is made a part of another simply by referring to it. The text of the referenced document, in this case the FMP, becomes fully and legally a part of COMAR. A regulation proposing to incorporate a document by reference is no different than any other proposed regulation. All the standard regulation-making procedures apply. In some cases, regulatory and statutory actions may be necessary to fully implement a management action and must go through the appropriate process, including scoping and public comment. Visit our Regulation pages for information about the regulatory process.

How does the FMP guide management?

Natural Resources Article, §4-215, Annotated Code of Maryland states: Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, except § 4–1002 of this title, once a fishery management plan has been adopted by regulation, the State’s fishery resources shall be harvested in accordance with the conservation and management measures in the fishery management plan and any regulations implementing or amending that plan.

Annual Report for FMPs

Each year the Department prepares a report about each FMP for the General Assembly. The report covers the previous year using the data available at the time.

Fishery Management Annual Reports are available on this archival webpage.

These documents are not ADA Compliant.

To receive a particular report, follow the directions on the top of the linked page.