The New England Council manages 37 stocks in 9 FMPs, the largest of which is the Multispecies Groundfish FMP, comprised of 19 groundfish stocks plus five hake stocks. Eighteen of the groundfish stocks are assessed regularly, with benchmark assessments every three years. At least 13 of the 19 groundfish stocks are considered overfished, and at least 9 of the 19 are currently experiencing overfishing on an annual basis. In addition, several species of skates in the Skate FMP are overfished and one species (Thorny skate) was declared to be subject to overfishing in 2008. In all, 17 stocks were overfished and/or subject to overfishing in 2008.

With the approval of Amendment 13 to the Multispecies FMP in 2004, the New England Council adopted formal rebuilding programs for overfished groundfish stocks as required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Since most of the stocks are considered well below the overfished threshold, substantial reductions in catch are necessary to rebuild them to their target biomass levels within the legally mandated timeframe of 10 years. In reality, however, the New England Council’s management of groundfish has not employed hard catch limits but has relied mainly on ineffective effort-based controls on days at sea, trip limits, gear restrictions, and some season-area closures.

The New England Council has the lead in preparing the Monkfish Plan with the Mid-Atlantic Council (MAFMC). The MAFMC leads in the preparation of measures for the joint Spiny Dogfish FMP. The Atlantic Salmon Plan contains a single measure that prohibits possession of this species and any directed or incidental (bycatch) commercial fishery in federal waters.