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ASMFC Schedules Educational Webinars for Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Management Stakeholder Process

November 17, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Horseshoe Crab Management Board is convening a stakeholder engagement process to inform revisions to the Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework, including a series of three educational webinars and an in-person stakeholder workshop. The process will be facilitated by Compass Resource Management with the goal of identifying stakeholder values and perspectives in order to develop clear, actionable recommendations for revising core functions of the ARM Framework that reflect stakeholder priorities.

 The ARM Framework is a model used by the Commission to set annual harvest levels for horseshoe crabs in the Delaware Bay region. The Framework is designed to balance the needs of the horseshoe crab fishery with the ecological needs of migratory shorebirds, particularly the rufa red knot, which depends on horseshoe crab eggs as a food source. Within the ARM Framework, three mathematical functions—the Utility, Reward, and Harvest Policy (U/R/H) functions—serve to align the model with the values and interests of stakeholders.  

Three educational sessions will be held via webinar to build a shared understanding of the ARM Framework and the role of the U/R/H functions. These will be followed by a two-day values workshop, where participants will develop quantitative values representing the stakeholder groups’ interests for integration into the model and consensus recommendations for model updates. Fourteen individuals were selected to participate in this process and represent a broad range of stakeholder perspectives in this process, including commercial harvesters and dealers; biomedical industry representatives; and horseshoe crab, shorebird, and ecosystem conservationists. Other interested parties are welcome to attend the events as observers. Webinar details are as follows:

 Educational Webinars: Session 1

Wednesday, December 10, 3 – 5 p.m.

Educational Webinars: Session 2

Monday, January 5, 1 – 3 p.m. OR Thursday, January 8, 3– 5 p.m.

 Register for all sessions at this link:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7735336331916384086

The material to be covered in these webinars is divided into two sessions. Session 1 will provide an overview of the purpose and scope of the stakeholder process, expectations for the workshop, and a high-level overview of horseshoe crab management using the ARM Framework. Session 2 will cover the role and mechanics of theU/R/H functions in more detail to develop a foundation for workshop discussions. All sessions will include opportunities for Q&A. Please note that the two January sessions will cover the same material but discussion topics will likely differ.

The in-person stakeholder workshop is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, January 29-30. The location is still being finalized but will likely be held in coastal Delaware or Maryland. A press release will be published with workshop details once they are set. 

 Webinar Instructions

To register for the virtual educational sessions please click HERE and select the webinar(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Please be sure to register for Session 1 and one of the Session 2 webinars. The sessions will be held via GoToWebinar, and you can join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software by (clicking here) or via the App store under GoToWebinar. We recommend you register for the sessions well in advance since GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the Commission at info@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and we will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) so you can ask questions during the sessions. If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can also call in at 914.614.3221, access code 321-974-593. An audio PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar.

Please note that in order to ask questions or comment during the virtual session you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your smart phone. Those joining by phone (audio only) will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 914.614.3221 and enter access code 321-974-593.

For those who cannot attend the webinars, they will be recorded and posted on the Commission’s YouTube page. For more information on the Commission and horseshoe crab management, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org or visit https://asmfc.org.

American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment Finds GOM/GBK Stock Not Depleted but Experiencing Overfishing & SNE Stock Significantly Depleted but Not Experiencing Overfishing

October 30, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s American Lobster Management Board received the results of the 2025 American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report, which presents contrasting results for the two American lobster stocks in US waters. The Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank (GOM/GBK) stock is not depleted but has declined 34% since peak levels in 2018, and overfishing is occurring. The Southern New England (SNE) stock remains significantly depleted with record low abundances for all life stages in recent years.

 
“The Benchmark Stock Assessment is a considerable advancement in our understanding US American lobster resource. It was fully endorsed by an external panel of fishery scientists as the best scientific information available to manage the lobster resource,” stated Board Chair Renee Zobel from New Hampshire. “On behalf of the American Lobster Board, I commend the members of the Technical Committee and Stock Assessment Subcommittee for their outstanding work on the 2025 Benchmark Stock Assessment Report. This assessment reflects the commitment of the Committee and Peer Review Panel to providing the Board with the highest-caliber science to inform management decisions and improve our understanding of the complex and changing relationship between the environment and lobster resource.” 
 
There are notable differences between the fisheries operating in the GOM and GBK portions of the GOM/GBK stock. The GOM fishery accounts for the vast majority of US lobster landings, averaging 82% of the annual landings since 1982, and is predominately carried out by small vessels making day trips in nearshore waters. The GBK fishery is considerably smaller, averaging 5% of the landings since 1982, and is predominantly carried out by larger vessels making multi-day trips to offshore waters. Total GOM/GBK annual landings increased from a stable period in the 1980s, averaging approximately 35.4 million pounds, through the 1990s and 2000s, exceeding 100 million pounds for the first time in 2009. Landings from 2012 through 2018 stabilized at record levels, averaging 145.7 million pounds. Landings have declined since the last assessment, averaging 123.6 million pounds from 2019-2023.
 
Historically, the SNE fishery was predominately an inshore fishery. Landings peaked in 1997 at 21.8 million pounds and accounted for 26% of the total US lobster landings. Following the peak, landings from SNE have continuously declined to the lowest on record in 2023 (1.7 million pounds), now accounting for only 1% of the US landings. The fishery has also shifted to a predominantly offshore fishery as inshore abundance declined at a faster rate.
 
In the GOM/GBK stock, recruitment and spawning stock biomass estimates have declined in recent years from record highs. Recent exploitation is just above the exploitation threshold, indicating overfishing is occurring. Given the overfishing status and rapid declines in abundance in recent years, the Stock Assessment Subcommittee
 
encouraged the initiation of a management strategy evaluation to establish clear management objectives for all stakeholders, better understand socioeconomic status and concerns, and identify potential management tools that might be supported by the industry and prevent further declines. Although continued adverse environmental indicators suggest environmental conditions are major contributors to the poor abundance status in SNE, the Stock Assessment Subcommittee believes significant management action would provide the best chance of stabilizing or improving the abundance and reproductive capacity of this stock.
 
The assessment highlights extensive research on the influence of the environment on American lobster life history and population dynamics. Among the critical environmental variables, temperature stands out as the primary influence. The American lobster’s range is experiencing changing environmental conditions at some of the fastest rates in the world, making consideration of environmental factors essential when assessing the lobster stocks.  Therefore, the assessment incorporated environmental data time series including water temperatures at several fixed monitoring stations throughout the lobster’s range, average water temperatures over large areas such as those sampled by fishery-independent surveys, oceanographic processes affecting the environment, and other environmental indicators such as lobster prey abundance. These data time series were analyzed for significant shifts in the lobster environment and population that can affect stock productivity and impact recruitment levels and the ability to support different levels of fishing pressure.  
 
Stock abundance is characterized using reference points for abundance and exploitation. Based on these reference points, the GOMGBK stock is not depleted and overfishing is occurring. The average abundance from 2021-2023 was 202 million lobsters, which remains above the abundance limit reference point, but below the fishery/industry target, indicating the stock’s ability to replenish itself is not jeopardized, but economic conditions for the lobster fishery may be degrading. The average exploitation from 2021-2023 was just above the exploitation threshold, indicating overfishing is occurring.
 
The SNE stock is significantly depleted and the stock’s ability to replenish itself is diminished. The average abundance from 2021-2023 was 6 million lobster, well below the abundance threshold (18 million lobster) and the lowest on record. The average exploitation from 2021-2023 was between the exploitation threshold and target, indicating overfishing is not occurring.
 
Stock indicators, which are based strictly on observed data and are free from inherent assumptions in the stock assessment models, were also used as an independent, model-free assessment of the lobster stocks to corroborate the assessment model results. Indicators of adult lobster abundance generally showed similar results to the assessment model for the GOM/GBK stock, with abundance declines from peaks since 2018. GOM/GBK young-of-year (YOY) indicators have shown increases from lows in the 2010s, but remain below higher levels observed in the 2000s. Inshore surveys exhibit stronger abundance declines than offshore surveys, and indicators show higher exploitation rates inshore. New to the 2025 assessment, recruit-dependency indicators show inshore harvest is highly dependent on incoming recruitment (lobsters that enter the fishery due to catchable size). Landings and revenue indicators show declining trends but remain at positive levels. Indicators related to environmental conditions, particularly bottom water temperatures, remain positive in GOM/GBK and shell disease prevalence, although increasing in some areas, remains low relative to SNE.
 
SNE abundance indicators agree with model results and indicate declines to record low abundances for all life stages in recent years. The contraction of the SNE stock has continued and is now evident offshore as well as inshore. Given data and survey challenges leading to increased instability in the SNE model, consistent poor stock status estimates, and the lack of evidence suggesting environmental and stock conditions will improve in SNE, the Stock Assessment Subcommittee recommended future assessments evaluate the condition of the SNE stock using model-free indicators, and prioritize modelling efforts on the GOMGBK stock.
 
The Peer Review Panel found the 2025 assessment meets and exceeds the standard for best scientific information available and provides a suitable foundation for management. The Panel commended the addition of socioeconomic data that provide insight into changes in the fishery and the considerable efforts to evaluate environmental impacts on the stock. However, the Panel cautioned against placing too much emphasis on environmental effects and discounting the effects of fishing on the lobster populations.  
 
The Board accepted the Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for management use. A more detailed overview of the stock assessment, as well as the Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report will be available on the Commission website https://asmfc.org/species/american-lobster/ under News and Resources. For more information, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

ASMFC 2025 Summer Meeting Final Agenda and Materials Now Available

July 23, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Meeting will be August 5 – 7, 2025 at The Westin Crystal City. This will be a hybrid meeting (both in-person and remote) to allow for participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders. The room block is now closed; if you need assistance reserving a room, please contact Lisa Carty at lcarty@asmfc.org.

 The final agenda and meeting materials for the Summer Meeting are now available athttps://asmfc.org/events/2025-summer-meeting/; click on “Meeting Materials” under the relevant Board/Committee name to access the documents for that Board/Committee. For ease of access, materials for all boards have been combined into one document – https://asmfc.org/resources/management-meeting-materials/2025-summer-meeting-materials/. Supplemental materials will be posted to the website on Wednesday, July 30. 
 
Please note: the Coastal Sharks Management Board meeting, previously scheduled for Wednesday, August 6 (11:30 AM – 12:15 PM) has been canceled. The Weakfish Management Board meeting, which was previously scheduled for Tuesday, August 5 (1 – 2 PM) will now occur Wednesday, August 6 (11:30 AM – 12:15 PM). The timing of other meetings on August 5 has been slightly modified. Be advised the agenda’s schedule is subject to change; the order in which the agenda items are listed is subject to change, and other agenda items or meetings may be added as necessary.

ASMFC Seeks Contractor to Facilitate a Stakeholder Workshop and Engagement Process

July 9, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contractor to design and conduct a stakeholder engagement process to inform revisions to the Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework using structured decision making methods. The contractor would facilitate educational meetings, design and facilitate a stakeholder workshop, meet with the Commission’s horseshoe crab technical committees to develop potential modifications to the ARM Framework based on stakeholder input, and develop a report of workshop conclusions and recommendations to the Commission’s Delaware Bay Ecosystem Technical Committee and Horseshoe Crab Management Board (Board).

Since 2013, the Board has used the Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework to determine harvest levels for the bait fishery in the Delaware Bay states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia based on the abundance levels of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds. In 2021, a revision to the ARM Framework was completed to address feedback from the previous peer review panel, incorporate newly available data, and transition to new modeling software. The adoption of the 2021 ARM Framework Revision resulted in extensive public concern, focused in large part on the potential for female horseshoe crab harvest under the revised ARM Framework and its impact on the rufa red knot, a migratory shorebird listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act that depends on horseshoe crab eggs as a major food source in the Delaware Bay region during its migration. However, stakeholder groups in the Delaware Bay region hold diverging values and perspectives on management of the horseshoe crab resource. Commercial industry participants indicate they still value the harvest of female horseshoe crabs. Conversely, environmental groups have advocated for zero female horseshoe crab harvest from the Delaware Bay population.

Given these conflicting stakeholder goals and values, in July 2024, the Board convened a Horseshoe Crab Management Objectives Workshop to explore potential future objectives and management approaches for the Delaware Bay-origin horseshoe crab fishery. The workshop included a small group of stakeholders representing environmental NGO, fishing, biomedical, bird and horseshoe crab scientists, and management perspectives, and produced several recommended actions to address stakeholder concerns and values. A consensus recommendation from the workshop was that the Utility, Reward, and Harvest Policy (U/R/H) Functions of the ARM Framework (i.e., mathematical functions within the ARM Framework that reflect values placed on horseshoe crabs and red knots) be reevaluated and refined with stakeholder input. The structure of these functions is the key mechanism by which stakeholder values are translated into horseshoe crab harvest levels. Thus, increased stakeholder understanding, engagement, and input into these functions is the key mechanism by which ASMFC seeks to increase acceptance of the ARM across disparate groups and interests.

Proposals must be submitted, as a single file, an electronic proposal by email no later than 11:59 PM on August 8, 2025, to Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator. Please see the RFP for more details, qualifying requirements, and submission instructions. The RFP is available athttps://asmfc.org/resources/rfp-for-horseshoe-crab-workshop/.

Please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org for questions regarding the request for proposals.

ASMFC Seeks Proposals for the Upgrade of its Website Proposals Due May 7, 2024

April 6, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission releases this Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a qualified vendor to plan, execute, and deliver, and potentially host, the upgrade ofhttps://asmfc.org/ to aid in promoting the mission, vision, and programs of the Commission. ASMFC requires a vendor who has demonstrated experience in managing website projects and expertise with best practices regarding successful website design, development, and deployment.

As the Commission’s primary outreach tool, the website serves as a platform to promote the programs and activities of the Commission. It provides detailed information on the 27 species managed by the Commission, as well as information on the science, data collection, habitat conservation, and law enforcement programs that support our fisheries management activities. It contains a vast archive of current and historical documents (5,000+ documents), including management and science documents, management board proceedings, technical committee reports, press releases and newsletters. It serves as a resource for a wide array of stakeholders that follow our activities and provide input on proposed management actions.

The website should serve as an information portal for the programs and activities of the Commission. It should be able to address the needs of its various target audiences from those who are active and participate in the Commission’s activities, to those who are interested in the Commission’s programs, and those who may be unfamiliar with the Commission and are coming to the website to learn more and become better informed about fisheries management along the Atlantic coast.

The ideal developer for this project should be able to design and execute a dynamic and modern website, while also being willing to work closely with the Commission to create a website that is easy to update by the web manager.

Applicants seeking to apply to the RFP must submit, as a single file, an electronic proposal by email no later than midnight on May 7, 2024, to Tina Berger at tberger@asmfc.org. Please see the RFP for complete proposal details, qualifying requirements, and submission instructions. The RFP is available at https://asmfc.org/files/RFPs/ASMFC_WebsiteRFP_April2024.pdf.   For more information, please contact Tina Berger, Director of Communications, at tberger@asmfc.org or 703.842.0749.

ASMFC Coastal Pelagics Board Sets Atlantic Cobia Total Harvest Quota for 2024-2026 Fishing Seasons

August 3, 2023 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Coastal Pelagics Management Board approved a total harvest quota for the Atlantic migratory group of cobia of 80,112 fish for the 2024-2026 fishing seasons. This total quota results in a coastwide recreational quota of 76,908 fish and commercial quota of 73,116 pounds.

The total quota level was first approved in February 2020 for the 2020-2022 fishing seasons. In 2021, the Board changed the cobia quota timeframe from 2020-2022 to 2021-2023. Based on the recommendation from the Technical Committee and in the absence of a new stock assessment, the Board has set the 2024-2026 total harvest quota equal to the 2023 total harvest quota of 80,112 fish.

A new stock assessment for Atlantic migratory group of cobia is scheduled for 2025, with the potential to inform 2026 or later total harvest quotas. The Board will meet in October 2023 to consider new recreational management measures for some states. For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at ctuohy@asmfc.org.

 

ASMFC February/March Issue of Fisheries Focus Now Available

March 25, 2016 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Management Comission:

The February/March issue of ASMFC Fisheries Focus is now available at http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/56f557b0FishFocusFebMarch2016.pdf.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

ASMFC 2016 Spring Meeting Preliminary Agenda

page 1 

Upcoming Meetings

page 2

From the Executive Director’s Desk

A New Initiative: ASMFC Kicks-off Socioeconomic Study on Atlantic Menhaden Commercial Fisheries

page 3

Species Profile

Northern Shrimp

page 4

Science Highlight

Larval Fish and Climate Change Research in National Estuarine Research Reserves

page 8

ACCSP

GARFO Authorizes eTrips/ Mobile for Use in Electronic Trip Reporting

ACCSP Seeks Your Feedback on Ways to Improve SAFIS 

ACCSP Happenings

page 10

On the Legislative Front

page 11

ASMFC Releases 2015 Annual Report

page 11 

ASMFC Comings & Goings

page 12

Past issues of Fisheries Focus can be found at http://www.asmfc.org/search/%20/%20/Fishery-Focus.

ASMFC Seeks Proposals for a Socioeconomic Study on Atlantic Menhaden Commercial Fisheries

November 29, 2015 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC):

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is soliciting proposals from research teams to conduct a socioeconomic study of Atlantic menhaden commercial fisheries. The study, expected to begin in February 2016, is intended to characterize the coastwide commercial fisheries, including bait and reduction sectors and the fishing communities they support. Funding for the project has been provided through a cooperative agreement with NOAA Fisheries. Approximately $80,000 will be available to fund the study.

“We anticipate this project will be key to assisting the Board with future decisions on the management of the menhaden resource,” stated Robert Boyles, Chair of the Commission’s Atlantic Menhaden Management Board. “As such, we are hopeful state agencies and stakeholders will fully and openly participate in the collection of new socioeconomic information. The Board will incorporate the products of the study as it moves forward with the development of Draft Amendment 3 in 2017.”

The primary objective of the study is to provide socioeconomic information to better understand the impacts of potential changes to the management of Atlantic menhaden commercial bait and reduction fisheries. The project will identify individuals, families, firms, organizations, and communities to better characterize the menhaden fisheries and their stakeholders. The study will also gather both primary and secondary information from stakeholders and state agencies on the fisheries (e.g., landings, value, participation, capacity utilization, fixed costs) and market (e.g., retailers/wholesalers, clients/purchasers, number/types of employees) to more thoroughly evaluate the socioeconomic value of Atlantic menhaden.

The research deliverables were identified by the Commission’s Committee on Economics and Social Sciences (CESS) using the general framework from a previous menhaden socioeconomic study conducted in the Chesapeake Bay region by Kirkley and colleagues in 2011. CESS also worked closely with the Atlantic Menhaden Board Allocation Workgroup to address research needs.

“We are excited the Commission was able to secure funding for this in-depth study of the menhaden fishery,” said Madeleine Hall-Arber, CESS Chair. “The effort represents a new direction for the Commission to provide detailed socioeconomic information to help managers better understand management impacts. Similar resources are needed to support socioeconomic studies in other fisheries along the Atlantic Coast.

A full list of the anticipated project deliverables can be found within the Request for Proposals at http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/565b56a0MenhadenRFP_Nov2015.pdf. Proposals should be submitted to Shanna Madsen (smadsen@asmfc.org) by 5 p.m. EST, January 4th, 2016. For more information, please contact Shanna Madsen, Fisheries Science Coordinator, at smadsen@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

Read the release from the ASMFC

ASMFC Northern Shrimp Advisory Panel Meeting

June 1, 2015 — Meeting materials for the June 12, 2015 meetings of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Advisory Panel and Section are now available (attached).

 The meeting will be held at the Westin Portland Harborview (formerly Eastland Hotel), 157 High Street, Portland, Maine; 207.775.5411. The Advisory Panel will meet from 9 – 11:30 AM to review submitted public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 3 to the Northern Shrimp FMP and develop recommendations for issues to be included in the Draft Amendment. The Section will meet from 1 – 5 PM to review submitted public comment as well as the Advisory Panel’s recommendations, and identify specific management options for inclusion in Draft Amendment 3, the focus of which is the development of a limited entry program for the northern shrimp fishery.  The public is welcome to attend both meetings. For more information, please contact Max Appelman, Fishery Management Coordinator, at 703.842.0740.

Section and AP Meeting Materials 12 June 2015

Read PDF advisory board meeting materials

ASMFC American Lobster Board: States Schedule Hearings

May 26, 2015 – The following was released by the ASMFC:

Arlington, VA – The states of Maine through Rhode Island and Maryland have scheduled their public hearings to gather input on the Draft Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Jonah Crab. The details of those hearings follow. 

Maine Department of Marine Resources

July 6, 2015; 6-8 PM

Casco Bay Lines Conference Room

56 Commercial Street

Portland, Maine

Contact: Terry Stockwell at 207.624.6024

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department

July 7, 2015; 7:30 PM

Urban Forestry Center

45 Elwin Road

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Contact: Doug Grout at 603.868.1095

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

July 8, 2015; 5 – 9 PM

Fairfield Inn and Suites

185 MacArthur Boulevard

New Bedford, Massachusetts

Contact: Dan McKiernan at 617.626.1536

Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management

July 9, 2015; 5:30 – 9 PM

University of Rhode Island Bay Campus

Corliss Auditorium

South Ferry Road

Narragansett, Rhode Island

Contact: Mark Gibson at 401.423.1935

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

June 30, 2015; 4:30 – 7 PM

Ocean Pines Library

1106 Cathell Road

Ocean Pines, Maryland

Contact: Craig Weedon at 410.643.4601 ext. 2113

 

The Jonah Crab FMP was initiated in response to concern about increasing targeted fishing pressure for Jonah crab, which has long been considered a bycatch in the lobster fishery. However, growing market demand has increased landings by 6.48 fold since the early 2000s. The majority of crab are harvested by lobstermen using lobster traps.  With the increase in demand for crab, a mixed crustacean fishery has emerged that can target both lobster or crab or both at different times of year based on slight legal modifications to the gear and small shifts in the areas in which traps are fished. The mixed nature of the fishery makes it difficult to manage a Jonah crab fishery completely separate from the American lobster fishery without impacting the number of vertical lines and traps capable of catching lobster in state and federal waters. A complete picture of the Jonah crab fishery in federal and state waters is difficult to ascertain due to the mixed nature of the fishery. In the absence of a comprehensive management plan and stock assessment, increased harvest of Jonah crab may compromise the sustainability of the resource. 

The Draft Jonah Crab FMP presents management objectives, proposed regulations to the commercial and recreational fisheries, monitoring requirements, and recommendations for federal waters fisheries. The proposed options seek to address the following issues:

 ·         The crab resource is not directly regulated in federal waters but is rather regulated incidentally by the American lobster regulations. There are no crab specific regulations in federal waters or permit/license requirements.

·         There are no minimum size protections for Jonah crab, nor are there regulations to protect spawning biomass, including restrictions on the harvest of females or egg carrying females.

·         Supermarkets and other major buyers are positioning to discontinue selling processed and whole Jonah crab unless it is managed sustainably which would impact the ex-vessel price.

·         A lack of universal permit and reporting requirements makes it difficult to characterize catch and effort to the full extent in order to manage the fishery

·         A Jonah crab trap is not distinguishable from a lobster trap making it difficult to independently manage crab and lobster fisheries.

·         Because crab traps are similar in design and function to lobster traps, but are not specifically regulated, there may be implications with the lobster fishery and marine mammal interactions compromising the effectiveness of the Large Whale Take Reduction and Lobster plans. 

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft FMP either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft FMP can be obtained at http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/DraftJonahCrabFMP_PublicComment.pdf or via the Commission’s website, www.asmfc.org, under Public Input. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on July 24, 2015 and should be forwarded to Megan Ware, FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Jonah Crab FMP). For more information, please contact Megan Ware at mware@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.