Saving Seafood

Council Actions

ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Board Extends Emergency Action through October 28, 2024 & Continues Development of Additional Measures to Aid Rebuilding

August 2, 2023 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board extended the current emergency action through October 28, 2024 or until the implementation of Addendum II to Amendment 7 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan. In May, the Board approved a 31-inch maximum size limit for the 2023 recreational fishery to reduce harvest of the strong 2015-year class. The 31-inch maximum size limit applies to all existing recreational fishery regulations where a higher (or no) maximum size applies, excluding the May Chesapeake Bay trophy fisheries which already prohibit harvest of fish less than 35 inches. All bag limits, seasons, and gear restrictions remain the same. All states and jurisdictions implemented the required measure by July 2, 2023.

 
The emergency action responds to the unprecedented magnitude of 2022 recreational harvest, which is nearly double that of 2021, and new stock rebuilding projections, which estimate the probability of the spawning stock rebuilding to its biomass target by 2029 drops from 97% under the lower 2021 fishing mortality rate to 15% if the higher 2022 fishing mortality rate continues each year.
 
The extension of the emergency action provides the Board time to develop and finalize Draft Addendum II, which will consider 2024 management measures designed to reduce fishing mortality to the target. Specifically, the Draft Addendum will propose options for the ocean recreational fishery, including modifications to the slot limit with harvest season closures as a secondary non-preferred option. It will also propose options for the Chesapeake Bay recreational fisheries, as well all commercial fisheries, including maximum size limits.

ASMFC 2023 Summer Meeting Second Supplemental Materials Now Available

July 30, 2023 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Supplemental 2 materials for ASMFC’s 2023 Summer Meeting are now available and can be found in the below links or at https://www.asmfc.org/home/2023-summer-meeting. For ease of access, all the supplemental materials have been combined into one document: 2023 Summer Supplemental2.

Revised Final Agenda

American Eel Management Board – Public Comment

ISFMP Policy Board – Revised Draft Agenda & Meeting Overview; Legislative Issues (Draft 2023 NOAA Act and FISHES Act); and MAFMC Memo of Proposed Timeline Revisions for Recreational Sector Separation and Catch Accounting Amendment   

As a reminder, the Commission’s Public Comment Guidelines are:

For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide an opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. Board chairs will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.

For topics that are on the agenda, but have not gone out for public comment, board chairs will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic. Chairs will have flexibility in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities; this could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition until the chair is satisfied further comment will not provide additional insight to the board.

For agenda action items that have already gone out for public comment, it is the Policy Board’s intent to end the occasional practice of allowing extensive and lengthy public comments. Currently, board chairs have the discretion to decide what public comment to allow in these circumstances.

ASMFC Summer Meeting: August 1-3, 2023

July 26, 2023 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Meeting will be held August 1-3, 2023 at The Westin Crystal City. The room block is now closed; if you need assistance reserving a room, please contact Lisa Carty at lcarty@asmfc.org. This will be a hybrid meeting (both in-person and remote) to allow for participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders.

The final agenda and meeting materials for the Summer Meeting are now available at https://www.asmfc.org/home/2023-summer-meeting; click on the relevant Board/Committee name to access the documents for that Board/Committee.

Webinar Information Board meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, August 1 at 9 a.m. and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 11 a.m.) on Thursday, August 3. To register for the webinar, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8211916328494316377 (Webinar ID 505-145-715).

For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.

Meeting Process

In terms of meeting process, board chairs will ask both in-person and virtual board members if they wish to speak. In-person members can simply raise their hands at the meeting without logging on to the webinar, while virtual members will raise their hands on the webinar. The chair will work with staff to compile the list

of speakers, balancing the flow of questions/comments between in-person and virtual attendees. The same process will be used for public comment. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.

Each day, the webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the first meeting so that people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter. If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio-related), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790.

We look forward to seeing you at the Summer Meeting. If the staff or I can provide any further assistance to you, please call us at 703.842.0740.

Supplemental Materials

East Coast Fishery Management Organizations Release Suite of Potential Actions to Help Managers Respond to the Effects of Climate Change on Marine Fisheries

July 26, 2023 — The following was released by the East Coast Fishery Management Organizations:

Over the past two years, marine fishery management organizations along the U.S. East Coast have been exploring governance and management issues related to climate change and fishery stock distributions. This effort recognizes the profound impact that climate change is having on our ocean ecosystems and coastlines and the need to plan for how fishery management organizations and coastal communities can best adapt to these changes in a thoughtful and deliberate way.

Throughout the multi-stage scenario planning process, hundreds of stakeholders helped generate four distinct “scenarios,” each describing a possible future for East Coast fisheries, coastal communities, and fisheries management. The capstone to this initiative was a Scenario Planning Summit, held in February 2023, which brought together representatives from the three East Coast Regional Fishery Management Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and NOAA Fisheries. During the Summit, participants used the scenarios as a platform from which to develop a set of potential governance and management actions that could help prepare fishery management organizations for future challenges related to climate change.

Scenario Planning Outcomes

The main themes and potential actions that emerged during this process are summarized in two documents: the Summit Report and a Potential Action Menu. The Summit Report summarizes the discussions that occurred at the Summit, while the Potential Action Menu builds upon the Summit Report by suggesting possible next steps for the management organizations to consider as they plan for the future. The Potential Action Menu is organized around three overarching themes: (1) crossjurisdictional governance; (2) managing under increased uncertainty; and (3) data sources and partnerships. Each theme’s potential actions are prioritized, with high priority given to those that could be quickly or easily implemented or that the fishery management organizations viewed as important issues to address in the near-term. The table on the following page provides a summary of high priority potential actions under each theme.

The Potential Action Menu is intended to be an evolving document, used as a planning tool to guide development of priorities and a place to capture future issues and ideas. Over the next several months, fishery management organizations will meet individually and collectively to discuss how best to integrate the high priority items into actions.

Request for Proposals: Policy and Regulatory Analyst

July 25, 2023 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council;

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (Council), established through Congress under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MFCMA) of 1976, has the responsibility for preparing management plans for those fisheries within its jurisdiction. The Council has authority over the management of fisheries in the US Exclusive Economic Zone waters off of the Territories of American Samoa and Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the State of Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Remote Island Areas. 

The Council, composed of 16 public, State, and Federal members, meets at a minimum of four times a year to conduct its business. Funding for the Council is provided by Congress through grants administered by NOAA Fisheries.  The Council headed by an Executive Director with administrative and programmatic staff based in Hawaii and US Pacific Island Territories. The Council is soliciting proposals for contractual services on a time and materials basis as listed below. 

 

CONTRACT SERVICE:  Policy and Regulatory Analyst

 

CONTRACT PERIOD:  The contract is expected to begin in August 2023 and end in December 2023. 

 

SCOPE OF WORK:  The Policy and Regulatory Analyst will assist the Council in supporting its programs in the Western Pacific Region.  A specific list of deliverables and timelines will be provided to potential contractors during the contractor interview and selection process. A list of potential deliverables under the contract is summarized below: 

 

  • A written report analyzing existing fishing policies, practices and regulations in the Western Pacific Region;
  • Prepare research memoranda to support development of proposed fishing regulations; 
  • Prepare meeting presentations and materials to support interactions between the Council, federal agency representatives, local fishing associations and clubs, and international organizations; and
  • Provide verbal reports to the Council staff and Executive Director concerning work products. 

 

ELIGIBILITY: The potential Contractor must: 

  • Possess a detailed working knowledge of the Magnuson-Steven Act and other policies, regulations, and guidance documents relating to marine resource management and conservation in the Pacific Island Region; 
  • Be familiar with the responsibilities of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council as well as Pacific Island community cultures and natural resources;
  • Be familiar with territorial fishery agencies, federal fishery agencies, and fishing and seafood communities in the Western Pacific;  
  • Possess sufficient skill and ability to work independently to produce written deliverables; and
  • Be available to commence work in August 2023, and complete work in December 2023.

 

REQUIREMENTS: The contractor will work independently and coordinate with the Council program staff to meet deliverable timelines.  Proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis based on the eligibility criteria as stated above.  The selected contractor will commence work in August, 2023. 

HOW TO APPLY: Proposal submissions should include a proposal including the following items (maximum 3 pages): (a) Name, affiliation, and contact information of the principal contractor(s); (b) a brief statement addressing the qualifications and requirements as stated; (c) contractor’s compensation rate, inclusive of all taxes and fees; and (d) a curriculum vitae or resume for each project participant. 

 

Proposals may be submitted by e-mail (attach materials in PDF files) to info@wpcouncil.org or regular mail to: Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400 Honolulu, HI 96813.  

 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Proposals will be accepted until August 15, 2023, or until a contractor is engaged, whichever is earlier. 

NEFMC Seeks Contractor to Facilitate Groundfish ABC Control Rule Meeting

July 25, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is looking for an independent contractor to facilitate a meeting that will discuss draft goals and objectives for Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) control rules. This is a short-term, temporary contractor role, commencing on or about August 7, 2023, and expected to be completed by October 2023.

 
 
AUGUST 17, 2023 MEETING: During its June meeting, the Council initiated a framework adjustment to consider modifying or replacing the existing groundfish ABC control rules. As a next step, the Council’s Groundfish Committee will meet to discuss possible goals and objectives of the framework on August 17, 2023. 
 
The meeting will include a facilitated session with members of the Groundfish Committee, the Scientific and Statistical Committee, the Groundfish Plan Development Team, the Groundfish and Recreational Advisory Panels, the Risk Policy Working Group, and the public to discuss developing draft goals and objectives for this action that are consistent with National Standard 1, National Standard 1 guidelines, and the Council’s Risk Policy.
 
The Council seeks a meeting facilitator familiar with the groundfish stock assessment process and ABC control rules to run the facilitated session of the Groundfish Committee meeting.
 
  • The specific outcome is a draft list of possible goals and objectives for the ABC controls rules framework for consideration by the Groundfish Committee.
 
  • The Groundfish Committee will discuss the resulting list in the afternoon on the same day. The Groundfish Committee may decide to make recommendations to the Council.
 
MORE INFORMATION: A complete list of specific tasks, discussion questions for the facilitator, desired experience and demonstrated skills for facilitator candidates, and application submission information can be found in the request for proposals.

August 2023 Council Meeting

July 20, 2o23 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet Tuesday, August 8 – Friday, August 11, 2023 in Annapolis, Maryland. Council members, other meeting participants, and members of the public will have the option to participate in person at the Westin Annapolis or virtually via Webex webinar. Please see the August 2023 Council Meeting Page for webinar details, public comment deadlines, briefing materials (as they become available), and other updates.

A detailed agenda is available here. Below is an overview of the main topics to be addressed each day.

Please note that the agenda below has been corrected. The Council and Board will be adopting (not reviewing) 2024 black sea bass specifications. 

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 

Joint with ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass Management Board

  • Summer Flounder 2024-2025 Specifications
  • Scup 2024-2025 Specifications
  • Scup Commercial Discards Report
  • Black Sea Bass 2024 Specifications

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

  • Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework / Addenda 2.0 – Review progress and discuss next steps (Joint with ASMFC ISFMP Policy Board)
  • Bluefish 2024-2025 Specifications (Joint with ASMFC Bluefish Board)
  • East Coast Scenario Planning Initiative – Review outcomes and discuss MAFMC next steps
  • NOAA Fisheries Climate Governance Policy – Review policy and discuss Council comments
  • Award Presentations

Thursday, August 10, 2023

  • Atlantic Mackerel 2024-2025 Specifications
  • River Herring and Shad (RH/S) – Review update and adopt 2024-2025 RH/S cap
  • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program
  • Longfin Squid 2024-2026 Specifications
  • Illex Hold Baseline Framework (FW Meeting #1 – Review and approve range of alternatives)
  • Research Set-Aside Program Redevelopment – Update
  • Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: National Standard 4, 8, and 9 – Discuss Council comments

Friday, August 10, 2023

  • Business Session
  • Other Business and General Public Comment

Questions? Contact Mary Sabo, msabo@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5261.

ASMFC 2023 Summer Meeting Final Agenda and Materials Now Available

July 19, 2023 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Meeting will be held August 1-3, 2023 at The Westin Crystal City. The room block is now closed; if you need assistance reserving a room, please contact Lisa Carty at lcarty@asmfc.org. This will be a hybrid meeting (both in-person and remote) to allow for participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders.

 
 
Webinar Information
Board meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, August 1 at 9 a.m. and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 11 a.m.) on Thursday, August 3. To register for the webinar, please go to:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8211916328494316377 (Webinar ID 505-145-715).
 


If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you can also call in at +1 (914) 614-3221, access code 865-531-935. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar; see webinar instructions for details on how to receive the PIN. 
 
For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.
 
Meeting Process
In terms of meeting process, board chairs will ask both in-person and virtual board members if they wish to speak. In-person members can simply raise their hands at the meeting without logging on to the webinar, while virtual members will raise their hands on the webinar. The chair will work with staff to compile the list of speakers, balancing the flow of questions/comments between in-person and virtual attendees. The same process will be used for public comment. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.
 
Each day, the webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the first meeting so that people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter.  If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio-related), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790. 
 
Public Comment Guidelines
To provide a fair opportunity for public input, the ISFMP Policy Board has approved the following guidelines for use at management board meetings:
 
For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. Board chairs will ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide how to allocate the available time on the agenda (typically 10 minutes) to the number of people who want to speak.
 
For topics that are on the agenda, but have not gone out for public comment, board chairs will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic. Chairs will have flexibility in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities; this could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition until the chair is satisfied further comment will not provide additional insight to the board.
 
For agenda action items that have already gone out for public comment, it is the Policy Board’s intent to end the occasional practice of allowing extensive and lengthy public comments. Currently, board chairs have the discretion to decide what public comment to allow in these circumstances.
 
In addition, the following timeline has been established for the submission of written comment for issues for which the Commission has NOT established a specific public comment period (i.e., in response to proposed management action). 
 
1.    Comments received three weeks prior to the start of a meeting week (July 10) have been included in the briefing materials.
2.    Comments received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 25 will be included in supplemental materials.
3.    Comments received by 10:00 AM on Friday, July 28 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.
 
The submitted comments must clearly indicate the commenter’s expectation from the ASMFC staff regarding distribution.  As with other public comment, it will be accepted via mail and email.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the Summer Meeting!

Council Seeks Contractor to Prepare Study for Potential Establishment of Groundfish Research Coordinating Body – Apply by August 2, 2023

July 13, 2023 — The following was released by New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is looking for an independent contractor to prepare a study about potentially establishing a coordinating body for New England groundfish research – in particular, cooperative research. This is a short-term, temporary contractor role. The application deadline is August 2, 2023.

THE IMPETUS: In January 2023, the Conservation Law Foundation and UMass-SMAST convened a workshop to bring together a diverse working group with broad representation from commercial and recreational fisheries, federal and state fisheries agencies, academia, and non-governmental organizations.  The objectives for this workshop were to:

  • Identify research priorities and best practices in cooperative research; 
  • Propose opportunities and implementation strategies for increasing and improving groundfish cooperative research and its application to assessment and management; and
  • Do so with the ultimate intent of improving the condition of the New England groundfish fishery.

WORKSHOP OUTCOME: The working group’s lead recommendation was to establish a regional coordinating body to identify and prioritize research needs for groundfish, ideally providing or securing funding, with a focus on answerable questions that meet assessment and management needs.

STATEMENT OF WORK: The contractor’s role for this project is to examine and scope out in greater detail the possible nature and responsibilities of such a coordinating body. The analysis should consider: (1) the current status and history of groundfish research in the region, including cooperative research; (2) previous regional and national reviews and strategic planning exercises; (3) financial, legal, regulatory, and other constraints; and (4) examples provided by approaches taken in other regions. The analysis should address the following list of questions and considerations:

1.  What organization might lead and house this body?

2.  What organizations/groups would need to buy in to the idea?

3.  What would be the membership?

4.  What would be the purview?

5.  What would be the mechanism for input from scientists and fishermen in terms of which stock(s) and what data needs will have the most influence in improving assessments?

6.  What would be the group’s activities to facilitate regional coordination cooperation, and communication? And,

7.  What are the possible fundings sources, both for running the body and for funding the research questions identified?

The Contractor will research these questions and other topics that arise and then prepare a detailed report that describes the analyses and findings. Proposals should describe what groups will be consulted on the idea. The Contractor will be supervised by the Council’s executive director or a designed and present the results of a draft report to the Groundfish Committee in September or October 2023.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A complete description of the project background, statement of work, desired experience and demonstrated skills for candidates, and application submission information can be found in the request for proposals.

TIME SENSITIVE: Work may commence as early as August 10 and is expected to run no later than November 1, 2023.

ASMFC Schedules ISFMP Policy Board for July 11 from 1-3 PM

July 9, 2023 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has scheduled a virtual meeting of the Interstate Fisheries Management (ISFMP) Policy Board to discuss and make a recommendation on the future of Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (MAFMC or Council) Research Set-aside (RSA) Program. The meeting will be held via webinar on July 11 from 1 – 3 PM. The agenda and meeting materials are available athttps://asmfc.org/files/Meetings/ISFMP_PolicyBoardWebinarAgenda_Materials_July2023.pdf.

In 2014, the Council suspended the RSA Program due to concerns associated with the Program that included administrative, enforcement, and science issues. The Council is considering the potential redevelopment of the RSA Program. From July 2021 through February 2022, the Research Steering Committee (RSC) held a series of four exploration workshops focusing on the key issues of RSA research, funding mechanisms, enforcement, monitoring, and administration. In addition, the RSC reviewed the input from the workshops and developed a draft framework for a potentially revised RSA Program that would seek to address the issues of the original RSA Program. At its August meeting, Council staff will give a presentation on a potential draft RSA Framework, draft RSA Program elements, and recommendations developed by the RSC for Council consideration. Any potential action considered by the Council through a management document would need to be developed cooperatively with the Commission for jointly managed species to ensure a consistent and compatible RSA Program across fishery management plans. At its July 11 meeting, the ISFMP Policy Board will consider providing a recommendation to the Council on the future of the RSA Program.
The webinar details follow:

Webinar ID: 711-234-515

 
If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol, you can may also call in at 415. 655.0052, access code 115-483-509. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar; see webinar instructions for details on how to receive the PIN.
 
For more information, go to https://asmfc.org/calendar/7/2023/ISFMP-Policy-Board/2176 or contact Toni Kerns, Fisheries Policy Director, at tkerns@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.