Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Archives

ASMFC Seeks Proposals for the Redesign of SEAMAP-South Atlantic Website Proposals Due October 13, 2023

August 28, 2023 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a web developer to design and host a new website for the South Atlantic portion of the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP). SEAMAP aids in the collection, management, and dissemination of fishery-independent data throughout coastal waters in the southeastern US. The primary goal of this website is to serve as an information hub for the public and state agency members to access resources pertaining to southeastern coastal surveys. The website should heighten the understanding and use of SEAMAP surveys and the importance of fishery-independent data, while also being a repository for information.

The Commission requires a developer who has demonstrated experience in managing website projects and expertise with best practices regarding successful website design, development, and deployment. The ideal developer for this project should be able to design and execute a dynamic and modern website that helps showcase the purpose of SEAMAP to the public while acting as an active resource for SEAMAP survey managers. The ideal developer will also be willing to work closely with the Commission to create a website that is easy to update by the web manager.

Proposals should provide a cost estimate that takes into account all design and functionality elements from the RFP, including security measures and hosting. The chosen developer may have an opportunity to work on similar future projects for the Commission.

Applicants seeking to apply to the RFP must submit, as a single file, an electronic proposal by email no later than midnight EST on October 13, 2023 to Jainita Patel at jpatel@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/SEAMAP_Website_RFP.pdf.

For more information, please contact Jainita Patel, Fisheries Science Coordinator, atjpatel@asmfc.org or 703.842.0720.

Atlantic Herring Area 1A Fishery Moves to Zero Landing Days for Season 1 on August 26, 2023 at 12:01 a.m.

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

The Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) Atlantic herring fishery is projected to have harvested 92% of the Season 1 (June 1 – September 30) allocation by August 25, 2023. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023, the Area 1A fishery will move to zero landing days through September 30, 2023, as specified in Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring.

Vessels participating in other fisheries may not possess more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per trip per day harvested from Area 1A. In addition, all vessels traveling through Area 1A must have all seine and mid-water trawl gear stowed.

Atlantic Herring Management Board members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts are expected to reconvene in September via conference call to set effort controls for the 2023 Area 1A fishery for Season 2 (October 1 – December 31). An announcement will be issued once the meeting is scheduled.

For more information, please contact Caitlin Starks, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at 703.842.0740 or cstarks@asmfc.org.

The announcement can also be found at https://asmfc.org/uploads/file/64e8d298ZeroLandingDays_AtlHerring_Season1_2023.pdf

ASMFC 81st Annual Meeting Preliminary Agenda and Public Comment Guidelines

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

The agenda is subject to change. Bulleted items represent the anticipated major issues to be discussed or acted upon at the meeting. The final agenda will include additional items and may revise the bulleted items provided below. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled Board meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of Board meetings. Interested parties should anticipate Boards starting earlier or later than indicated herein.

Monday, October 16

9 – 9:30 a.m. Atlantic Herring Management Board

· Set Quota Periods for the 2024 Area 1A Fishery

· Update from New England Fishery Management Council

· Elect Vice-Chair

9:45 – 11:45 a.m. American Lobster Management Board

· Consider 2023 Jonah Crab Benchmark Stock Assessment

· Presentation of Stock Assessment Report

· Presentation of Peer Review Panel Report

· Consider Acceptance of Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for Management Use

· Consider Annual Data Update of American Lobster Indices

· Update on Addendum XXVII Trigger Index

· Consider Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance Reports for American Lobster and Jonah Crab for the 2022 Fishing Year

· Consider Terms of Reference and Timeline for the American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment

· Consider Pursuing a Management Strategy Evaluation for American Lobster

11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch Break

1 – 1:45 p.m. Tautog Management Board

· Consider Technical Committee Report on Commercial Tagging Program

1 – 5 p.m. Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) Steering Committee

2 – 4 p.m. Horseshoe Crab Management Board

· Consider Results of Stakeholder Survey on Delaware Bay Management Objectives

· Set 2024 Delaware Bay Harvest Specifications

· Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports for the 2022 Fishing Year

4:15 – 5 p.m. Shad and River Herring Management Board

· Consider Update to New Hampshire River Herring Sustainable Fishery Management Plan and Proposal to Reopen Fishery

· Progress Update on River Herring Benchmark Stock Assessment

· Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports for the 2022 Fishing Year

Tuesday, October 17

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Coordinating Council

· Consider FY2023 ACCSP Project and Administrative Proposals for Funding

· Consider SciFish Policies for ACCSP’s Citizen Science Mobile Application

· Program and Committee Updates

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Presentation on NOAA Fisheries Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey Design and Estimates

12:15 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch Break

1 – 5 p.m. Law Enforcement Committee

· Update on Tautog Tagging Program

· Update on Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum II

· Update on Guidelines for Resource Managers on the Enforceability of Fishery Management Measures

· Discuss New England Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Efforts to Reduce Sturgeon Bycatch in the Spiny Dogfish Fishery

· Review Wildlife Officer Exchange Program

· Update on Species Management Boards

1:30 – 3 p.m. Atlantic Menhaden Management Board

· Progress Update on Ecological Reference Point Benchmark Assessment

· Review Virginia Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Study Design Report

· Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports for the 2022 Fishing Year Review

3:15 – 4:45 p.m. Coastal Pelagics Management Board

· Set 2024-2026 Cobia Recreational Measures

· Update on Cobia Benchmark Stock Assessment Timeline

· Elect Vice-Chair

5 – 5:45 p.m. Coastal Sharks Management Board

· Set Specifications for 2024 Fishing Year

· Update on NOAA Fisheries Ongoing Management Actions

· Elect Vice-Chair

Wednesday, October 18

8 – 10 a.m. Executive Committee

· Review and Consider Approval of FY23 Audit

· Discuss Per Diem Rate for Meals and Incidentals

· Legislative Update

· Future Annual Meeting Update

8:30 – 11:45 a.m. Law Enforcement Committee (continued)

10:15 – 11:45 a.m. Business Session of the Commission

· Consider 2024 Action Plan

· Review Draft 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

· Elect Commission Chair and Vice-Chair

11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Captain David H. Hart Award Luncheon

1 – 1:45 p.m. Spiny Dogfish Management Board

· Review Atlantic Sturgeon Fishery Management Action Team/Plan Development Team Alternatives

· Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports for the 2022-2023 Fishing Year

1 – 5 p.m. Habitat Committee

· Status Updates: Habitat Management Series, Habitat Hotline Atlantic, and Habitat Fact Sheets

· Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Update

2 – 5 p.m. Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board

· Consider Approval of Draft Addendum II for Public Comment

Thursday, October 19

8:30 a.m. – Noon Habitat Committee (continued)

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. American Eel Management Board

· Progress Update on Development of Draft Addenda VI and VII

· Advisory Panel Report

· Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports for the 2022 Fishing Year

9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board

· Consider Revised Conservation Equivalency Policy and Technical Guidance Document

· Stock Assessment Progress Reports

· Committee Updates

· Law Enforcement Committee

· Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership

· Habitat Committee

· Review Compliance Findings, if necessary

11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Lunch Break

12:15- 1:30 p.m. Sciaenids Management Board

· Review Annual Update to Black Drum Indicators

· Consider Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance Reports for the 2022 Fishing Year

· Progress Update on Red Drum, Spot, and Atlantic Croaker Benchmark Stock Assessments

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 use a speaker sign-up list in deciding 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 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 (September 25) will be included in the briefing materials.

2. Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 10 will be included in supplemental materials.

3. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, October 13 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.

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 American Eel Board Accepts Benchmark Assessment & Peer Review Report for Management Use Two Addenda Initiated for Yellow Eel and Maine Glass Eel Fisheries

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

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Eel Management Board has accepted the American Eel Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for management use. The Report indicates the stock is at or near historically low levels due to a combination of historical overfishing, habitat loss, food web alterations, predation, turbine mortality, environmental changes, and toxins, contaminants, and disease. Since completion of the first Commission American eel stock assessment in 2005, available data have not allowed overfishing or overfished determinations to be made. Based on several trend analyses, the stock is considered depleted, consistent with the findings of the 2012 and 2017 assessments.

In response to the assessment findings, the Board initiated an addendum to consider changes to the coastwide yellow eel harvest cap. Historically, the coastwide cap of 916,473 pounds was set based on the average landings from 1998 to 2010. The benchmark assessment proposes a new tool for setting the coastwide cap based on abundance indices and catch. The addendum will consider using this tool to recommend a range of coastwide caps and management options.

The Board also initiated an addendum to address the quota for Maine’s glass eel fishery. Maine’s glass eel quota has been set at 9,688 pounds since 2015. However, a new addendum is needed to establish a quota for the 2025 fishing year and beyond.

The Plan Development Team will begin work on both documents, with a progress update provided to the Board in October and Draft Addenda presented for Board consideration in February 2024. The Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report will be available on the Commission website at https://asmfc.org/species/american-eel (under stock assessment reports) by mid-August. An overview of the assessment will be can be found athttps://asmfc.org/uploads/file/64caa25eAmericanEelStockAssessmentOverview_August2023.pdf. For more information, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org.

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 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

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

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.

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.

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!

Lund’s Fisheries’ Jeff Kaelin Appointed to Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as Gov. Murphy’s Proxy

July 9, 2023 — The following was released by the Garden State Seafood Association:

The Garden State Seafood Association is pleased to announce that Mr. Jeff Kaelin, of Lund’s Fisheries in Cape May, New Jersey has been confirmed by the Senate as Governor Phil Murphy’s proxy to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). This represents the first time in nearly twenty years that New Jersey commercial fishermen have had a representative on the ASMFC.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is a regional multi-state compact with each state having three voting members. New Jersey has been the only state on the commission that lacks a commercial representative and we are excited that the Governor and NJDEP agree that both commercial and recreational fishermen should have representation.

Mr. Kaelin has been a competent and fair Council member during his time at the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council. He is well-respected and takes his role and responsibilities very seriously. We believe Mr. Kaelin is an excellent choice to represent the State of New Jersey on the ASMFC. He possesses extensive knowledge of many aspects of New Jersey’s marine issues that impact commercial and recreational sectors. He is familiar with the administrative and regulatory issues that are an integral part of being an effective Commission member. On behalf of New Jersey, he remains a real asset to the complex world of fisheries management, and the precious marine resources of our State and Nation. And he is dedicated to continuing his fair and balanced advocacy on behalf of all New Jersey fishermen and fisherwomen and all our marine fisheries resources.

“I am extremely honored to have been chosen by Governor Murphy for this position, and thank Senate President Scutari and Senator Testa for supporting me through the confirmation process. It has been a long wait and I’m excited to get to work on behalf of New Jersey,” said Kaelin.

“New Jersey has the most amazing marine environment, with the Cold Pool offering our State and region a one-of-a-kind destination for a wide variety of marine creatures,” said Kaelin. “I look forward to working with the Commission to support New Jersey’s recreational and commercial fishing communities while ensuring sustainable fishery resources for future generations.”

Garden State Seafood Association (GSSA), is an association comprised of commercial fishermen, shore-based processors, commercial dock facilities, seafood markets, restaurants, and various industry supported businesses from New Jersey.