Saving Seafood

ASMFC 2025 Winter Meeting Supplemental Materials Now Available

January 29, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Supplemental materials for the Commission’s 2025 Winter Meeting are now available athttps://www.asmfc.org/home/2025-winter-meeting for the following Boards/Committees. The combined file of all supplemental materials is available athttps://asmfc.org/files/2025WinterMeeting/2025WinterMeetingSupplemental_Combined.pdf

 

American Lobster Management Board – Lobster Conservation Management Team Area 2 Meeting Summary

 

Spiny Dogfish Management Board – Advisory Panel Review of Draft Addendum VII

 

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board – Revised Draft Agenda & Meeting Overview; Technical Committee and Stock Assessment Subcommittee Memo: Recommendation on Stock Assessment Schedule; Advisory Panel Nomination; Public Comment

 

Executive Committee – Extension Request to Provide a Response to the Audit Resolution Determination Letter issued October 2, 2024

 

 

Webinar Information

Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, February 4, at 9 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be Noon on Wednesday, February 5). To register for the webinar, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1665035982583617623  (Webinar ID 606-647-923).

 

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 709-788-873. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar.

 

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

 

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

 

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 opportunities 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 comments 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 comments 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 (January 13) will be included in the briefing materials.
  2. Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, January 28, will be included in supplemental materials.
  3. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, January 31, 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 Releases for Public Comment the Public Information/Scoping Document for Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment

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

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission releases for public comment the Public Information/Scoping Document for the Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass and Bluefish. The document is a joint effort of the Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council given the species are managed cooperatively by the Commission in state waters (0-3 miles) and by the Council and NOAA Fisheries in federal waters (3-200 miles).

 
As the first step in the amendment process, the document solicits public input on the potential development of an amendment to consider modifications to the recreational management of summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. Specifically, the amendment may consider options for managing for-hire recreational fisheries separately from other recreational fishing modes (referred to as sector separation), as well as options related to the collection and use of recreational data, such as private angler reporting and enhanced for-hire vessel trip reporting requirements.
 
Scoping is the first and best opportunity to provide input on the range of issues to be addressed through this action. There will be additional opportunities to provide comments. However, comments early in the development of this action will help the Commission and Council identify issues of concern and determine which types of management options should be further developed. Following the initial phase of information gathering and public comment, the Commission and Council will evaluate potential management options and develop a draft amendment for public review. After the next round of public comment, the Commission and Council will identify the management measures to be included in the Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment. A tentative schedule for the completion of the amendment is included in the scoping document.

 

 
Submitting Comments
The Public Information/Scoping Document is available at https://asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/SFSBSB_BF_RecAmendment_PublicInfo-Scoping_Jan2025.pdf. All those interested in the management of summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish are encouraged to provide input by 11:59 PM (EST) on March 20, 2025 by participating in public hearings (details to be released in a subsequent press release) or by providing written comment. Written comment may be submitted through any of the following methods: online viahttps://mafmc.knack.com/public-comments#rec-sector-separation-data-collection/; mailed to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, at 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; or emailed to Kiley Dancy at kdancy@mafmc.org (Subject line: Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection).

ASMFC 2025 Winter Meeting Final Agenda and Materials Now Available

January 22, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Winter Meeting will be February 4 – 5, 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 Winter Meeting are now available athttps://www.asmfc.org/home/2025-winter-meeting; click on the relevant Board/Committee name to access the documents for that Board/Committee. For ease of access, all boards have been combined into one document –
https://asmfc.org/files/2025WinterMeeting/2025WinterMeetingMaterialsCombined.pdf. Supplemental materials will be posted to the website on Wednesday, January 29.
 
Please note the Atlantic Menhaden Work Group on Precautionary Management in Chesapeake Bay meeting scheduled for February 5 (1 – 5 p.m.) is a separate meeting from the Commission’s Winter Meeting, and will not be live-streamed through the Winter Meeting webinar link. Information on the meeting can be found at https://asmfc.org/calendar/2/2025/Atlantic-Menhaden-Work-Group-on-Precautionary-Management-in-Chesapeake-Bay-/2493. This is not an Atlantic Menhaden Management Board meeting, but a working meeting of the Work Group. Board members and the public are welcome to listen in, but there will be limited opportunity to provide comments during the meeting. For transparency, if you intend to record the meeting, you should let staff know prior to the meeting.


 
Additionally, a meeting of the Sciaenids Management Board has been added to the agenda on February 4 from 2:15 – 2:45 p.m. Some meetings on February 4 have shifted slightly.

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.


Webinar Information 
Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, February 4, at 9 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be Noon on Wednesday, February 5). To register for the webinar, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1665035982583617623. (Webinar ID 606-647-923).
 
If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 709-788-873. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar.
 
For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.
 
Each day, the webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the first meeting so people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter. If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790. 
 
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 opportunities 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 comments 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 comments 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 (January 13) will be included in the briefing materials.
2.   Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, January 28, will be included in supplemental materials.
3.   Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, January 31, 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 Winter Meeting.  

Northern Shrimp Section Releases Draft Amendment 4 for Public Comment States to Conduct Public Hearings in February

January 16, 2025 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section approved for public comment, Draft Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Northern Shrimp. The Draft Amendment considers options for setting multi-year moratoria and implementing management triggers. Management trigger options include biologic and environmental triggers comprised of indicators that would signal improvement in stock conditions and the potential to re-open the fishery.

The Atlantic coastal states of Maine though Massachusetts have scheduled hearings to gather public input on Draft Amendment 4. Some hearings will be conducted in-person, and some hearings will be conducted via webinar. If you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the virtual hearings. The public hearing details follow:

 

Date and Hearing Format
State/Agency
Contact
Tuesday, February 18
Webinar Hearing
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.  
207.446.8126
Thursday, February 20
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept. and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.  
603.868.1095
508.264.4157
Monday, February 24
In-person Hearing
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Hearing Location:
Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission
297 Bath Road
Wiscasset, Maine 04578
207.446.0932
Tuesday, February 25
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Maine Dept. of Marine Resources, New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept., and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.  
703.842.0714
The last time a new plan amendment to the Northern Shrimp FMP was adopted was in 2017 (Amendment 3). Since then, the status of the northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) stock has remained unchanged with a depleted stock status and continued fishing moratorium. Given the poor condition of the stock, the Section supported initiation of a new plan amendment to consider several changes to the FMP including to the current management program requirement of annual specifications and addition of management triggers for stock monitoring. Through extending the specifications timeline, the Section may implement multi-year moratoria on harvest rather than meeting annually to implement a new moratorium for the following year. A management trigger for the stock could inform when a moratorium should be re-evaluated if improved stock conditions are evident, indicated through recruitment trends or changes in Gulf of Maine temperature.
Webinar Instructions
Please note that in order to comment during virtual webinar hearings you will need to use your computer or download the GoTo app for your phone. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. In those cases, you can send your comments to staff via email or US mail at any time during the public comment period. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 631.992.3221 and enter access code 271-746-683. If you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the virtual hearings.
For all virtual hearings, please click HERE and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu to register for a public hearing webinar. Hearings 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 GoTo. We recommend you register for the hearing well in advance of the hearing 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 and provide input at the hearing.
Hearing Presentation Recording
For those who cannot attend any in-person or virtual hearings, the Commission will also post a recording of the hearing presentation on the Commission’s YouTube page so that stakeholders may watch the presentation and submit comment at any time during the comment process. This recording will be available by early February, with the recording link provided at https://asmfc.org/about-us/public-input.
Submitting Comments
The Draft Amendment is available athttp://asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/DraftAmd4_ForPublicComment_Jan2025.pdf or on the Commission’s Public Input webpage at https://asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. All those interested in the management of northern shrimp are encouraged to provide input either by participating in public hearings, which may be conducted in-person or via webinar, or providing written comment. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on March 11, 2025 and should be sent to Chelsea Tuohy, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201; or atcomments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Northern Shrimp Draft Amendment 4). For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy at ctuohy@asmfc.org.

NH and Maine lobstermen push back against new size rule amid economic fears

January 15, 2025 — A new regulation on catchable lobster size could significantly reduce lobster hauls this summer, according to industry members, with local lawmakers expressing concerns about its impact on the Seacoast economy.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), which oversees certain species along the Atlantic coast, is implementing a change that will increase the minimum size for catchable lobsters in states including Maine and New Hampshire over the next two years.

The regulation involves an increase in the size of the gauge used by fishermen to measure lobster length to determine if they can be caught or must be released. The minimum gauge size will rise from 3.25 inches to 3.375 inches by July 1, 2025, as stated by the ASMFC. This size will further increase to 3.5 inches by July 1, 2027.

Read the full article at Seacoastonline

ASMFC leaves rockfish regulations unchanged

December 27, 2024 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has left rockfish regulations unchanged.

The decision responds to the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicates that while the resource remains overfished, it is not currently experiencing overfishing. Projections estimate an increase in fishing mortality in 2025 due to the above-average 2018 year-class entering the current recreational ocean slot limit, combined with the lack of strong year-classes behind it. To address these concerns, the Board plans to explore a range of reductions for both recreational and commercial fisheries, including adjustments to season and size limits that account for regional differences, as well as potential no-harvest and no-targeting closures.

“We understand that many will be disappointed in the Board’s decision to initiate an addendum versus taking immediate action,” said Board Chair Megan Ware from Maine. “However, after deliberating for more than three hours about the path forward, the Board came to the conclusion that the best course of action is to proceed with an addendum which will allow for clarity on 2024 removals and additional analyses.”

Read the full article at Shore Daily News

ASMFC Votes to Keep Striped Bass Regulations for 2025 Season

December 17, 2024 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) met Monday to discuss the status of striped bass populations and consider changes to 2025 management measures. Despite concerns over below-average striped bass numbers in the Chesapeake Bay, the commission voted to keep current recreational fishing regulations in place for another year, wait for more population data to be released from the 2024 Stock Assessment, and decide on regulations for the 2026 season.

The decision follows the results of the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicated that while the resource remains overfished, it is not currently experiencing overfishing. The ASMFC’s goal is to rebuild the striped bass stock by 2029.

n January, the ASMFC approved new rules limiting recreational anglers to keeping only one fish within the 19- to 24-inch slot size, with larger fish over 25 inches designated as breeders. Charter boat captains, who are grouped with recreational anglers, reported significant financial impacts this past season due to the restrictions.

Read the full article at WBOC

Atlantic Striped Bass Board Initiates Addendum to Consider 2026 Management Measures

December 17, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has initiated Draft Addendum III to consider recreational and commercial management measures for 2026 to support rebuilding the stock by 2029. Options will consider a range of reductions for the recreational and commercial fisheries. Recreational reductions will consider season and size limits that take into account regional differences, including no-harvest and no-targeting closures. Final action is planned for no later than October 2025 with implementation in early 2026.

 
“We want to thank the thousands of members of the public who took the time to provide thoughtful comments ahead of this Board meeting,” said Board Chair Megan Ware from Maine. “We understand that many will be disappointed in the Board’s decision to initiate an addendum versus taking immediate action. However, after deliberating for more than three hours about the path forward, the Board came to the conclusion that the best course of action is to proceed with an addendum which will allow for clarity on 2024 removals and additional analyses.”
 
The action responds to the results of the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicates the resource remains overfished but is not experiencing overfishing. Short-term projections estimate an increase in fishing mortality in 2025 due to the above average 2018 year-class entering the current recreational ocean slot limit combined with the lack of strong year-classes behind it. This action is intended to increase the probability of rebuilding the stock by adjusting subsequent 2026 management measures to ensure the stock is on the necessary rebuilding trajectory.


 
At the meeting, the Board considered two possible paths forward. The first was to take immediate Board action to reduce fishing mortality in 2025. The second was a longer, more comprehensive process given one of the primary options being considered is seasonal closures, which represents a new management approach for the Board. Ultimately, the Board chose the second path by initiating an addendum that would provide the Board more time to develop a fuller suite of management options, allow for the incorporation of full 2024 fishery removals data, and afford the public with a more robust opportunity to provide input. The Board noted preliminary data indicate the current measures implemented through Addendum II are on track to reduce 2024 removals from 2023 and 2022 levels. The Board also recognized the importance of the thousands of public comments submitted for this meeting and the upcoming public input through the addendum process on 2026 management measures.

MAINE: Moratorium on fishing Maine shrimp to continue through 2025

December 16, 2024 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section is maintaining the current moratorium on northern shrimp fishing through the 2025 fishing year. That makes 11 years of no commercial shrimp fishing in Maine.

That action followed the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, “which indicates the northern shrimp stock has been at low levels of biomass for over the past decade despite the fishery being under a moratorium since 2014,” said the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in a Dec. 13 news relesae.

The Update found no improvement in stock status and 2023 summer survey indices of abundance, biomass, and recruitment were the lowest in the 1984-2023 time-series.

There will be a pilot industry-funded winter sampling program for 2025 with a research set-aside quota of 26.5 metric tons (or approximately 58,400 pounds).

Read the full article at the Penobscot Bay Pilot

Public Comment Summary for December 16 meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Now Available

December 13, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The summary of public comment for the December 16 meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board is available on the meeting page at https://www.asmfc.org/home/December-2024-AtlStripedBassBoard-meeting as well as through the following direct link.

 
 
As a reminder, the details on the webinar and meeting process follow.
 
Webinar Information 
The meeting will be broadcast via webinar; to register for the webinar, please go tohttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4124340027335222108

(Webinar ID 586-838-579).

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 389-192-580. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar. For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.
 
The webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting so people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter. If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790. 


Meeting Process 
The Board Chair 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 Board Chair will also provide the opportunity for comment at the meeting, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda. The Chair has the discretion in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities. This could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition of a motion until the Chair is satisfied further comments will not provide additional insight to the Board.