Saving Seafood

Aggregated Large Coastal Shark and Hammerhead Shark Management Groups Reduced to 3 Sharks per Trip

March 30, 2016 — The following was released by the National Marine Fisheries Service:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is reducing the retention limit for the commercial aggregated large coastal shark (LCS) and hammerhead shark management groups for directed shark limited access permit holders in the Atlantic region from 36 to 3 large coastal sharks (other than sandbar sharks) per vessel per trip as of 11:30 p.m. on April 2, 2016. As agreed upon by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Coastal Sharks Management Board (in December 2015), the Commission will follow NMFS for in-season changes to the retention limit.

NMFS takes this action because 24% or 6.6 mt dressed weight (dw) of the available quota for the hammerhead shark fishery has been harvested. If the average catch rate continues, it is projected that landings would reach 80% of the quota by mid-May. The LCS management group is affected because the quotas for the LCS and hammerhead shark management groups are linked.

The retention limit for the LCS and hammerhead shark management groups will remain at 3 large coastal sharks (other than sandbar sharks) per vessel per trip in the Atlantic region (federal and state waters) through the remainder of the 2016 fishing season or until NMFS announces via the Federal Register that another adjustment to the retention limit or a fishery closure is warranted. As previously stated, NMFS intends to increase the commercial retention limit around July 15, 2016, as this was the date used for recent prior season opening dates. However, any future change in the retention limit will not be made unless deemed appropriate.

Read the ASFMC release

ASMFC Releases 2015 Annual Report

March 2, 2015 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is pleased to provide you with our 2015 Annual Report, http://www.asmfc.org/files/pub/ASMFC_AnnualReport_2015.pdf. It describes the Commission’s activities and progress in carrying out our public trust responsibilities for the valuable marine fisheries under Commission stewardship. Included in this report are figures displaying the historical trends in stock status or landings for each species managed by the Commission.  Also provided is a summary of the significant management actions Commissioners took in 2015 to maintain and restore the abundance of Commission managed species. 

This report reflects our Commissioners’ commitment to accountability and transparency in all they do to manage and rebuild stocks under their care. We hope that you will find the information contained within this report useful and interesting. 

ASMFC 2016 Winter Meeting Final Agenda and Meeting Materials Now Available

January 21, 2016 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The final agenda and meeting materials for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2016 Winter Meeting can be obtained at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2016-winter-meeting; click on the relevant Board/Committee name to access the documents for that Board/Committee.  For ease of access, all Board and Section materials have been combined into one PDF. 

The agenda is subject to change. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of meetings. Interested parties should anticipate meetings starting earlier or later than indicated herein.

Board/Section meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning at 9:00 a.m. on February 2nd and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 3:45 p.m.) on February 4th. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board/section deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur. No comments or questions will be accepted via the webinar. Should technical difficulties arise while streaming the broadcast, the boards/sections will continue their deliberations without interruption. We will attempt to resume the broadcast as soon as possible. To register for the webinar, please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/86228471613051649.

As a reminder, the guidelines for 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) are as follows: 

1.   Comments received 3 weeks prior to the start of a meeting week will be included with the main meeting materials.

2.   Comments received by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday immediately preceding the scheduled ASMFC Meeting (in this case, the Tuesday deadline will be January 26, 2016) will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting and a limited number of copies will be provided at the meeting.

3.   Following the Tuesday, January 26, 2016 5:00 PM deadline, the commenter will be responsible for distributing the information to the management board prior to the board meeting or providing enough copies for the management board consideration at the meeting (a minimum of 50 copies).

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, fax, and email.

Fate of New England shrimp fishery will be decided soon

November 23, 2015 — ELLSWORTH — Fishermen wondering whether there will be a shrimp season this winter won’t have long to wait for an answer.

On Monday, Dec. 7, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section and Advisory Panel will meet in Portsmouth, N.H., to decide whether boats from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts will be allowed to this winter. Last year, the regulators imposed a moratorium on fishing because scientists said the shrimp stock was on the verge of collapse.

Next month, the scientific advisory panel will meet to review the 2015 Stock Status Report and develop recommendations for the 2016 fishing season. The section will meet later in the day to set specifications for the 2016 fishing season, if there is to be one, after reviewing the 2015 Stock Status Report and the advisory panel recommendations.

Information from the ASMFC suggests that another moratorium is likely. According to surveys in the Gulf of Maine, between 2012 and 2014 the abundance of shrimp and the size of the shrimp biomass were at their lowest levels in the 31-year history of the survey. The 2014 fishable biomass was the lowest on record.”

The presence of juvenile shrimp in the survey was discouraging as well. Shrimp hatched during 2013 were not expected to reach fishable size until 2017 and the level of recruitment in 2014 was the ninth lowest since the surveys began.

In a document prepared to introduce the public to proposed changes to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Plan (which have been postponed), the ASMFC said that scientists believed that “the northern shrimp stock has collapsed with little prospect of recovery in the near future.

Read the full story at The Ellsworth American

ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board Revises 2016 Black Sea Bass Specifications & Initiates Draft Addendum for Regional Management of 2016 Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Recreational Fisheries

November 5th, 2015 — St. Augustine, FL — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved increases to the 2016 black sea bass commercial quota and recreational harvest limit (RHL), with the commercial quota now being set at 2.71 million pounds and the RHL at 2.88 million pounds. These increases are consistent with actions taken by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in October.  The increased quota for black sea bass was based on updated catch and survey information. A black sea bass benchmark stock assessment is underway for completion in December 2016.

The Board initiated development of Draft Addendum XXVII to the Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plans (FMP) to consider extending use of regional management approaches for the 2016 recreational summer flounder fishery, including an option that would allow for a Delaware Bay specific region. The Draft Addendum also will propose extending use of ad-hoc regional management approaches for black sea bass recreational fisheries in 2016 and 2017. In the event the options in Draft Addendum XXVII are not approved for management, the Board extended the current summer flounder regional management approach for use in 2016.

In 2014, the Board approved Addendum XXV to shift away from traditional use of state-by-state harvest targets under conservation equivalency to use of an alternative regional strategy for managing summer flounder recreational fisheries. Based on its success in keeping recreational harvest within the RHL and providing greater regulatory consistency among neighboring states, this strategy was extended for use in 2015. State-by-state harvest targets previously utilized under conservation equivalency created difficulties for some states as overages occurred due largely to state shares and limits not reflecting local summer flounder abundance and its availability to recreational fishermen. In 2014 and 2015 management regions were the following: Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Connecticut-New Jersey; Delaware-Virginia; and North Carolina.

The Draft Addendum also will propose the continued use of regional management for the 2016 black sea bass recreational fishery with a northern (Massachusetts – New Jersey) and southern region (Delaware – North Carolina). The regional management approach has been used since 2011 and offers advantages over coastwide regulations by addressing geographic differences in the stock (size, abundance and seasonality) while maintaining the consistent application of management measures by neighboring states.

Draft Addendum XXVII will be presented to the Board for its consideration and approval for public comment at its joint meeting with the Council in December. At the December meeting, the Board and Council also will consider black sea bass and scup federal management measures for 2016. For more information, please contact Kirby Rootes-Murdy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at krootes-murdy@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

ASMFC 74th Annual Meeting Final Agenda and Meeting Materials Now Available

October 22, 2015 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The final agenda and meeting materials for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 74th Annual Meeting can be obtained at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2015-Annual-Meeting; click on the relevant Board/Committee name to access the documents for that Board/Committee. The agenda is subject to change. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of meetings. Interested parties should anticipate meetings starting earlier or later than indicated herein.

For ease of access, meeting materials for all the Boards/Sections, including the ISFMP Policy Board and Business Session are combined into one PDF (http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/2015AnnualMeeting/CombinedFiles.pdf). This PDF does not include materials for any other committees that will be meeting; nor does it include the Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review of Red Drum, which can obtained at http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/2015AnnualMeeting/RedDrumAssmt.pdf.Some documents may be large, so please be patient downloading. Supplemental materials will be posted to the website next Wednesday, October 28th.

Board/Section meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning at 8:00 a.m. on November 2nd, continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 1:45 p.m.) on November 5th.  The webinar will allow registrants to listen to the proceedings of the Commission’s management boards/sections during the  74th Annual Meeting, November 2-5, 2015. Registrants will also be able to view presentations and motions as they occur. No comments or questions will be accepted via the webinar. Should technical difficulties arise during the streaming of the broadcast, the boards/sections will continue their deliberations without interruption. We will attempt to resume the broadcast as soon as possible. To register for the webinar, please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2086181846563838978.

Board/Section summaries, presentations, and audio files will be available at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2015-Annual-Meeting the week of November 9th.

As a reminder, the guidelines for 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) are as follows: 

1.   Comments received 3 weeks prior to the start of a meeting week will be included with the main meeting materials.

2.   Comments received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 27, 2015 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting and a limited number of copies will be provided at the meeting.

3.   Following the Tuesday, October 27, 2015 5:00 PM deadline, the commenter will be responsible for distributing the information to the management board prior to the board meeting or providing enough copies for the management board consideration at the meeting (a minimum of 50 copies).

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, fax, and email.

CONNECTICUT: Managers consider how to save southern New England lobsters

October 2, 2015 — OLD LYME, Connecticut (AP) — An interstate regulatory committee is set to meet to discuss new management possibilities for southern New England’s imperiled lobster population.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Southern New England Lobster Subcommittee is meeting in Old Lyme on Friday. The group will consider potential management tools to help preserve the species, which has crashed to record low levels.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at the Boston Herald

 

ASMFC: Atlantic Herring Area 1A’s Trimester 3 Landing Days

September 25, 2015 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, with input from industry, set a “days out” effort control measure to allow three (3) consecutive landing days per week in Area 1A during Trimester 3 (October 1 through December 31). Effective 12:01 AM, Monday, October 5, the Trimester 3 Atlantic herring fishery will move from zero landing days to three landings days. Vessels may fish and land Atlantic herring from 12:01 AM each Monday through midnight on Wednesday throughout Trimester 3. Thursday through Sunday are “no landing” days. Please note a state may implement different start and finish times for the three consecutive landing days.

Landings will be monitored closely and the directed fishery will be closed when landings reach 6,971 metric tons (mt). This value represents 92% of the Area 1A quota and accounts for Trimester 2 overages, and research and fixed gear set-asides.

In addition, the spawning area in Massachusetts-New Hampshire is closed until October 18. Vessels participating in other fisheries may possess no more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per trip in a spawning closure area.

Please contact Ashton Harp at aharp@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740 for more information.

ASMFC Atlantic Herring Trimester 3 Days Out Conference Call — September 24th at 9 AM

September 15, 2015 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section member states of Maine, New Hampshire and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will meet via conference call on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 9 AM to discuss Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) days out measures for the Trimester 3 fishery (October 1 – December 31). To join the conference all, dial 1.888.394.8197 and enter passcode 499811.  For more information, please contact Ashton Harp, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at aharp@asmfc.org.

ASMFC 74th Annual Meeting Details, Preliminary Agenda and Public Comment Guidelines

August 28, 2015 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Please find below the preliminary agenda and public comment guidelines for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 74th Annual Meeting, which will be held November 2-5, 2015 at the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort in St. Augustine, FL. This email contains meeting details, including the preliminary agenda. All of the business meetings scheduled during this week (with the exception of closed sessions) are open to the public, free of charge.

Our Florida Commissioners have been working hard on the meeting details and are looking forward to welcoming you all to St. Augustine. Similar to our previous Annual Meetings in Florida, this meeting will be held jointly with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 66th Annual Meeting. We have scheduled some overlapping events to allow for you all to spend time with your colleagues from the Gulf.  Our nation’s oldest city, St. Augustine was founded 450 years ago along Florida’s historic coast. Here, history comes alive in red-brick lanes leading to centuries-old churches, in forts where soldiers still walk the grounds, and on horse-drawn carriage rides through time. Head just out of town and back to nature along 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches.

ACCOMODATIONS: A block of rooms is being held at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort (500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL).  Lisa Hartman(lhartman@asmfc.org) will make Commissioner/Proxy reservations and will contact you regarding the details of your accommodations. Please notify Lisa of any changes to your travel plans that will impact your hotel reservations (including late arrivals), otherwise you will incur no-show penalties. We greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter.  

For all other attendees, please make your reservations online at http://tinyurl.com/nlnogfn as soon as possible to obtain the negotiated room rate of $119.00 plus tax. Hotel reservations must be made before September 30, 2015. Room availability will not be guaranteed beyond this date.  Please be aware that you must guarantee your room reservation with a major credit card or one night’s advance payment and you must notify the hotel of any cancellation prior to 72 hours before arrival or you will be billed one night’s room plus tax. If you have any problems regarding accommodations, please contact Lisa at 703.842.0740 or lhartman@asmfc.org.  

PLEASE NOTE: The negotiated room rate will be available from October 30th through November 8th. If you plan on arriving on Saturday, you should make your reservation as soon as possible since the hotel will also be hosting the Georgia Football Team following Saturday’s Georgia-Florida game.

GETTING TO ST. AUGUSTINE: The World Golf Village Renaissance Resort is located in St. Augustine off of Interstate 95, and is easily accessible by either car or air. From the Jacksonville International Airport, take I-95 south to exit 323, International Golf Parkway. Following the exit, turn right onto International Golf Parkway, and right again into the main entrance to World Golf Village. Then follow signs to Hotel. The nearest major airport is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). This airport is 45 miles from the Resort. Self-parking is complimentary for overnight guests.  

REGISTRATION:  The meeting registration fee is $200/per participant and $150/per spouse or guest if you register by October 26, 2015. After October 26th and in St. Augustine the fees will be $225 and $175, respectively. The registration fee covers the Monday night reception, the Tuesday night dinner, and the Wednesday Hart Award Luncheon, as well event materials. Payment is not required until you arrive at the meeting; however, we ask that you please assist us in planning for the meeting by registering as soon as possible. You may register by returning the attached registration form (by email, fax, or US mail) or online at http://mahi.accsp.org:8080/myJSPs/registration74thAnnualMtg.html. Once you have registered, payment can be made in several ways (1) check, cash or credit card at the ASMFC Registration Desk at the Annual Meeting; (2) credit card by calling Lisa Hartman at 703.842.0744; or (3) mail a check to ASMFC at 1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201. Please note all board/committee members attending the Annual Meeting will be reimbursed for the full pre-registration fee. However, late registration fees will not be reimbursed.

FISHING TOURNAMENT: Plans are well underway for the 24th Annual Laura Leach Fishing Tournament. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate. You will receive a t-shirt with your $20 entry fee with 100% of the tournament proceeds going to kids’ fishing programs in Florida. If you intend to fish, a fishing license can be obtained at https://license.myfwc.com or by visiting a local tackle shop that sells licenses.  The tournament runs from Sunday (11/1) through Wednesday morning (11/4); the raffle drawing and tournament prizes will be awarded at Wednesday Awards Luncheon.  Additional information about kayak rentals, fishing locations, tackle shops, etc. will be provided to tournament anglers. 

FOR SPOUSES/GUESTS: The Monday Morning Social for Spouses and Guests will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the hotel. On Tuesday, Ancient City Tours will take spouses and guests to some of the notable historic sites in St. Augustine, including the Fountain of Youth (remember to drink the water!), the Lightner Museum, and Castillo de San Marcos Fort.  Sit back as the driver shares the history and sights of our Nation’s Oldest City on the Old Town Trolley tour.  Lunch will be provided at the Five Flags Café.

The final agenda and meeting materials will be available on October 22, 2015 on the Commission website at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2015-Annual-Meeting. We look forward to seeing you all in St. Augustine in November!

 

Preliminary Agenda 

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.

 

Sunday, November 1, 2015

 

2:00 – 5:30 p.m.                                Registration

 

Monday, November 2, 2015

 

7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                      Registration

 

8:00 – 10:30 a.m.                              American Lobster Management Board

·         Discuss Management Response to the 2015 American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report

o   Report from Subcommittee (Subset of Board, Lobster Conservation Management Team and Technical Committee Members) Input on the Southern New England Stock

o   Technical Committee Report

·         Discussion and Initiation of an Addendum to Set Effort Controls for Jonah Crab-only Trap Fishermen

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2015 American Lobster Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

·         Review and Consider Approval of Advisory Panel Membership

 

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.                  Atlantic Herring Section

·         Set Fishery Specifications for 2016-2018

·         Review and Consider Approval of Draft Amendment 3 for Public Comment

 

1:45 – 3:45 p.m.                                Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board

·         Review Wave 4 Data (if available) for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Recreational Harvest and Discuss Potential Implications for 2016 Management

·         Consider Continuing the Ad-Hoc Approaches to Regional Management for Black Sea Bass

·         Consider Approval of the Terms of Reference for the Black Sea Bass Benchmark Stock Assessment

·         Review the  2015/2016 Black Sea Bass Quotas Based on the Outcome of the September 2015 Mid-Atlantic Fishery management Council Science and Statistical Committee Meeting

·         Update Board on Scup Scoping/Public Information Document for Amendment

·         Update Board on the Schedule of Assessment Updates for Summer Flounder and Scup

 

2:00 – 3:00 p.m.                           Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Executive Committee

(A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for Committee members only)

·         Status Report (Program and Committee Updates)

·         Independent Program Review Progress

·         APAIS Update

·         Governance Update

·         Executive Committee Membership Standard Operating Procedures

·         Recommendations from the Operations and Advisory Committees on Project Funding

 

3:00 – 6:00 p.m.                                Registration

 

4:00 – 5:30 p.m.                                ACCSP Coordinating Council

·         Status Report (Program and Committee Updates)

·         Independent Program Review Progress

·         Governance Update

·         Executive Committee Membership Standard Operating Procedures

·         Recommendations from the Operations and Advisory Committees on Project Funding

·         Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

 

6:30 – 8:00 p.m.                                 Welcome Reception

 

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

 

7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.                      Registration

 

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.                            Executive Committee

(A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for Committee members and Commissioners only)

·         Review Guidance Documents

·         Review Fiscal Year 2015 Audit 

 

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.                      Habitat Committee

·         Discuss Improvements to Habitat Factsheet Content and Rollout

·         Review 2015 Work Plan and Set 2016 Work Plan

·         Discuss Progress on Fishery Management Plan Amendments, Habitat Bottlenecks White Paper, and Sciaenid Habitat Source Document

8:30 a.m. – Noon                              Joint Meeting of the SEAMAP-SA and GSMFC Crustacean Workgroups

 

10:15 – 11:15 a.m.                            American Eel Management Board

·         Technical Committee Report on Maine’s Life Cycle Survey Proposal

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2015 American Eel Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

 

11:30 a.m. – Noon                           Weakfish Management Board

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2015 Weakfish Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

·         Update on 2016 Benchmark Stock Assessment

 

Noon – 1:30 p.m.                             Legislators and Governors’ Appointees Luncheon

 

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.                             Winter Flounder Management Board

·         Review the Groundfish Assessment and Review Meeting Stock Assessment Update Results for the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, and Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Stocks

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2015 Winter Flounder Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

 

2:00 – 4:30 p.m.                             Registration

 

3:15 – 5:45 p.m.                                Atlantic Menhaden Management Board

·         Update on Working Group’s Progress for Ecosystem Management Objectives and Allocation

·         Discuss Allowance of Cast Nets Under the Bycatch Provision of Amendment 2

·         Provide Guidance to Plan Development Team on the Development of the Public Information Document for Draft Amendment 3

 

6:30 – 9:30 p.m.                                Annual Dinner at the Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park                                                                   

 

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

 

8:00 – 10:00 a.m.                              Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board

·         Review 2015 Stock Assessment Update and Projections on Reaching Coastwide Fishing Mortality Target with Addendum IV Regulations

·         Technical Committee Report on Coastwide and Fleet-specific Fishing Mortality Reference Points

 

8:30 a.m. – Noon                              Law Enforcement Committee

(A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for Committee members, authorized law enforcement personnel, and LEC Coordinators only)

·          ISFMP Species Board Issues

·         Federal and State Agency Reports

·         Discussion of Atlantic Striped Bass Compliance Report Needs for 2016

·         Review 2015 Action Plan Completion and 2016 Action Plan Items

·         Closed Session (as needed, to discuss ongoing enforcement activities)

 

10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.                  Tautog Management Board

·         Review Public Comment on the Public Information Document to Draft Amendment 1

·         Provide Guidance to Plan Development Team on the Development of Draft Amendment 1

·         Review and Consider Approval of Advisory Panel Membership

 

12:15 – 1:45 p.m.                              ASMFC Captain David H. Hart & GSMFC Lyles-Simpson Awards Luncheon

 

1:45 – 5:45 p.m.                                Joint Meeting of the ASMFC Law Enforcement Committee and the GSMFC Law Enforcement Advisory Committee

 

1:45 – 2:45 p.m.                              Business Session

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2016 Annual Action Plan

·         Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

·         Review Non-compliance Findings (if necessary)

 

2:00 – 6:00 p.m.                                Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) Steering Committee

·         Discuss Outcomes of the Recent Science and Data Committee Meeting and Next Steps for the Steering Committee

·         Receive Updates on the Implementation Plan

·         Discuss Potential Goals and Objectives for Next Conservation Strategic Plan

·         Approve FY2016 Projects for Recommendation to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

 

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.                                Coastal Sharks Management Board

·         Set 2016 Specifications Based on Federal Quotas (if available)

·         Update on NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Amendment 6 Final Rule and Draft Amendment 9

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2014 Coastal Sharks Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

 

4:15 – 5:15 p.m.                                Spiny Dogfish Management Board

·         Set Specifications for Spiny Dogfish

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2014 Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

 

Thursday, November 5, 2015

 

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.                                Horseshoe Crab Management Board

·         Horseshoe Crab Technical Committee Report

o   Shorebird and Horseshoe Crab Survey Reports Summary

o   Adaptive Resource Management Framework Harvest Output for 2016

·         Set Specifications for the 2016 Delaware Bay Fishery

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2015 Horseshoe Crab Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

·         Update on the Virginia Tech Horseshoe Crab Trawl Survey

 

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.                    ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)

 

9:15 – 11:15 a.m.                              Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board 

·         Atlantic Sturgeon Stock Assessment Update

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2015 Atlantic Sturgeon Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Report

·         Habitat Committee Report

·         Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Report

·         Law Enforcement Committee Report

·         Management and Science Committee Report

 

11:15 – 11:45 a.m.                            Business Session (if necessary)

 

12:15 – 1:45 p.m.                              South Atlantic State/Federal Fisheries Management Board

·         Update on 2015 Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2015 Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

·         Review and Consider Approval of 2015 Spanish Mackerel Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance

·         Discuss Black Drum Compliance Report Deadline

 

Public Comment Guidelines

 

With the intent of developing policies in the Commission’s procedures for public participation that result in 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 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 3 weeks prior to the start of a meeting week will be included in the briefing materials.

2.    Comments received by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday, October 27, 2015 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting and a limited number of copies will be provided at the meeting.

3.    Following the Tuesday, October 27, 2015 5:00 PM deadline, the commenter will be responsible for distributing the information to the management board prior to the board meeting or providing enough copies for the management board consideration at the meeting (a minimum of 50 copies).

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, fax, and email.

Read the ASMFC Annual Meeting First Notice and Preliminary Agenda here