Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Archives - Page 21 of 126

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 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

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.

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!

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.

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 link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4130763363272991324

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.

ASMFC Cancels July 5 Meetings of the Atlantic Striped Bass Board, ISFMP Policy Board & Full Commission

June 27, 2023 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has cancelled virtual meetings of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board, Interstate Fisheries Management (ISFMP) Policy Board and the full Commission. The three bodies were tentatively scheduled to meet on July 5 to review compliance with the emergency action taken by the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board on May 2, 2023. However, since it is anticipated that all states and jurisdictions will have implemented regulations consistent with the required 31-inch maximum size limit for striped bass recreational fisheries by July 2, there is no need for the July 5 virtual meetings.

The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board is scheduled to meet on August 1 during the Commission’s Summer Meeting to review a summary of the comments received at the public hearings on the emergency action and consider approval of Draft Addendum II for public comment. Addendum II was initiated to address concerns about increased removals and stock rebuilding beyond 2023. It is intended to follow the 2023 emergency action, and will consider 2024 management measures designed to reduce fishing mortality to the target.

For more information, please contact Toni Kerns, Fisheries Policy Director, at tkerns@asmfc.orgor 703.842.0740.

ASMFC 2023 Summer Meeting Details, Preliminary Agenda, and Public Comment Guidelines

June 21, 2o23 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Meeting will be August 1-3, 2023 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 details of which will be provided two weeks prior to the
meeting. A brief, preliminary agenda and public comment guidelines are included with this memorandum.
Materials will be available July 19th on the Commission website at http://www.asmfc.org/home/2023-
summer-meeting.

A block of rooms is being held at The Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. Lisa
Carty 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, otherwise you will incur no-show penalties. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.
For all other attendees, please reserve online via our group link at
Book your group rate for Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission July 31 – August 03, 2023 or call
Marriott directly at 888.236.2427 as soon as possible and mention the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission to obtain the group room rate of $172.00 plus tax single/dbl. Please be aware you must guarantee
your room reservation with a major credit card or one night’s advance payment. Hotel reservations must be
made by Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Room availability will not be guaranteed beyond this date. If you are
being reimbursed by ASMFC for your travel, please make your reservation directly with the hotel. Reservations
made through travel websites do not apply toward our minimum number of required reservations with the
hotel. Please note, cancellations at The Westin must be made by 4:00 p.m. two days prior to arrival to avoid
penalty and an early departure fee of $100 will apply when checking out prior to the confirmed date. If you
have any problems regarding accommodations, please contact Lisa Carty at 703.842.0713 or lcarty@asmfc.org.
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.

Enclosed: Preliminary Agenda, Hotel Directions, TA 23-043, and Travel Reimbursement Guidelines

Page 2 of 4; M23-061

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 10th) will be included in
the briefing materials.

2. Comments received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 25th will be included in supplemental materials.

3. Comments received by 10:00 AM on Friday, July 28th 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.

Webinar ID: 711-234-515