September 5, 2019 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 78^th Annual Meeting will be held October 27-31, 2019 at the Wentworth by the Sea, 588 Wentworth Road, New Castle, New Hampshire. This memorandum contains meeting details, including the preliminary agenda. All of the business meetings scheduled during the week (with the exception of closed sessions) are open to the public, free of charge. However, if you plan to attend any of the Annual Meeting social events, please help us prepare for these events by registering early (see below for more details).

Please note the preliminary 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 in the Preliminary Agenda which follows.

Doug Grout, Ritchie White, and Dennis Abbott have been working with staff on the meeting details and are looking forward to welcoming you all to the island of New Castle, one of New Hampshire’s oldest settlements. New Castle, the only town in New Hampshire composed entirely of islands, covers approximately 500 acres and serves as a scenic residential and recreational community.  New Castle was founded in 1623, chartered in 1679, and incorporated in 1693 during the reign of William and Mary.  Today, in addition to a residential population of slightly more than 1,000, it is home to the Great Island Common recreational park, a UNH marine research laboratory, a Coast Guard station, and Fort Constitution and Fort Stark state parks.

ACCOMODATIONS: A block of rooms is being held at the Wentworth by the Sea. Please make your reservations by calling 877.762.2876 as soon as possible and identify Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to obtain the negotiated room rate of $169.00 sgl/dbl plus tax. Hotel reservations must be made before September 29, 2019. 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 Cindy at 703.842.0740 or crobertson@asmfc.org.

GETTING TO NEW CASTLE: New Castle is served by 3 major airports, Boston Logan International, Portland Jetport in Maine, and Boston-Manchester Regional in Manchester, New Hampshire. Each of the airports is approximately 50 miles from New Castle. Since participants will need to rent a car to get to New Castle, we encourage people to ride share, usinghttp://www.groupcarpool.com/t/sxzib0

REGISTRATION:  The meeting registration fee is $200/per participant and $150/per spouse or guest if you register by October 18, 2019. After October 18^th and in New Castle 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 as 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 submitting the attached registration form by email tolhartman@asmfc.org, fax (703.842.0741) or US mail to 1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200A‐N, Arlington, VA 22201. 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 (address above).

The final agenda and meeting materials will be available on October 16^th on the Commission website athttp://www.asmfc.org/home/2019‐annual‐meeting.