Saving Seafood

ASMFC Sciaenids Board Approves Red Drum Draft Addendum II for Public Comment Draft Addendum Considers Modifications to Red Drum Management

August 7, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Sciaenids Management Board approved Draft Addendum II to Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Red Drum for public comment. The Draft Addendum considers several changes to the management programs in the southern (South Carolina to Florida) and northern (New Jersey to North Carolina) regions in response to the findings of the 2024 Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report.

 
Specifically, the assessment found the southern stock to be overfished and experiencing overfishing. As a result, the Draft Addendum considers two fishing mortality options states may not exceed in order to end overfishing. Although the northern stock is not overfished nor experiencing overfishing, the Board is concerned with an increasing trend in fishing mortality observed in the northern region. To address this trend, the Draft Addendum considers changes to the recreational bag and slot limits of states in the northern region, as well as provide states the opportunity to align their differing regulations, particularly in Chesapeake Bay.
 
The Draft Addendum also includes a process for states to propose management measures in response to the 2024 benchmark stock assessment, as well as future assessment advice. Further, the Draft Addendum proposes a process to allow states to submit stock status analyses conducted outside the Commission’s stock assessment process to be considered for management use. Lastly, the Draft Addendum proposes updates to the management program’s de minimis provisions. The Commission includes de minimis provisions in its FMPs to reduce the management burden for states whose measures would have a negligible effect on the conservation of the species.
 
A subsequent press release will provide the details of upcoming state public hearings and how to submit written comments. The Board will meet to review submitted comments and consider final action on the Addendum in October. For more information, please contact Tracey Bauer, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at  tbauer@asmfc.org or 703.842.0723.

ASMFC 2025 Summer Meeting Final Supplemental Materials Now Available

August 1, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Final supplemental materials for the Commission’s 2025 Summer Meeting are now available at https://asmfc.org/events/2025-summer-meeting/ for the following Boards. Links can be found under Supplemental 2 (following the respective Board’s agenda).

 
American Lobster Management Board – Public Comment   
 
Atlantic Menhaden Management Board – Public Comment
 
Webinar Information
Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, August 5 at 10 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 11:45 AM on Thursday, August 7). To register for the webinar, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8127397986650630485 (Webinar ID: 230-697-115). If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you may also call in at +1 (914) 614-3221, access code 949-913-944. 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 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 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.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the Summer Meeting.

ASMFC 2025 Summer Meeting Supplemental Materials Now Available

July 30, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Supplemental materials for the Commission’s 2025 Summer Meeting are now available athttps://asmfc.org/events/2025-summer-meeting/ for the following Boards. The combined file of all supplemental materials is available at https://asmfc.org/resources/management-meeting-materials/2025-summer-meeting-supplemental-materials/

 
American Lobster Management Board – Public Comment   
 
American Eel Management Board – Review of Maine Aquaculture Plan and TC Recommendations  
 
Sciaenids Management Board – Red Drum Technical Committee and Stock Assessment Subcommittee Memo: Considerations for New Fishing Mortality Methods Pathway Proposed in Addendum II to Amendment 2 of the Red Drum Interstate Fishery Management Plan; Red Drum Fishery Management Plan Review for FY2024  
 
Executive Committee – Discussion Paper on Establishing and Reviewing Declared Interests  
 
Weakfish Management Board – 2025 Weakfish Stock Assessment Update
 
Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board – Fishery Management Plan Review for FY2024; Staff Memo: State Overviews of Striped Bass Commercial Tagging Program; Advisory Panel Memo: Member Comments on Draft Addendum III for Board Review; Public Comment
Atlantic Menhaden Management Board – Public Comment
 
ISFMP Policy Board – Discussion Paper on Establishing and Reviewing Declared Interests  
 
Webinar Information
Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, August 5 at 10 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 11:45 AM on Thursday, August 7). To register for the webinar, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8127397986650630485 (Webinar ID: 230-697-115). If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you may also call in at +1 (914) 614-3221, access code 949-913-944. 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 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 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 (July 14) will be included in the briefing materials.
2.    Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, July 29, will be included in supplemental materials.
3.    Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, August 1, 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.

American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment Review Workshop Scheduled for September 2 – 5, 2025, in Woods Hole, MA

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment Review Workshop is scheduled for September 2 – 5, 2025 at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, 384 Woods Hole Road, Woods Hole, MA.  The assessment will evaluate the status of American lobster stocks along the US Atlantic coast and inform the management of this species. The peer review is open to the public, except for discussion of confidential commercial landings data* and the Peer Review Panel’s final deliberations, when the public and all other workshop participants will be asked to exit the workshop.
 
Please note the draft assessment report and the peer review report will not be made publicly available until mid-October as part of the American Lobster Management Board’s Annual Meeting materials. The peer review agenda can be found at https://asmfc.org/events/american-lobster-benchmark-stock-assessment-review-workshop/.  For more information about the assessment or attending the peer review, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org.
 
* Each state and federal agency is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of its data and deciding who has access to its confidential data. In the case of our stock assessments and peer reviews, all analysts and, if necessary, reviewers, have been granted permission by the appropriate agency to use and view confidential data. When the assessment team needs to show and discuss these data, observers to our stock assessment process are asked to leave the room to preserve confidentiality.

Quota Update to Area 1A 2025 Effort Controls – July 2025

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

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Atlantic Herring Management Board members from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts met on May 13, 2025 to set the effort control measures for the 2025 Area 1A (inshore Gulf of Maine) fishery for June 1 – September 30.

Quota levels for Area 1A have been updated to reflect the lower quotas that are still in place. Higher revised quotas were expected to be implemented by NOAA Fisheries in July, however, they have not yet been implemented and there is no estimated implementation date.

The Area 1A sub-annual catch limit (ACL) is 692 metric tons (mt) after adjusting for the 30 mt fixed gear set-aside and the fact that Area 1A closes at 92% of the sub-ACL. In October 2024, the Board established the following seasonal allocations for the 2025 Area 1A sub-ACL: 72.8% available for season 1 (June 1 – September 30) and 27.2% available for season 2 (October 1 – December 31).

2025 Atlantic Herring 1A Quota Allocation by Season:

Season Current Area 1A Quota Revised Area 1A Quota yet to be Implemented by NOAA Fisheries
1. June 1-September 30 504 mt 862 mt
2. October 1-December 31 188 mt 322 mt

When landings are projected to reach the current Season 1 quota of 504 mt, the fishery will be adjusted to zero landing days. If NOAA Fisheries implements the revised quota before the fishery moves to zero landing days, then the fishery can operate to the revised 862 mt for Season 1. If the revised quota is implemented after the fishery moves to zero landing days, a days out call will be scheduled as soon as possible to discuss potential re-opening of the Season 1 fishery and/or possible rollover to the Season 2 fishery.

The following Area 1A measures remain the same for June 1-September 30:

Days Out of the Fishery

  • Landing days will be set at zero (0) from June 1 until the start of the fishery on July 27 at 6:00 p.m.
  • Landing days begin on Sunday of each week at 6:00 p.m. starting July 27.
  • Vessels with an Atlantic herring Limited Access Category A permit that have declared into the Area 1A fishery may land herring five (5) consecutive days a week. The week shall begin at 6:00 p.m. on Sundays and conclude at 6:00 p.m. on Fridays. One landing per 24 hour period. Vessels are prohibited from landing or possessing herring caught from Area 1A during a day out of the fishery.
  • Small mesh bottom trawl vessels with an Atlantic herring Limited Access Category C or Open Access D permit that have declared into the fishery may land herring six (6) consecutive days a week. The week shall begin at 6:00 p.m. on Sundays and conclude at 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Weekly Landing Limit

  • Vessels with an Atlantic herring Category A permit may harvest up to 240,000 lbs. (6 trucks) per harvester vessel, per week starting July 27.

At-Sea Transfer and Carrier Restrictions

The following applies to harvester vessels with an Atlantic herring Category A permit and carrier vessels landing herring caught in Area 1A to a Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts port.

  • A harvester vessel may transfer herring at-sea to another harvester vessel.
  • A harvester vessel may not make any at-sea transfers to a carrier vessel.
  • Carrier vessels may not receive at-sea transfers from a harvester vessel.

Harvesters are prohibited from landing more than 2,000 pounds of Atlantic herring per trip from Area 1A until July 27, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Landings will be closely monitored and the fishery will be adjusted to zero landing days when the season 1 quota is projected to be reached.

Please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740 for more information.

Motions

Move to implement for the 2025 Area 1A herring fishery in Season 1:

  • Zero landing days before Sunday, July 27 at 6:00 pm;
  • For Category A vessels, 5 landing days per week;
  • For Category A vessels, a 6 truck (240,000 lbs.) weekly landing limit;
  • Allow harvester-to-harvester transfers but not allow transfers to carriers;
  • For Category C/D SMBT vessels, 6 landing days per week.

Motion made by Ms. Ware and seconded by Mr. Abbott. Motion passes by unanimous consent.

ASMFC Seeks Contractor to Facilitate a Stakeholder Workshop and Engagement Process

July 9, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contractor to design and conduct a stakeholder engagement process to inform revisions to the Delaware Bay Horseshoe Crab Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework using structured decision making methods. The contractor would facilitate educational meetings, design and facilitate a stakeholder workshop, meet with the Commission’s horseshoe crab technical committees to develop potential modifications to the ARM Framework based on stakeholder input, and develop a report of workshop conclusions and recommendations to the Commission’s Delaware Bay Ecosystem Technical Committee and Horseshoe Crab Management Board (Board).

Since 2013, the Board has used the Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework to determine harvest levels for the bait fishery in the Delaware Bay states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia based on the abundance levels of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds. In 2021, a revision to the ARM Framework was completed to address feedback from the previous peer review panel, incorporate newly available data, and transition to new modeling software. The adoption of the 2021 ARM Framework Revision resulted in extensive public concern, focused in large part on the potential for female horseshoe crab harvest under the revised ARM Framework and its impact on the rufa red knot, a migratory shorebird listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act that depends on horseshoe crab eggs as a major food source in the Delaware Bay region during its migration. However, stakeholder groups in the Delaware Bay region hold diverging values and perspectives on management of the horseshoe crab resource. Commercial industry participants indicate they still value the harvest of female horseshoe crabs. Conversely, environmental groups have advocated for zero female horseshoe crab harvest from the Delaware Bay population.

Given these conflicting stakeholder goals and values, in July 2024, the Board convened a Horseshoe Crab Management Objectives Workshop to explore potential future objectives and management approaches for the Delaware Bay-origin horseshoe crab fishery. The workshop included a small group of stakeholders representing environmental NGO, fishing, biomedical, bird and horseshoe crab scientists, and management perspectives, and produced several recommended actions to address stakeholder concerns and values. A consensus recommendation from the workshop was that the Utility, Reward, and Harvest Policy (U/R/H) Functions of the ARM Framework (i.e., mathematical functions within the ARM Framework that reflect values placed on horseshoe crabs and red knots) be reevaluated and refined with stakeholder input. The structure of these functions is the key mechanism by which stakeholder values are translated into horseshoe crab harvest levels. Thus, increased stakeholder understanding, engagement, and input into these functions is the key mechanism by which ASMFC seeks to increase acceptance of the ARM across disparate groups and interests.

Proposals must be submitted, as a single file, an electronic proposal by email no later than 11:59 PM on August 8, 2025, to Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator. Please see the RFP for more details, qualifying requirements, and submission instructions. The RFP is available athttps://asmfc.org/resources/rfp-for-horseshoe-crab-workshop/.

Please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org for questions regarding the request for proposals.

Non-Traditional Stakeholders Sought for Participation in ASMFC Horseshoe Crab Advisory Panel

June 17, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Horseshoe Crab Management Board is in process of re-configuring its Advisory Panel (AP). As part of that process, the Board is seeking nominations for non-traditional stakeholders. Examples of such stakeholders include, but are not limited to, environmental organizations, grassroots organizations, and individuals/groups with an interest in shorebirds or horseshoe crab conservation.

 
The intent of this action is to broaden the scope of public input to the Horseshoe Crab Management Board (Board) as it considers possible changes to the management program for the Delaware Bay region commercial horseshoe crab fishery. In July 2024, responding to substantial public input regarding the Adaptive Resource Management Framework Revision, the Commission convened a multi-stakeholder workshop to explore potential future objectives and management approaches for the Delaware Bay horseshoe crab fishery. One of the consensus recommendations from the workshop was to evaluate the Horseshoe Crab AP to determine if it has adequate representation across stakeholder groups, including fishing, biomedical, and environmental conservation interests. The Commission believes that input from non-traditional stakeholders will strengthen its efforts in successfully managing horseshoe crab. The Board has not determined the makeup of the revised AP but has committed to expanding the non-traditional stakeholder participation on the panel.
 
Interested stakeholders can fill-in and submit a nomination form (https://asmfc.org/resources/management/forms/horseshoe-crab-shorebird-advisory-panel-nomination-form/) by 11:59 PM on June 27, 2025 to info@asmfc.org (subject line: HSC AP nomination). Submitted nominations will be reviewed by a subgroup of the Board, which is also tasked with reviewing the AP’s composition and membership and providing recommendations to the Board for consideration.  
 
For more information, please contact Tina Berger, Director of Communications, at tberger@asmfc.org.

ASMFC 2025 Summer Meeting Details, Preliminary Agenda, and Public Comment Guidelines

June 16, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Please find attached and below the preliminary agenda and public comment guidelines for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2025 Summer Meeting will be August 5 – 7, 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 details of which will be provided two weeks prior to the meeting. A brief, preliminary agenda and public comment guidelines are included in the attached. Materials will be available July 23 on the Commission website at https://asmfc.org/events/2025-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 your room online via our group link at Book your group rate for Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission ASMFC Meeting August 2025 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 $183 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 Monday, July 7. 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 the minimum number of required reservations with the hotel. Please note, cancellations at The Westin must be made by 4 PM two days before arrival to avoid penalty and an early departure fee of $183 + tax will apply when checking out before 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.

 

ASMFC 2025 Summer Meeting

August 5 – 7

Westin Crystal City
1800 Richmond Highway
Arlington, VA  22202

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.

 

Tuesday, August 5

10 – 11:30 a.m.                          American Lobster Management Board

  • Presentation of On-Demand Gear Research and Technology
  • Update on New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils’ Alternative Gear Marking Amendment
  • Update from Maine and New Hampshire on Industry Meetings
  • Progress Update on 2025 American Lobster Stock Assessment

 

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.                  Legislative and Governors’ Appointees Luncheon

 

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.                  Lunch Break

 

1 – 2 p.m.                                     Weakfish Management Board

  • Consider 2025 Stock Assessment Update


2:15 – 3:15 p.m.                        American Eel Management Board

  • Update on CITES Proposal to List American Eel under Appendix II
  • Review and Consider State Aquaculture Proposals

 

3:30 – 5:30 p.m.                        Sciaenids Management Board

  • Consider Red Drum Draft Addendum II for Public Comment
  • Review 2025 Traffic Light Analyses for Spot and Atlantic Croaker
  • Consider Delaware Spot Commercial Measures Proposal
  • Consider Atlantic Croaker and Red Drum Fishery Management Plan Reviews and Compliance for 2024 Fishing Year

 

5:30 – 6:30 p.m.                        ASMFC Public Outreach (Westin Lobby)

  • Informational Exchange among Commission Members, Staff, and Meeting Attendees; All are Welcome; Light Snacks


Wednesday, August 6

8 – 10 a.m.                                   Executive Committee

 

10:15 – 11:15 a.m.                    Shad & River Herring Management Board

  • Review Advisory Panel Report on 2024 River Herring Benchmark Assessment
  • Consider Updates to Shad and River Herring Sustainable Fishery Management Plans (SFMPs) and Alternative Management Plans (AMPs)
    • Massachusetts SFMP (River Herring)
    • Florida SFMP (American Shad) and AMP (Shad & River Herring)
    • Georgia SFMP (American Shad) and AMP (River Herring)

 

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.        Coastal Sharks Management Board

  • Updates on Federal Rulemaking

 

12:15 – 1:15 p.m.                      Lunch Break


1:15 – 5:30 p.m.                        Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board

  • Consider FMP Review and Compliance for 2024 Fishing Year
  • Consider Draft Addendum III for Public Comment

Thursday, August 7

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.                        Atlantic Menhaden Management Board

  • Discuss Technical Committee Direction in Response to Work Group Report on Precautionary Management in Chesapeake Bay
  • Progress Update on 2025 Ecological Reference Point Benchmark Assessment

 

9:45 – 11:30 a.m.                      Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board

  • Review and Consider Conservation Equivalency: Policy and Technical Guidance Document
  • Review Discussion Paper on Declared Interests and Voting Privileges
  • Discussion of Environmentally Friendly Fishing Gear and Bait Alternatives
  • Progress Update on On-Going Stock Assessments
  • Committee Reports
  • Review Noncompliance Findings, if necessary

 

11:30 – 11:45 a.m.                   Commission Business Session

  • Consider Noncompliance Recommendations, if necessary

 

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 the quarterly meeting (July 14) will be included in the briefing materials.
  2. Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, July 29 will be included in supplemental materials.
  3. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, August 1 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 (to comments@asmfc.org or via online submission athttps://asmfc.org/events/2025-summer-meeting/.

Fishery lawsuit merging coastal states could reel in Trump

May 14, 2025 — Atlantic striped bass season begins on the Chesapeake Bay May 16 amid mounting tensions between fishing industry groups and regulatory agencies.

A federal lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by fishing industry organizations bordering the Atlantic Ocean and its inland waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River Estuary.

The suit targets the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), which coordinates conservation and management of coastal fish species shared by 15 states along the Atlantic coast, along with several other federal agencies.

Adding to the regulatory conflict, an executive order from President Donald Trump to restore local fisheries freedoms could potentially overturn the Fisheries Commission previous regulations.

Captain Rob Newberry, chair of Delmarva Fisheries Association (DFA), and Brian Hardman, chair of the Maryland Charter Boats Association, are leading the challenge against current Maryland state regulations, particularly those concerning striped bass.

The following was released by Southern Maryland News

Menhaden fishers urge ASMFC to maintain quotas in face of NGO criticism

May 6, 2025 — The Menhaden Fisheries Coalition and six shop stewards representing union fishermen participating in the Chesapeake Bay menhaden fishery are urging the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to maintain current allowable catch levels in the face of NGO criticism.

The ASMFC Menhaden Management Board is meeting on 7 May to discuss management of the species. In a letter to the board, members of the UFCW Local 400 union called on board members to listen to fishermen and adopt regulatory practices based on “sound scientific principles” rather than listen to environmental groups that claim the fishery is responsible for declines in other species in the Chesapeake Bay.

Read the full story at SeafoodSource