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

Please note the Shad and River Herring Management Board meeting, previously scheduled for Wednesday, January 24 from 12:45 – 1:30 p.m., has been cancelled. The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board will now be held from 1:15 – 4:45 p.m.

American Lobster Management Board – Revised Agenda & Meeting Overview; TC Memo: Board Task on Lobster Information for the Northern Edge of Georges Bank; American Lobster Public Input Meeting for LCMA 2 and LCMA 3 Meeting Summary & Submitted Public Comment

American Eel Management Board – Revised Advisory Panel Nominations

Executive Committee – Draft 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

Coastal Pelagics Management Board – Draft Proceedings from October 2023; PDT Memo: Recreational Reallocation Draft Addendum Scoping Progress and Ongoing Questions; Draft Spanish Mackerel FMP Review for the 2022 Fishing Year

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board – Revised Agenda & Meeting Overview; Public Comment Summary & Submitted Written Comments; Advisory Panel Recommendations on Draft Addendum II Options; Addendum II Comments from the Law Enforcement Committee; PRT Review of New Jersey Conservation Equivalency Proposal for Striped Bass Bonus Program; Public Comment

ISFMP Policy Board – Revised Draft Agenda & Meeting Overview; Atlantic Menhaden Public Comment

Business Session of the Commission – Draft 2024-2028 Strategic Plan

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.

1. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, January 19 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; please submit via email.