September 9, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
Please find below the meeting details and public comment guidelines for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 82nd Annual Meeting, which will be held October 21-24, 2024 at The Westin Annapolis, 100 Westgate Circle, Annapolis, Maryland This will be a hybrid meeting to allow for remote participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders in all meetings. The Law Enforcement Committee, Habitat Committee and Atlantic Coast Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee will have unique webinar links that will be available as part of the individual committee materials. The preliminary agenda can be found athttp://www.asmfc.org/home/2024-annual-meeting; materials will be available at the same website link on October 9th.
Our Maryland Commissioners have been working closely with us on the meeting details and are looking forward to welcoming you all to Annapolis. This city is a captivating destination that exudes charm through its history as one of America’s oldest cities and former capital of the United States. Its blend of colonial history, maritime heritage, culinary excellence, and the United States Naval Academy, guaranteeing there is always something to explore!
ACCOMMODATIONS
A block of rooms is being held at The Westin Annapolis. Lisa Carty will make Commissioner/Proxy reservations and will contact you regarding the details of your accommodations. Please notify Lisa Carty 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 make your reservations at The Westin Annapolis by calling 1-888-627-8994 and mentioning ASMFC to get our negotiated rate of $169 plus taxes per night. You may also use this link to make reservations. The hotel reservations must be made by September 25, 2024. 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. If you have any problems regarding accommodations, please contact Lisa Carty at 703.842.0713 or lcarty@asmfc.org.
GETTING TO ANNAPOLIS
The Westin Annapolis is easily accessible by automobile, train or airplane. BWI is the closest airport and you can take a taxi or UBER to get to the hotel. You won’t need to rent a car because Annapolis is a very walkable town and we will provide transportation to the social events. It is also an easy drive from most Mid-Atlantic states.
REGISTRATION
All of the business meetings scheduled during this week (with the exception of scheduled closed sessions) are open to the public, free of charge. However, if you plan on attending any of the Annual Meeting events, please help us prepare for these events by registering for the Annual Meeting events. Only those who will not be reimbursed for travel by the Commission (see travel authorization form) will need to pay the registration fee (e.g., guests and federal participants). The meeting registration fee is $200/per participant and $150/per spouse or guest if you register by October 11, 2024. After October 11th and in Annapolis the fees will be $225 and $175, respectively. The registration fee covers the Monday night welcome reception, and the Tuesday night dinner, as well event materials. You may register by returning the attached and linked registration form (by email to lhartman@asmfc.org, 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 payment can be made here; or (3) mail a check to ASMFC (address above).
FISHING TOURNAMENT
Plans are well underway for the 31st Annual Laura Leach Fishing Tournament. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate. You will receive a t-shirt with your $20 entry fee; and 100% of the tournament proceeds will be donated to a state-identified program (to be determined). The tournament runs from Sunday (10/20) through Wednesday (10/23); the raffle drawing and tournament prizes will be awarded at the breakfast Thursday morning.
FOR SPOUSES/GUESTS
The social for spouses and guests will be held on Monday morning at the hotel. A Tuesday outing is also being planned; full details will be available in the final notice.
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 (September 30) will be included in the briefing materials.
2. Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 15 will be included in supplemental materials.
3. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, October 18 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 all in Annapolis in October!