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Council Actions

ASMFC 2024 Winter Meeting Presentations, Recordings, and Revised Meeting Summary Now Available

January 29, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Presentations and recordings from last week’s Winter Meeting are now available athttps://www.asmfc.org/home/2024-winter-meeting; just click on the relevant link at the Board or Committee header in the agenda. Recordings can also be found on the Commission’s YouTube Channel athttps://www.youtube.com/ASMFCvideos.

Please note that the roll call vote for one of the motions of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board has been corrected (the motion at the top of page 13). The revised meeting summary document can be found athttps://asmfc.org/files/2024WinterMeeting/2024WinterMeetingSummary_revised.pdf.

American Lobster Board Initiates Draft Addendum XXX to Clarify Addendum XXVII Impacts on Foreign Imports

January 26, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s American Lobster Management Board initiated Draft Addendum XXX to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. The Draft Addendum is being considered to clarify how the measures of Addendum XXVII, approved in May 2023, will apply to foreign imports of American lobster.

The Magnuson-Stevens Act prohibits imports of whole live lobster smaller than the minimum possession size in effect at the time under the Commission’s American lobster management program. This provision, referred to as the Mitchell Provision, was passed to prevent imports of lobster smaller than what the US industry can harvest. The current minimum gauge size for Lobster Conservation Management Area (LCMA) 1 of 3 ¼” is the smallest minimum size in effect for the US lobster fishery.
 
Under Addendum XXVII, changes to the current gauge and escape vent sizes in LCMA 1 (inshore Gulf of Maine) are triggered when a 35% decline in recruit abundance for the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank stock is observed. As of October 2023, the trigger index had declined by 39% with the inclusion of 2022 survey data in the index. Therefore, a series of gradual changes to gauge and vent size will begin January 1, 2025, starting with an increase to the minimum gauge size in LCMA 1 from 3 ¼” to 3 5/16”. Starting in January 2025, this 3 5/16” gauge size will be the smallest minimum gauge size in effect. Draft Addendum XXX aims to clarify that Addendum XXVII shall include compliance with the Mitchell Provision, meaning the smallest minimum size for foreign imports would match the smallest minimum size in effect for the US industry.
 
The Board will meet in late February/early March to consider approving Draft Addendum XXX for public comment. There are currently no regulations in place to restrict the maximum size of imported lobster, though the Board expressed interest in exploring this possibility further through a separate action. For more information, please contact Caitlin Starks, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atcstarks@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Board Approves Addendum II Establishes Measures to Continue Progress Towards Stock Rebuilding

January 25, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board approved Addendum II to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Addendum modifies recreational and commercial measures to reduce fishing mortality in 2024, establishes an expedited response process to upcoming stock assessments, and addresses requirements for recreational filleting. Addendum II builds upon the 2023 emergency action by changing the measures in the FMP to reduce fishing mortality and support stock rebuilding. Addendum II measures will replace the emergency action measures upon its implementation by the states by May 1, 2024.

“First and foremost, thank you to the 2,000 members of the public who submitted public comments. The Board had difficult issues to discuss, and public comments were a crucial part of the deliberations,” said Board Chair Megan Ware from Maine. “The Board remains focused on rebuilding the stock by 2029. The upcoming 2024 stock assessment will be an important checkpoint on progress toward rebuilding.”

For the ocean recreational fishery, the Addendum implements a 28” to 31” slot limit, 1-fish bag limit, and maintains 2022 season dates for all fishery participants; this maintains the same ocean recreational measures adopted under the recent emergency action. For the Chesapeake Bay recreational fishery, the Addendum implements a 19” to 24” slot limit, 1-fish bag limit, and maintains 2022 season dates for all fishery participants. For the commercial fishery, the Addendum reduces commercial quotas by 7% in both the ocean and Chesapeake Bay.

To address concerns about recreational filleting allowances and compliance with recreational size limits, the Addendum establishes two requirements for states that authorize at-sea/shore-side filleting of striped bass: racks must be retained and possession limited to no more than two fillets per legal fish.

To enable an expedited management response to upcoming stock assessments prior to the 2029 rebuilding deadline, the Addendum establishes a mechanism allowing the Board to respond to a stock assessment via Board action if the stock is not projected to rebuild by 2029.

States must submit implementation plans by March 1, 2024 for Board review and approval, which will take place at a special Board meeting to be scheduled for later in March. All Addendum II measures must be implemented by May 1, 2024.

Addendum II will be available in February on the Commission website athttp://www.asmfc.org/species/atlantic-striped-bass under Management Plans and FMP Reviews. For more information, please contact Emilie Franke, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atefranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.

NEFMC January 30-February 1, 2024 Meeting – Portsmouth, NH – Listen Live

January 22, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting from Tuesday, January 30 through Thursday, February 1, 2024.  This will be an in-person meeting coupled with a webinar option for individuals who cannot or prefer not to attend in person.  Please participate remotely if you do not feel well.

LOCATION:  The Venue at Portwalk Place, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

START TIME:  9:00 a.m. all three days.  The Council will meet briefly in closed session on Tuesday morning.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.

COUNCIL PUBLIC OUTREACH:  Join the Council on Tuesday, January 30 at 6:00 p.m. for an informational exchange to foster open lines of communication among Council members, staff, industry, and meeting attendees.  The event will be held on the lobby level of the AC Hotel, 299 Vaughan Street, which is a four-minute walk from the Council meeting room at The Venue at Portwalk Place.  All are welcome.  Light snacks will be provided.

OFFSHORE WIND:  After the Council concludes its business on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, fisheries liaisons from several offshore wind energy development companies will host an informational meet-and-greet event at Hampton Inn & Suites.  The hotel is across the alley from the Council’s meeting venue.  All are welcome to attend.

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  The Council wants to hear from you.  Here’s how you can let the Council know what you think.

  • WRITE A LETTER:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Please note that written comments must address items listed on the agenda for this meeting.
  • TALK TO THE COUNCIL:  You’ll be able to address the Council directly through two different avenues:
  1. By commenting on motions at the discretion of the Council chair (if commenting remotely, raise your hand on the webinar and unmute yourself when called upon); and
  1. By speaking during the open period for public comment.  Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.
  • OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  On Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 1:45 p.m., the Council will offer the public an opportunity to provide comments on issues relevant to Council business but not listed on this agenda.  Given the Council’s busy meeting schedule, we ask that you limit remarks to 3-5 minutes.
    • SIGN UP:  Interested in speaking?  If attending in person, fill out the sign-up sheet on the table at the entrance to the Council meeting room.  To speak remotely, email Janice Plante at jplante@nefmc.org to get on the list.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

  • We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way.  Just email helpdesk@nefmc.org and we’ll get right back to you.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone without joining the webinar, dial +1 (415) 655-0052.  The access code is 607-102-343.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.  This phone number provides a “listen-only” option without the webinar component.  You will not be able to speak if you do not first join the webinar.

AGENDA:  All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website atNEFMC January 30-February 1, 2024 meeting webpage.  Additional documents will be posted as they become available.

THREE MEETING OUTLOOK:  A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is available HERE.

COUNCIL MEETING QUESTIONS:  Anyone with questions prior to or during the Council meeting should contact Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to Meet February 6-7, 2024

January 21, 2024 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet Tuesday, February 6 – Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at The Westin Arlington in Arlington, Virginia.

Please see the February 2024 Council Meeting Page for webinar details, briefing materials (as they become available), and other updates.

Public Comments: Public comments will be accepted from in-person and remote participants on all major agenda items. Written comments can be submitted through the comment portal or by email to cmoore@mafmc.org. The deadline for comments to be included in the briefing book is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Comments submitted after this deadline and before 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, February 1, 2024 will be posted as supplemental materials on the meeting page. After the supplemental comment deadline, comments may only be submitted via the comment form (no email).

Live Stream: The meeting will be live streamed to the Council’s YouTube channel.

 

Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, February 6th

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Species Separation Requirements Amendment                       

  • Review and approve Public Hearing Document

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ———- LUNCH ———-

1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Business Session

  • Committee Reports: Scientific and Statistical Committee
  • Executive Director’s Report – Dr. Chris Moore
  • Organization Reports: NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Office of General Counsel, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, US Coast Guard
  • Liaison Reports: New England Council, South Atlantic Council
  • Other Business and General Public Comment

4:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.  Briefing Book Tutorial

4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Legal Review, Financial Disclosure and Recusal Training

Wednesday, February 7th

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Offshore Wind Updates

  • Updates from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
  • Updates from the state working group on a fisheries compensation fund administrator
  • Updates from offshore wind project developers (Ørsted, Vineyard Wind, Kitty Hawk Wind, Community Offshore Wind)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Black Sea Bass Assessment Overview

  • Overview of recently completed Research Track stock assessment

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. ———- LUNCH ———-

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sturgeon Framework

  • Review progress on joint Mid-Atlantic/New England Council action to reduce Atlantic sturgeon interactions in the monkfish/dogfish gillnet fisheries
  • Approve final packages of alternatives

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) White Paper: “Draft Proposed Plan for a Novel Industry Based Multispecies Bottom Trawl Survey on the Northeast US Continental Shelf”

  • Overview of the Industry-based survey white paper
  • Consider next steps

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Awards Presentation

ASMFC 2024 Winter Meeting Supplemental Materials Now Available

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

Supplemental materials for ASMFC’s 2024 Winter Meeting are now available at https://www.asmfc.org/home/2024-winter-meeting. For ease of access, all the supplemental materials have been combined into one document: http://asmfc.org/files/2024WinterMeeting/2024WinterMtgSupplementalMaterials.pdf.

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.

ASMFC 2024 Winter Meeting Final Agenda and Materials Now Available

January 10, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Winter Meeting will be January 23-25, 2024 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 room block is now closed; if you need assistance reserving a room, please contact Lisa Carty at lcarty@asmfc.org. The final agenda and meeting materials for the Winter Meeting are now available athttps://www.asmfc.org/home/2024-winter-meeting. For ease of access, all materials, with the exception of the Atlantic Striped Bass Board, have been combined into one document – 2024 Winter Meeting Materials Combined.

Webinar Information
Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, January 23rd at 12:30 PM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 11 AM) on Thursday, January 25th.  To register for the webinar, please go to:https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8556735274724277084 (Webinar ID 795-025-635).

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) via your computer, you can also call in at +1.631.992.3221, access code 426-309-773. 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
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.

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.

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 (January 2) have been included in the briefing materials.

2.   Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, January 16 will be included in supplemental materials.

3.   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.  As with other public comment, it will be accepted via mail and email.

We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Meeting!

Council Seeks Applicants to Fill 2024-2025 Advisory Panel Seats for Whiting, Skates, Monkfish, GAP/RAP, Herring, and Scallops

January 8, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council is seeking applicants to fill mid-term vacancies on its advisory panels (APs). Fishermen and other individuals who are knowledgeable and interested in the fisheries managed by the Council are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is February 9, 2024.

The Council appoints AP members to three-year terms. The last round of appointments covered 2023-2025. This current mid-term solicitation is intended to fill AP seats that remain open from the last cycle. Selected applicants will serve from March 2024 through December 2025.

IMPORTANT: Since this is a mid-term solicitation, current advisory panel members who wish to continue serving do not need to reapply. The purpose of this announcement is to seek new applicants for 2024 and 2025.

The Council has vacant seats on the following APs:

• Small-Mesh Multispecies/Whiting Advisory Panel

• Skate Advisory Panel • Monkfish Advisory Panel

• Groundfish Advisory Panel • Recreational Advisory Panel

• Atlantic Herring Advisory Panel

• Scallop Advisory Panel

To the extent possible, the Council’s APs reflect a wide range of expertise and interests covering different geographic areas and home ports, different gear types, multiple user groups, and a broad range of social and economic perspectives.

Individuals may serve on more than one panel, and the Council reimburses all advisory panel members for travel expenses.

AP members provide information and guidance to the specific committees they’re appointed to and offer recommendations during the development of the Council’s fishery management actions. Advisors also may be asked to provide input about special issues or problems.

ASMFC Seeks Feedback from Permit Holders for Lobster Conservation and Management Areas 2 and 3

January 4, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) is seeking input from American lobster permit holders on NOAA Fisheries’ rulemaking to implement aggregate ownership caps in Lobster Conservation Management Areas (LCMA) 2 (Southern New England) and 3 (offshore federal waters) and a maximum trap cap reduction in Area 3. LCMA 2 and 3 permit holders are invited to participate in a public webinar meeting on Wednesday, January 10, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM.

The federal rulemaking responds to the Commission’s 2013 recommendations to NOAA to adopt the measures in Addenda XXI and XXII in federal waters. The Commission’ s 2013 approval of the Addenda was to scale the capacity of the Southern New England (SNE) fishery to the diminished size of the SNE resource. These Addenda addressed latent effort in the fishery and, by reducing trap limits to reduce harvest, allowed for potential stock rebuilding. However, over a decade has passed since the date when the Commission intended for these federal measures to be implemented. In that time, there have been significant changes in the fishery. Therefore, the American Lobster Management Board is seeking input from LCMA 2 and 3 permit holders to better understand the impacts of these measures within the context of the current fishery.
In LCMA 2, NOAA is implementing an ownership cap that would restrict an entity to 800 Area 2 traps. In LCMA 3, NOAA’s action reduces the maximum number of traps that could be allocated to a permit in Area 3 from 1,945 traps to 1,548 traps over the course of three years, and implements an aggregate ownership cap at the entity level equal to five times the maximum trap cap. These measures are scheduled to become effective on May 1, 2025.

Reminder: Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Scientist for One Opening on Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel

January 2, 2024 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking applications from qualified scientists to fill one open seat on the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP). Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024.

NTAP is a joint advisory panel of the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. The primary purpose of the panel is to provide advice and direction on the conduct of trawl research in the northeast region, with a focus on the multispecies bottom trawl survey conducted by NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC). NTAP also discusses and recommends research priorities, and members frequently participate in recommended research projects. NTAP has guided multiple studies that have improved information used in stock assessments.

The twenty-member panel includes Mid-Atlantic and New England Council members, scientists and industry stakeholders appointed by each Council, representatives of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), and NEFSC staff.

The current vacancy is for one of two seats designated for academic or non-academic scientists appointed by the Mid-Atlantic Council. Individuals with expertise in any of the following areas are encouraged to apply: gear design and construction, trawl gear efficiency, trawl mensuration, fish behavior, fishery acoustics, survey statistics, and stock assessments.

Applications can be downloaded at the link below or on the NTAP web page. The completed application should be submitted to hhart@mafmc.org by 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 5, 2024.