Saving Seafood

Council Actions

Public Comment Summary for December 16 meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Now Available

December 13, 2024 — The following was released by Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The summary of public comment for the December 16 meeting of the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board is available on the meeting page at https://www.asmfc.org/home/December-2024-AtlStripedBassBoard-meeting as well as through the following direct link.

 
 
As a reminder, the details on the webinar and meeting process follow.
 
Webinar Information 
The meeting will be broadcast via webinar; to register for the webinar, please go tohttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4124340027335222108

(Webinar ID 586-838-579).

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 389-192-580. 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.
 
The webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting so 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 
The Board Chair 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 Board Chair will also provide the opportunity for comment at the meeting, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda. The Chair has the discretion in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities. This could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition of a motion until the Chair is satisfied further comments will not provide additional insight to the Board.

NTAP: MAFMC and NEFMC Seek Industry Representatives for Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel

December 13, 2024 — The following was released New England Fishery Management Council:

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and New England Fishery Management Council are seeking applications from fishing industry representatives to fill two open seats on the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (NTAP). Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 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 fishing industry representatives appointed by each Council, representatives of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and NEFSC staff. Applications are currently being sought to fill the following open seats:
 
  • One fishing industry representative appointed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
  • One fishing industry representative appointed by the New England Fishery Management Council
 
Individuals with expertise in gear design and construction, trawl gear efficiency, trawl mensuration, commercial trawl fisheries, or survey design are encouraged to apply.
 
Applications can be downloaded at https://www.mafmc.org/ntap. The completed application should be submitted tohhart@mafmc.org by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
 
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Hannah Hart, Mid-Atlantic Council staff, athhart@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5263.

Council Makes Spiny Dogfish Recommendation; Adopts 2025 Priorities; Receives Updates on Climate, Enforcement, More

December 12, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council met December 3-5, 2024 in Newport, Rhode Island and covered a wide range of topics. Here are some of the meeting highlights.

SPINY DOGFISH: The Council voted to recommend that NOAA Fisheries set the spiny dogfish acceptable biological catch (ABC) equal to the overfishing limit (OFL) for the 2025 fishing year. This is the highest limit allowed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act’s (MSA) National Standard 1 Guidelines, which stipulate that ABC cannot exceed OFL.

On December 10, 2024, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council also voted to set the ABC at the overfishing limit. The resulting specifications package, if implemented by NOAA Fisheries, would result in a commercial quota of roughly 9.3 million pounds (see table at right). Spiny dogfish is managed jointly by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils. The Mid-Atlantic Council has the administrative lead for the fishery. In 2023, the two Councils developed specifications for the 2024-2026 fishing years for spiny dogfish.

However, in September 2024, the Mid-Atlantic Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) lowered its 2025-2026 ABC recommendations for spiny dogfish in response to updated projections using revised catch information. The SSC’s revised ABC recommendations were intended to keep in line with the MidAtlantic Council’s risk policy, which specifies a 46% chance of overfishing for a stock that’s just above its biomass target like spiny dogfish. Setting ABC at OFL would result in a 50% chance of overfishing, which is higher than generated under the Mid-Atlantic Council’s standard risk policy.

 

SSC to Review Fisheries Data and Management Strategies

December 11, 2024 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet Dec. 12-13, 2024, to address key issues affecting fisheries management in the Pacific Islands.

Electronic Monitoring Program Development for Western Pacific Fisheries:Electronic monitoring (EM) is a voluntary program in Western Pacific longline fisheries for the purpose of research and development. The SSC will discuss decision points the Council may take to transition EM to required monitoring. The Council is considering options for EM implementation, including whether it should be implemented as a phased-in and optional or fully mandatory program, its scope across fisheries, and how it will supplement existing logbook and human observer programs. The SSC may advise the Council on EM authorization and provide guidance on processing EM data to improve the estimation of protected species interactions in fisheries.

American Samoa Bottomfish Revision: In June 2023, the SSC recommended the Council revise the American Samoa Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan to update the bottomfish management unit species list and explore a “rate-based” approach to annual catch limits for data-limited fisheries. The SSC may advise whether this flexible “Tier 6” method should apply solely to American Samoa bottomfish or be expanded to other regional fisheries.

Main Hawaiian Islands Uku Update: The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) will present a 2024 update to the 2020 benchmark stock assessment for main Hawaiian Islands (MHI) uku, incorporating five additional years of catch, catch per unit effort and size data, along with corrections for recreational catch estimates. The updated assessment shows the fishery is healthy—not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. The SSC will review and potentially endorse recommendations from a stock assessment review panel that the assessment is the best available science for management.

Strategic Planning: The SSC will discuss progress on its strategic planning exercise, launched at the 153rd meeting in September, to shape its work and membership for the coming years. The initiative aims to address evolving fishery management challenges while enhancing the recruitment and retention of top scientists. 

False Killer Whale Interaction Analysis: The SSC will discuss its review of an analysis aimed at estimating foreign fleet fishing effort and associated false killer whale bycatch in an area that overlaps with the fishing area of the Hawai‘i deep-set longline fishery. The analysis was conducted by PIFSC, with input from SSC members, earlier in 2024. The SSC will discuss the uncertainties associated with data used in the analysis, along with implications for the recovery factor used to determine allowable removals and Hawai‘i longline fishery impacts.

Noncommercial Fisheries Data Updates: The SSC will review updates to the MRIP Pacific Islands Regional Implementation Plan for 2025-2029, which prioritizes projects to improve noncommercial data collection. The SSC will discuss an alternative method for estimating noncommercial data for the MHI bottomfish fishery and evaluate its potential inclusion in the plan. The Committee will also assess the method’s utility and may recommend modifications to support the Plan Team in developing a noncommercial module for annual reports.

The SSC meeting is open for in-person or remote participation via web conference. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing public comments are available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/154ssc-meeting.

 

Scientific and Statistical Committee: James Lynch (chair); Jason Biggs (Guam Div. of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources); Debra Cabrera (University of Guam); Frank Camacho (University of Guam); Milani Chaloupka (University of Queensland); Erik Franklin (University of Hawai‘i, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology); Shelton Harley (Fisheries Consultant); Jason Helyer (Hawai‘i Div. of Aquatic Resources); Ray Hilborn (University of Washington); Justin Hospital (National Marine Fisheries Service Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, NMFS PIFSC); Dave Itano (Fisheries Consultant); Donald Kobayashi (NMFS PIFSC); Steve Martell (Sea State Inc.); Domingo Ochavillo (American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources); Graham Pilling (The Pacific Community); Craig Severance (University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, retired); Keena Leon Guerrero (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Div. of Fish & Wildlife); Charles Littnan (ex-officio) (NMFS PIFSC).

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council: Secretary of Commerce appointees from nominees selected by American Samoa, the CNMI, Guam and Hawai‘i governors: Will Sword, noncommercial fisherman/engineer (American Samoa) (chair); Roger Dang, Fresh Island Fish Co. (Hawai‘i) (vice chair); Judith Guthertz, University of Guam (Guam) (vice chair); Pete Itibus, noncommercial fisher (CNMI); Shaelene Kamaka‘ala, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Hawai‘i); Frank Perez, AC Sales and Service, (Guam); Matt Ramsey, Conservation International (Hawai‘i); and Gene Weaver, Tasi to Table (CNMI). Designated state officials: Dawn Chang, Hawai‘i Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; Sylvan Igisomar, CNMI Dept. of Lands & Natural Resources (vice chair); Chelsa Muña, Guam Dept. of Agriculture; and Archie Soliai, American Samoa Dept. of Marine & Wildlife Resources (vice chair). Designated federal officials (voting): Sarah Malloy (acting), NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office. Designated federal officials (nonvoting): Colin Brinkman, U.S. State Dept.; Brian Peck, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; and RADM Sean Regan, U.S. Coast Guard 14th District.

Groundfish: NEFMC Takes Final Action on Framework 69 With Catch Limits for Four New Atlantic Cod Stock Units

December 10, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council took final action on Framework Adjustment 69 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan when it met in Newport, Rhode Island December 3-5, 2024. The framework contains catch limits and management measures for the 2025 fishing year and beyond.

The Council received three reports before beginning its decision-making on Framework 69:

  • The Northeast Fisheries Science Center presented the peer-reviewed results of 2024 Management Track Stock Assessments for American plaice, pollock, witch flounder, Atlantic halibut, Georges Bank haddock, and Gulf of Maine haddock;
  • The Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) presented overfishing limit (OFL) and acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendations for each of those newly assessed stocks; and
  • The Transboundary Management Guidance Committee (TMGC) presented recommendations for U.S./Canada shared groundfish resources on Georges Bank.

Read the full release from the New England Fishery Management Council

Scallops: NEFMC Signs Off on Framework 39 with Measures for Fishing Year 2025; May 15th Delayed Opening for Access Areas

December 5, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council took final action on Framework Adjustment 39 to the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan when it met December 3-5, 2024 in Newport, Rhode Island. The framework contains specifications and measures to guide the 2025 scallop fishing year, which begins on April 1. The action also includes default measures for fishing year 2026.

The framework must be reviewed, approved, and implemented by NOAA Fisheries before taking effect. Here are the Council’s recommended measures.

FULL-TIME LIMITED ACCESS VESSELS: The Council supported allocating full-time permit holders two access area trips in 2025 – one trip to Scallop Access Area I and the other trip to Scallop Access Area II. The Council endorsed a 12,000-pound trip limit, equating to 24,000 pounds total per vessel, as well as 24 open-area days-at-sea for this component of the scallop fishery.

PART-TIME LIMITED ACCESS VESSELS: Part-time permit holders would be allocated one access area trip into either Scallop Access Area I or Scallop Access Area II with a 9,600- pound trip limit, as well as 9.6 open-area days-at-sea.

Read the full release from the New England Fishery Management Council

NOW AVAILABLE: Draft Agenda, Meeting Materials and Webinar Information for the December 16 Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Meeting

December 3, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The draft agenda and meeting materials for the December 16th Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board meeting are now available at https://asmfc.org/files/AtlStripedBassBoardMaterials_Dec2024.pdf or on the December 2024 Atlantic Striped Bass Board Meeting page. 

The Board will meet in-person and via webinar on Monday, December 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to consider changing 2025 management measures to increase the probability of rebuilding the stock by the 2029 deadline. The meeting will be held at the Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202. The Advisory Panel Report and all written comments received by December 10 will be posted no later than December 13.

The meeting responds to the results of the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicates the resource remains overfished but is not experiencing overfishing. Short-term projections estimate an increase in fishing mortality in 2025 due to the above average 2018 year-class entering the current recreational ocean slot limit combined with the lack of strong year-classes behind it. In this scenario, the probability of rebuilding by 2029 is less than 50%. Under Addendum II to Amendment 7, the Board can change management measures through Board action, instead of developing an addendum, if the stock assessment indicates a less than 50% probability of the stock rebuilding by 2029. As a result, the Board will meet December 16 to consider changing 2025 management measures to reduce fishing mortality and increase the probability of rebuilding to at least 50%.

Webinar Information

The meeting will be broadcast via webinar; to register for the webinar, please go tohttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4124340027335222108

(Webinar ID 586-838-579).

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 389-192-580. 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.

The webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the meeting so 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

The Board Chair 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 Board Chair will also provide the opportunity for comment at the meeting, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda. The Chair has the discretion in deciding how to allocate comment opportunities. This could include hearing one comment in favor and one in opposition of a motion until the Chair is satisfied further comments will not provide additional insight to the Board.

Public Comment Guidelines

The Commission anticipates a large volume of written public comments will be submitted for this meeting. In order to compile and provide the comments to the Board in a timely manner before the meeting, written comments may be submitted via email to comments@asmfc.org by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10. Comments received after this date will not be included in the Board’s materials.

If your organization is planning to release an action alert, please contact Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at efranke@asmfc.org or 703.842.0716, so she can work with you to develop a unique subject line to enable us to better organize incoming comments.

Informational Webinar to Review Technical Report

As a reminder, the Commission will host an Informational Webinar on Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m. to review the management options developed by the Technical Committee and provide the public with sufficient background information to inform the development and submission of public comment by December 10. No public comments will be taken at this webinar; staff can address clarifying questions as time allows but public comments will not be taken. To register for the December 5 Informational Webinar, please go tohttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3243414609517348697 (Webinar ID 263-766-419).

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol, you can may also call in at +1.562.247.8422, access code 195-793-780. 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.

For more information, please contact Emilie Franke at efranke@asmfc.org.

NEFMC December 3-5, 2024 Meeting – Newport, RI – Listen Live, View Documents

November 26, 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, December 3 through Thursday, December 5, 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:  Hotel Viking, Newport, Rhode Island.

START TIME:  9:00 a.m. all three days.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day. 

COUNCIL PUBLIC OUTREACH:  Join the Council on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 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 at the Hotel Viking just outside of the Council meeting room.  All are welcome.  Light snacks will be provided.

SEPARATE SPECIAL EVENT – NOAA WORKSHOP:  After the Council adjourns on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement will conduct a workshop at roughly 6:00 p.m. titled “Ensuring a Safe Work Environment for Observers.”  This workshop will be held in person at the Hotel Viking with a webinar option.  More information is posted here.  The New England Council is not involved in the workshop, but NOAA Fisheries scheduled the event at the same hotel to facilitate participation by fishermen and others who are attending the Council meeting.

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 Wednesday, November 27, 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
  2. By speaking during the open period for public comment.  Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.
  • OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  On Tuesday, December 3, 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.

  • Here are instructions in the Remote Participation Guide for successfully joining and participating in the 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 (914) 614-3221.  The access code is 457-670-203.  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 at NEFMC December 3-5, 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.

ASMFC Northern Shrimp Section and Panel to Meet December 12 Section to Consider Draft Amendment 4 for Public Comment and Set 2025 Specifications

November 20, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section (Section) and Advisory Panel (AP) will meet on Thursday, December 12, at the Westin Portland Harborview, 157 High St, Portland, Maine; 207.775.5411. The AP will meet from 9 – 11 AM to review the 2024 stock assessment update and discuss the Technical Committee’s proposal for a pilot winter sampling program.

 
The Section will meet from 12 – 3 PM on the same day to review the 2024 stock assessment update and the Technical Committee’s pilot winter sampling program proposal, set specifications for the 2025 fishing year, and consider approval of Draft Amendment 4 for public comment. Draft Amendment 4 considers options for setting multi-year moratoria and the implementation of a management trigger. The management trigger would be comprised of a set of biological and/or environmental indicators that could signal when the northern shrimp stock in the Gulf of Maine is at a population level that could support a sustainable fishery.
 
Meeting materials will be available December 2, 2024 at https://asmfc.org/calendar/12/2024/Northern-Shrimp-Section/2423. Public comment may be submitted via email to comments@asmfc.org by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 6.
 
For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, atctuohy@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740. 
 

States Schedule Public Hearings on Spiny Dogfish Draft Addendum VII

November 19, 2024 — The Atlantic coastal states of New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input on the Draft Addendum VII to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Dogfish, which considers potential measures to maintain consistency with the federal Fishery Management Plan in response to the proposed rule to implement Spiny Dogfish Framework Adjustment 6. In addition to the December 11 hearing, stakeholders are welcome to participate in any of the virtual hearings. The public hearing details follow:

Date and Hearing Format
State/Agency
Contact
Wednesday, December 11
Hybrid Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
All Participating States (ME – FL)
 
 
703.842.0740
Tuesday, December 17 
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection
609.748.2063
Wednesday, December 18
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources & Virginia Marine Resources Commission
443.758.6547
 
757.247.2236


The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils developed Spiny Dogfish Framework Adjustment 6 in response to a 2021 Biological Opinion and 2022 Action Plan that called for reducing bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries. The coastwide Atlantic sturgeon population is made up of five distinct population segments, all of which are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and Atlantic sturgeon harvest has been under a coastwide moratorium in federal and state waters since 1998. The Commission’s Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Sturgeon maintains the moratorium through at least 2038, and while the 2024 stock assessment update showed signs of improvement, the stock remains depleted coastwide.
 
The Board initiated Draft Addendum VII in August 2024 after the Councils recommended measures to NOAA Fisheries to prohibit overnight soaks for federal spiny dogfish permit holders on gillnets with 5”-10” mesh in November and May for a certain area of state and federal waters off of New Jersey, as well as for gillnets of 5.25”-10” mesh in November through March in specified areas off of Maryland and Virginia. The options in the Draft Addendum aim to establish equivalent overnight soak restrictions for spiny dogfish harvesters in state waters that do not possess a federal spiny dogfish permit.
 
Webinar Instructions
Please note that in order to comment during virtual webinar hearings you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your phone. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. In those cases, you can send your comments to staff via email or U.S. mail at any time during the public comment period. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial +1 (631) 992-3221 and enter access code 780-880-486.
 
To register for a virtual public hearing webinar please click HERE and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, and you can join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software by (clicking here) or via the App store under GoToWebinar. We recommend you register for the hearing well in advance of the hearing since GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the Commission at info@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and we will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input at the hearing. If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can may also call in at +1 (631) 992-3221, access code 780-880-486. An audio PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar.
 
For those who cannot attend any of the virtual hearings, the Commission will also post a recording of the hearing presentation on the Commission’s YouTube page so that stakeholders may watch the presentation and submit comment at any time during the comment process. This recording will be available mid-December at http://www.asmfc.org/about-us/public-input.
 
Submitting Comments
The Draft Addendum is available at https://asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/SpinyDogfishDraftAddendumVII_PublicComment_Oct2024.pdf or via the Commission’s website at http://www.asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. All those interested in the management of spiny dogfish are encouraged to provide input either by participating in a virtual public hearing or providing written comment. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on January 3, 2025 and should be sent to James Boyle, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201 or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Spiny Dogfish Draft Addendum VII).