Saving Seafood

Council Actions

Draft Agenda and Meeting Materials for the October 3 Webinar of the Sciaenids Management Board Now Available

September 19, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

The draft agenda, meeting materials, and webinar information for the upcoming meeting of the Sciaenids Management Board are now available at https://asmfc.org/calendar/10/2024/Sciaenids-Management-Board/2376. Please note there are two separate links to meeting materials: the Draft Agenda and Meeting Materials and the Risk and Uncertainty Tool Spreadsheet (in excel format).

 
The purpose of the meeting is to reintroduce the Risk and Uncertainty Decision Tool to the Board and seek its guidance on the initial inputs to the tool. The Risk and Uncertainty Decision Tool uses information on stock status, model uncertainty, ecosystem considerations, and socioeconomic factors to recommend the probability of success that management actions should strive to achieve. The Board will provide initial guidance on how to weight these different factors within the tool at this meeting. The final recommended probability will be determined by the results of the Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review and the Board’s final decisions on weighting, both of which will be presented and discussed at the Commission’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Annapolis, Maryland.
 
Webinar Information
To register for the webinar, please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2780599376940485726(Webinar ID: 215-972-339). 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 213.929.4212, access code 332-825-134. 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.
 
Meeting Process
The Board Chair will provide an opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of the meeting. The Board Chair 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.
 
The webinar will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the 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.
 
Public Comment Guidelines
With the intent of developing policies in the Commission’s procedures for public participation that result in 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. The Board Chair 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, the Board Chair will provide limited opportunity for comment, taking into account the time allotted on the agenda for the topic. The Board Chair has the flexibility to decide 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, the Board Chair has 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 by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26 will be included in supplemental materials.
2.    Comments received by 10 a.m. on Monday, September 30 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.
 
For more information, please contact Tracey Bauer, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, attbauer@asmfc.org.

Meeting Summary and Presentations from the September 13 Meeting of the Northern Shrimp Section Now Available

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

The meeting summary, motions and presentations from the September 13th meeting of the Northern Shrimp Section are available on the Commission’s Meeting Archives webpage at https://asmfc.org/calendar/meeting-archive or through the following links:

Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Contractor to Develop a Framework to Evaluate Changes in Stock Distribution

September 16, 2024 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Climate-driven changes in species distributions create uncertainties in the fisheries management process, in some cases leading to governance challenges as species move across jurisdictional boundaries. Species distribution changes can also have important effects on fishery behavior, fishing locations, and market/shoreside trends. Understanding these dynamics and their impacts will be critical for reducing uncertainties in the management process and for developing climate resilient management and governance strategies.

The Mid‐Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is seeking a highly qualified contractor to develop a framework for evaluating and monitoring species distribution changes. This project will be conducted in two phases. During the first phase, the contractor will develop a comprehensive synthesis of data and other information regarding stock and fishery distribution trends for Mid-Atlantic Council managed species. During the second phase, the contractor will develop a framework to monitor changes in species distributions and fishery locations, including appropriate indicators and metrics designed to indicate potential governance issues for managers. The contractor will test the application of this framework with a sub-set of species managed by, or of interest to, the Mid-Atlantic Council. The outcomes of this work will inform a Council policy for monitoring and responding to changes in stock and fishery distributions.

Complete details about the scope of work, contractor qualifications, and proposal submission instructions can be found in the request for proposals (RFP). Proposals are due October 18, 2024.

NEFMC September 24-26, 2024 Meeting – Gloucester, MA – Listen Live, View Documents

September 16, 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, September 24 through Thursday, September 26, 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:  Beauport Hotel, Gloucester, Massachusetts.

 

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, September 24, 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 Beauport Hotel.  All are welcome.

 

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, September 19, 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, September 24, 2024 at 2:00 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 (562) 247-8422.  The access code is 530-706-239.  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 September 24-26, 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.

SSC Advances Guam Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan and Evaluates Seabird Bycatch Mitigation Techniques

September 16, 2024 — The following was released by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

At its meeting this week, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) reviewed and discussed options for modifying Guam’s bottomfish rebuilding plan, focusing on balancing sustainable fishing opportunities with stock recovery goals. 

In 2019, the Guam bottomfish fishery was declared overfished, which requires the Council to rebuild the Guam bottomfish stock, per the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The Council developed a rebuilding plan that set an annual catch limit (ACL) of 31,000 pounds, with in-season monitoring that would close the fishery if the limit is exceeded. A stock assessment update presented in June 2024 found that while the Guam bottomfish fishery is not overfished, it has not met the rebuilding threshold.

After evaluating catch projections and accountability measures, the SSC recommended an option which sets ACL of 34,500 pounds, allowing for continued fishing while ensuring the stock is rebuilt by 2031. The SSC noted all ACL options (0; 31,000; or 34,500 pounds) would achieve the rebuilding plan, but the 34,500-pound ACL maximizes fishing opportunities.

“These fisheries are about catching food; we should fulfill the legal requirements while still maximizing catch,” said SSC member Ray Hilborn, University of Washington.

Regarding accountability measures, the SSC did not recommend in-season monitoring because of delays for the creel surveys and catch expansions. SSC member Frank Camacho, University of Guam, said “the juice is not worth the squeeze,” regarding the feasibility of relying on creel surveys.

The SSC recommended a post-season overage adjustment based on a three-year rolling average, preventing overfishing while avoiding premature fishery closures. The SSC also addressed concerns about potential negative impacts of a federal fishing moratorium. This action could drive fishers out of the industry permanently. The SSC highlighted the importance of local management.

The SSC endorsed the results from a July 2024 Guam bottomfish data review panel, and recommends the data be used in the next benchmark stock assessment. This was the first ever review on the data that will go into the stock assessment, incorporating fishermen’s perspectives on the data. The Pacific Islands Fishery Science Center presented the next steps, which are to include fishery-independent survey data and additional life history information in the next stock assessment, expected by 2027. The SSC underscored the need for more detailed data to differentiate inshore and offshore fishing, noting possible shifts in species targeted over time. 

Hawai‘i Longline Seabird Mitigation Measure Experiment

The SSC reviewed the results of a seabird bycatch mitigation study that indicated albatrosses were significantly more likely to interact with Hawai‘i shallow-set longline gear on paired tori (bird scaring) lines deployed partially during the day compared to night sets with blue-dyed bait. 

In 2021, the Council recommended a pilot study be conducted to develop appropriate seabird mitigation measures for the Hawai‘i-based shallow-set fishery that targets swordfish. The goal was to find a combination of mitigation measures that would be as effective at deterring seabirds during dusk as the current suite of night-setting strategies. 

The SSC recommended the lightweight short-streamer tori line, as used in the experiment, not be included as an approved mitigation measure for the Hawai‘i shallow-set longline fishery. This design was shown to be effective in the deep-set fishery, and is now part of its suite of required measures. However, the shallow-set fishery operates in areas with windier conditions and higher seabird encounter rates, likely making the design less effective. 

Since 2004, the Hawai‘i shallow-set longline fishery has been required to set their gear at night and use blue-dyed fish bait. Prior to this, fishermen adjusted their setting time around the sunset hours according to the moon phase, which affects swordfish vertical migration patterns. Following the successful trials conducted in the Hawai‘i deep-set fishery, shallow-set fishermen expressed interest in testing tori lines as a potential mitigation tool, aiming to increase operational flexibility by allowing gear setting to begin during sunset hours. 

The SSC endorsed the next steps from the project report and recommended the Council consider additional experiments for alternative seabird measures for this fishery. These experiments may include evaluating the effectiveness of night setting with and without blue-dyed bait to determine if it may be removed from the mitigation measures, or testing hook-shielding devices to enable partial daytime setting.

 

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); 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, 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.

ASMFC 82nd Annual Meeting Details, Preliminary Agenda, and Public Comment Guidelines

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!

SSC Meeting to Tackle Key Fisheries Management Issues Next Week

September 6, 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 convene Sept. 11-13, 2024, to address important issues impacting fisheries management in the Pacific Islands.

Noncommercial Fisheries Data Updates: The SSC will evaluate improvements to the Hawai‘i Marine Recreational Fishing Survey and review its potential use in stock assessments, annual catch limits and monitoring efforts. Presentations will cover the latest data improvements, feedback from a recent fishermen’s workshop and the potential to use the data in annual reports.

Guam Bottomfish Rebuilding Plan: A new stock assessment update presented in June 2024 found that while the Guam bottomfish fishery is not overfished, it has not met rebuilding criteria. The SSC may provide recommendations on modifications to the rebuilding plan and review projections to rebuild the stock by 2031, in alignment with the Mariana Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan.

Guam Bottomfish Data for Future Assessments: The SSC will consider the Western Pacific Stock Assessment Review report on Guam bottomfish data and discuss how this data may be used in future stock assessments, including single-species and multi-model assessments.

Hawai‘i Shallow-Set Longline Fishery Tori Line Experiment: The SSC will review results from an experimental fishing project that tested tori (bird scaring) lines as a seabird bycatch mitigation measure. This pilot study was designed to explore an alternative combination of seabird mitigation techniques that could allow for more flexible fishing hours during dusk compared to the current night-setting requirements.

False Killer Whale Interaction Analysis: The SSC will review an analysis of foreign fleet impacts on false killer whale populations and may provide advice on managing interactions in Hawai‘i’s deep-set longline fishery.

Striped Marlin Rebuilding Plan: In light of recent stock assessment projections, the SSC will review potential rebuilding scenarios for striped marlin to inform the U.S. delegation at the upcoming Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting. The aim is to meet WCPFC targets of rebuilding the stock to 20% of unfished biomass by 2034.

Annual Research Prioritization: The SSC will identify priorities for 2025 from the adopted 2025-2029 Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act research priorities. The list may be ranked in order of importance to inform regional National Marine Fisheries Service research activities for next year.

The SSC meeting is open to in-person or remote participation via web conference for attendees. The full agenda, background documents and instructions for connecting to the meeting and providing public comments are available at www.wpcouncil.org/event/153ssc-meeting.

ASMFC American Lobster Board Releases Draft Addendum XXXI for Public Comment Draft Addendum Considers Postponing Implementation of Addendum XXVII Biological Management Measures

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

A public hearing has been scheduled to gather input on Draft Addendum XXXI to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. The Draft Addendum considers postponing the implementation of Addendum XXVII gauge and escape vent size changes to July 1, 2025. One general hearing will be conducted via webinar and is open to all to participate.

Addendum XXVII was adopted in May 2023 and established a trigger mechanism to automatically implement management measures to provide additional protection of the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank (GOM/GBK) spawning stock biomass. Changes to the current gauge and escape vent sizes in Lobster Conservation Management Areas (LCMAs) 1, 3, and Outer Cape Cod (OCC) were triggered based on observed changes in recruit abundance indices in October 2023 with the inclusion of 2022 survey data in the trigger index. The Board then extended the implementation date to begin the series of changes to gauge and vent size by January 1, 2025, starting with an increase to the minimum gauge size in LCMA 1 from 3 ¼” to 3 5/16” to coordinate with Canada regarding possible trade implications, and give the industry and gauge makers additional time to prepare for these changes. Based on a meeting held between US and Canadian lobster fishery managers and industry members in June 2024, the Board determined that postponing implementation of Addendum XXVII’s biological measures to July 1, 2025 would reduce negative impacts to the US and Canadian lobster industries in 2025 and allow Canada more time to consider implementing complementary management measures.

 

Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Releases Summer Flounder Draft Addendum XXXV for Public Comment

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved for public comment Draft Addendum XXXV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass. The Draft Addendum considers changes to two exemptions to the summer flounder commercial minimum mesh size requirements: the Small Mesh Exemption Program (SMEP) and the flynet exemption. These changes are being considered following industry feedback indicating the SMEP has become an important program to maintain the economic viability of businesses and the definition of a flynet should be updated to reflect modern gear configurations and use patterns. Specifically, the Draft Addendum considers moving the western boundary of the SMEP approximately five miles westward, changes to the review methodology of the SMEP, and updates to the definition of a flynet under the flynet exemption. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is considering an identical set of options through a framework action. 

Mid-Atlantic Council Invites Public Input on Next 5-Year Strategic Plan

August 13, 2024 —  The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Public Input Webinar Scheduled for Aug. 20; Written Comments Accepted Through Sept. 4

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public input to inform development of its next strategic plan. The Council’s strategic plan provides a framework for prioritizing activities from year to year and ensuring steady progress toward long-term goals. The current plan will expire at the end of 2024. The Council is now soliciting public input to help shape the next plan for 2025 through 2029.

Interested parties are encouraged to provide input during a public webinar scheduled for Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Written comments may also be submitted via a public comment form or by email to msabo@mafmc.org. All comments must be received by Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

This is an important opportunity for the public to help shape the future management of Mid-Atlantic fisheries. The Council welcomes feedback on its performance relative to the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan as well as recommendations for priority issues to be addressed in the next plan for 2025-2029.

The Council is scheduled to review public comments and consider a draft strategic plan at its October 2024 Council Meeting.

Quick Links

Questions? Contact Mary Sabo at msabo@mafmc.org or 302-526-5261.