January 29, 2014 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's February 2014 meeting in New Bern, North Carolina.
February 11-13, 2014
Double Tree by Hilton-Riverfront
100 Middle St., New Bern, NC 28560
Telephone 252-638 3585
For online access to the meeting, enter as a guest at:
http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/february2014/
Briefing materials will be posted as they become available at:
http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/february-2014
Meeting Agenda
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Tuesday, February 11
9:00 a.m. Council convenes
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Climate Change and Fishery Science Workshop
The purpose of the workshop is to inform the Council about the state of climate science relative to prediction of climate change and the expected ecosystem impacts/changes which may occur over the next two decades. Workshop outcomes will help the Council in the development of an adaptive fishery management framework that will effectively deal with ecosystem responses related to climate change.
Wednesday, February 12
9:00 a.m. Council convenes
9:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish as a Committee of the Whole Slippage Framework (Framework Meeting 2 – action to minimize slippage events on observed mackerel trips)
Omnibus Observer Funding Amendment (review purpose, goals, and preliminary alternatives)
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Ricks E Savage Award
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Council convenes
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Omnibus Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) Framework
Tier 2 assessment revisions, multiyear issues, automatic incorporation of new reference points
Framework Meeting 1
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Framework 8 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP- Scup Gear Restricted Areas (GRAs)
Framework Meeting 1
Review data/analyses on the current Northern and Southern GRAs
Consider options to maintain, modify, or remove the current GRAs
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology Amendment
Doug Potts, NMFS
Approve Amendment for submission
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Data Portal Presentation
Kevin St. Martin, Rutgers
Review project goals, methods and illustrative draft maps of Mid-Atlantic fishing activity summarized by port and gear groups
Provide advice to MARCO Portal team on best approaches and opportunities for engaging fishermen to review, discuss and improve project data and maps
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Public Hearing South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Coastal Migratory Pelagics Amendment 1
The amendment will update the Annual Catch Limits (ACL) for Atlantic migratory group Spanish mackerel and Gulf migratory group Spanish mackerel based on the recent stock assessment and new ABC recommendations from the Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs).
Thursday, February 13
8:30 a.m. – 09:00 a.m. Monkfish Framework 8
Approve final measurements which include:
2014‐2016 ABC/Annual Catch Target (ACT), Days‐at‐Sea, and Trip Limits
Northern boundary for Permit Category H vessels
9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Business Session
Organizational Reports
NMFS Regional Administrator
NMFS NEFSC Director
NOAA Office of General Counsel
Federal Enforcement Officials (NMFS and USCG)
ASMFC Executive Director
Liaison Reports
New England Council (January 28-30, 2014)
South Atlantic Council
Executive Director's Report – Chris Moore
Science Report – Rich Seagraves
Committee Reports
Continuing and New Business
The above agenda items may not be taken in the order in which they appear and are subject to change as necessary. Other items may be added, but the Council cannot take action on such items even if the item requires emergency action without additional public notice. Non-emergency matters not contained in this agenda may come before the Council and / or its Committees for discussion, but these matters may not be the subject of formal Council or Committee action during this meeting. Council and Committee actions will be restricted to the issues specifically listed in this agenda. Any issues requiring emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that arise after publication of the Federal Register Notice for this meeting may be acted upon provided that the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. The meeting may be closed to discuss employment or other internal administrative matters.