January 17, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
February Council Meeting Agenda: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet February 11-13, 2020 in Duck, North Carolina. The agenda is available here.
Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment: The MAFMC has scheduled eleven scoping hearings to gather public input for the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. Hearings will be held between February 13 and March 4, 2020. Written comments will be accepted through March 17, 2020. Additional details are available in the hearing announcement and scoping document.
Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment: The MAFMC and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission have scheduled eleven scoping hearings to gather public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment. Hearings will be held between February 13 and March 3. Written comments will be accepted through March 17, 2020. Additional details are available in the hearing announcement and scoping document.
SSC Nominations: The MAFMC is seeking candidates to fill four seats on its Scientific and Statistical Committee. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2020. View the announcement for details and application instructions.
IT Specialist Vacancy: The MAFMC is seeking candidates for the position of IT Specialist and Data Manager. Applications are due January 31, 2020. See the vacancy announcement for more information.
Offshore Wind Updates: The latest update on offshore wind activities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England is available here. Sign up for our offshore wind email list to receive these updates (be sure to check the box next to “Offshore Wind Updates”).
SSC Agenda: An agenda for the March 10-11 Scientific and Statistical Committee meeting is now available here.
Longfin Squid: Longfin squid incidental catch permit applications are due by February 29, 2020. See the NOAA Fisheries bulletin for more information.
Rutgers IFISSH Course: January 24th is the deadline to register for Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s Introductory Fisheries Science for Stakeholders (IFISSH) Course. This course was developed to educate New Jersey’s commercial and recreational fishing industries’ stakeholders on fisheries science and management. Classes will meet every Tuesday from January 28 through March 31, 2020. Learn more on the IFISSH web page.
Spanish Mackerel Trip Limits: The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking input on proposed commercial trip limit reductions for Spanish mackerel in the Atlantic Northern Zone (federal waters from the North Carolina/South Carolina line northward to the New York/Rhode Island/Connecticut line). The reductions are proposed to help extend the commercial season. Webinar hearings will be held January 22 and 23 at 6:00 p.m. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on February 7. More information is available here.
Upcoming Meetings:
- Jan 31: Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel Meeting (Webinar)
- Feb 4: Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Advisory Panel Meeting – Illex Quota Discussion #1 (Webinar)
- Feb 6: Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Advisory Panel Meeting (Webinar)
- Feb 7: Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Committee Meeting (Webinar)
- Feb 11-13: February 2020 Council Meeting
- Feb 18: Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Advisory Panel Meeting – Illex Quota Discussion #2 (Webinar)
- Feb 25: Spring 2020 Management Track Assessment Oversight Panel Meeting
Questions? Contact Mary Sabo – msabo@mafmc.org, (302) 518-1143.