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Final Agenda

Please note: The agenda is subject to change. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of meetings. Interested parties should anticipate meetings starting earlier or later than indicated herein.

Board/Section meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning at 10 a.m. on May 12^th, continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 3:15 p.m.) on May 15^th. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board/section deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur. No comments or questions will be accepted via the webinar. Should technical difficulties arise while streaming the broadcast the boards/sections will continue their deliberations without interruption. We will attempt to resume the broadcast as soon as possible. To register for the webinar, please go to https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/341449758. Board/section summaries, presentations, and audio files will be available on the Commission website the week of May 19th.

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. Board chairs will use a speaker sign-up list in deciding 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 3 weeks prior to the start of a meeting week will be included on the briefing CD.

2.   Comments received by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday immediately preceding the scheduled ASMFC Meeting (in this case, the Tuesday deadline will be May 6, 2014) will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting and a limited number of copies will be provided at the meeting.

3.   Following the Tuesday, May 6, 2014 5:00 PM deadline, the commenter will be responsible for distributing the information to the management board prior to the board meeting or providing enough copies for the management board consideration at the meeting (a minimum of 50 copies).

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, fax, and email.

General Background Materials

Final Agenda

May 12

Atlantic Herring Section  Supplemental Material  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (T. Stockwell)
• Section Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2014
• Public Comment
• Update on NEFMC Framework 4 Actions (M. Yuen)
• Consider the Public Information Document for Draft Amendment 3 for Public Comment (M. Yuen) Action
• Update on Georges Banks/Nantucket Shoals Study (T. Kerns)
• Other Business/Adjourn

American Eel Management Board  Presentations  Audio1  Audio2

• Welcome/Call to Order (T. O’Connell)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2014
• Public Comment
• Update on 2014 Maine Elver Fishery Management Measures (T. Stockwell)
• Technical Committee Report (S. Eyler)
• Consider Draft Addendum IV for Public Comment (K. Taylor) Action
• Recess for Lunch
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Spiny Dogfish Management Board  Supplemental Material  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Gibson)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
• Public Comment
• Review Spiny Dogfish Possession Limits Possible Action
  • MAFMC Industry Advisory Committee Report (J. Armstrong)
  • Technical Committee Report (S. Newlin)
  • Rhode Island Proposal for Alternative Management (R. Ballou)
• Review Consistency of Federal and State Management of Spiny Dogfish (M. Hawk) Possible Action
• Review NOAA Fisheries’ Amendment 3 Proposed Rule for Spiny Dogfish (M. Hawk)
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

May 13

Commissioner Workshop on Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Reauthorization  Supplemental Material  Presentations

• Welcome and Introductions (R. Beal)
• Presentations from Congressional Staff
• Overview of Stakeholder Positions and Commission Impacts (R. Beal)
• Discussion to Determine Commission Position on Elements of the MSA Reauthorization
• Adjourn

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board  Supplemental Material (revised May 8, 2014)  Presentations  Audio1 Audio2

• Welcome/Call to Order (D. Grout)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2014
• Public Comment
• Consider Catch and Release Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone Possible Action
  • Law Enforcement Report (K. Blanchard)
  • Technical Committee Report (C. Godwin)
  • Advisory Panel Report (K. Place)
• Technical Committee Report on Reference Points (C. Godwin)
• Consider Draft Addendum IV for Public Comment (M. Waine) Action
• Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership (M. Waine) Action
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Law Enforcement Committee
(A portion of this meeting will be a closed session for Law Enforcement Committee members only)

• Welcome/Call to Order (L. Ingerson)
• Roll Call of the States
• Approval of Agenda and Minutes from October 2013 Action
• Public Comment
• Review of Law Enforcement Committee Guidelines for Enforceability
• Association of Fish and Wildlife Association (AFWA) and Conservation Chief’s Association Update
• Follow-up Discussion of American Eel Addendum IV
• Discussion of Other ISFMP Species Issues (as needed)
• Wildlife Violator’s Compact
• Review and Discussion of Ongoing Enforcement Activities (Closed to the Public)
• Discussion of Protected/Endangered Species Issues
• Presentation on Maine’s New Dealer/Harvester Swipe Card System
• Recess

May 14

South Atlantic State/Federal Fisheries Management Board Supplemental Material  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (P. Geer)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2014
• Public Comment
• Consider Spot Draft Addendum I and Atlantic Croaker Draft Addendum II for Public Comment (K. Rootes-Murdy) Action
• Overview of Sheepshead and Kingfish Fisheries (K. Rootes-Murdy)
  • Consider Recommendation to the ISFMP Policy Board to Explore Fishery Management Plans for Sheepshead and Kingfish Possible Action
• Review and Populate South Atlantic Species Committees (K. Rootes-Murdy)
  • South Atlantic Advisory Panel
  • Red Drum Stock Assessment Subcommittee Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Law Enforcement Committee (continued)

• Meet and Greet with Commissioners and Staff
• Discussion of Social Media Uses and Challenges for Resource Enforcement
• Follow-up Discussion of Atlantic Striped Bass Management Issues
• Discussion of Joint Enforcement Agreement (JEA) Program and Other Funding Issues
• Federal Agency Reports
• State Agency Reports
• Other Business/Adjourn

Interstate Fisheries Management Program (ISFMP) Policy Board Supplemental Material  Presentations  Audio1 Audio2 

• Welcome/Call to Order (L. Daniel)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2014
• Public Comment
• Management and Science Committee Report
  • Investigations of Climate-induced Shifts in Stock Distributions
  • Evaluation of State Quota Allocations (M. Armstrong)
• Consider Initiating Cancer Crab Fishery Management Plan (T. Kerns) Action
• American Lobster Stock Assessment Update (G. Nesslage)
• Assessment Science Committee Report (G. Nesslage) Action
  • Update to the Stock Assessment Schedule
• Review and Consider Comments on NOAA Fisheries Stock Assessment Prioritization (G. Nesslage) Action
• Committee on Economics and Social Science Report (S. Madsen)
• Reports from the Habitat and Artificial Reef Committees (M. Yuen)
• Law Enforcement Committee Report (M. Robson)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Legislators & Governors' Appointees Luncheon  Supplemental Material

• Welcome/Introductions (D. Abbott, R. White)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Meeting Summary from October 2013
• Election of Governor Appointee Vice-Chair Action
• Statement of Related Interest Policy Discussion
  • Review Updated Draft Policy
  • Submit Recommendations to the Commission for Consideration
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Executive Committee
(A portion of this meeting will be a closed session for Executive Committee members only)

• Welcome/Introductions (C.Patterson)
• Committee Consent Action
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from April 3, 2014 Conference Call
  • Approval of FY2015 Request for Proposals and Funding Decision Document
• Public Comment
• ACCSP Program Updates (M. Cahall)
  • Lobster Trap Tag Reporting System Meeting
  • North Carolina Input on Methodology to Incorporate Census Data into MRIP Estimates
  • FY2014 Funded Projects
• Status of Independent Program Review Recommendations Implementation (M. Cahall)
  • IPR Progress Report
• ACCSP Governance Ad-Hoc Committee Update (R. Boyles)
• Funding Subcommittee Update (R. Beal)
• Operations Committee and Subcommittee Update (T. Hoopes)
• Discuss Potential State Implementation of MRIP-APAIS and Identify Opportunities to Assist the States in Developing Proposals and Budgets
• Progress Report of Action Items from Last Meeting
  • Scorecard from the IPR Monitoring Committee Review of the IPR Recommendations (M. Cahall)
  • Lobster Trap Tag Reporting System (M. Cahall)
  • Methodology to Incorporate Census Data into MRIP Estimates  (M. Cahall)
  • Governance Ad-Hoc Workgroup (R. Boyles)
  • Funding Subcommittee (R. Beal, C. Patterson)
  • Presentation of the Final Strategic Plan for Coordinating Council Approval (M. Cahall)
  • Continue Discussion of Potential State Implementation of MRIP-APAIS and Opportunities to Assist the States in Developing Proposals and Budgets
  • Operations Committee and Subcommittee (T. Hoopes)
• Closed Session for Executive Committee Only
• Other Business/Adjourn

Commissioner Workshop on the Marine Recreational Information Program  Supplemental Material  Presentations

• Welcome and Introductions (R. Beal)
• Overview of State Implementation of MRIP (M. Cahall, G. White)
• Overview of Budget and Costs (D. VanVoorhees)
• Gulf Experiences
  • Dave Donaldson, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
  • Luiz Barbieri, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Atlantic Coast Experiences
  • Kathy Knowlton, Georgia Coastal Resources Division
  • Doug Mumford, North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
  • Kevin Sullivan, New Hampshire Fish and Game
• Q & A Session with Presenters
• Adjourn

May 15

Executive Committee  Supplemental Material

• Welcome/Call to Order (L. Daniel)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Meeting Summary from February 2014
• Public Comment     
• Report of the Administrative Oversight Committee, D. Grout
  • Presentation of the FY15 Budget Action
• Review Updated Conflict of Interest Policy, R. Beal
  • Review Recommendation of Legislators/Governors’ Appointees, D. Abbott
• Discussion of American Eel Enforcement Efforts
• Consider Resolution to Appoint Robert E. Beal as Trustee on Commission’s Retirement Plan
• Future Annual Meetings Update, L. Leach
  • October 27-30, 2014 -  Mystic, Connecticut
  • 2015 – Florida
  • 2016 – Maine
  • 2017 – Virginia
  • 2018 – New York
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Menhaden Management Board  Supplemental Material  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (R. Boyles, Jr.)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2014
• Public Comment
• Review and Consider 2014 FMP Review and State Compliance (M. Waine) Action
• Review 2013 Bycatch Landings (M. Waine) Possible Action
• Technical Committee Report (G. Nesslage)
  • Benchmark Stock Assessment Progress Report
• Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership (M. Waine) Action
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

ACCSP Coordinating Council  Supplemental Material

• Welcome/Introductions (C. Patterson)
• Council Consent Action
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2014
• Public Comment
• ACCSP Status Report (M. Cahall)
  • Program Update
  • New Program Assistant
  • Current Projects Update
    • MRIP Proportional Standard Error
    • SAFIS Hand-Held Trip Reporting
    • Lobster Trap Tag Transferability
  • NOAA Fisheries Funding Awards
    • MRIP For-hire Data Integration
    • Fisheries Information System End User Query Rebuild
  • FY2014 Final Funding
• ACCSP Committee Update (T. Hoopes)
  • Consider Approval of 2014-2018 Outreach Strategic Plan Action
• Independent Program Review Progress (T. Hoopes)
• Review and Consider Approval of Modified 2014-2018 Strategic Plan (C. Patterson) Action
• Review and Consider Approval of 2015 Request for Proposals and Funding Decision Documents (C. Patterson) Action
• Distribution of 2013 Fiscal Year in Review (A. McElhatton)
• Other Business/Adjourn

ISFMP Policy Board (if needed)  Supplemental Material  Presentations  Audio1 Audio2

• Welcome/Call to Order (L. Daniel)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
• Public Comment
• Review of Non-compliance Findings (if necessary)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Business Session (if needed)

• Welcome/Call to Order (L. Daniel)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
• Public Comment
• Other Business/Adjourn