ASMFC Winter Meeting, February 4-6, 2014

Crowne Plaza Hotel Old Town

901 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia

703.683.6000

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 8:00 a.m. on February 4th, continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 5:15 p.m.) on February 6th.  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/936149238. Board/Section summaries, presentations, and audio files will be available on the Commission website the week of February 10th.

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 January 28, 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, January 28, 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.

February 4

8 - 9 AM

Atlantic Herring Section Presentations  Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (T. Stockwell)
  • Section Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Discuss and Consider Changes to Management Area 1A  (T. Stockwell) Action
    • Spawning Areas Efficacy
    • Gear Type Declarations
    • Fixed-Gear Quota
  • Set Area 1BSpecifications for 2014 (T. Stockwell) Final Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
9:15 - 10 AM

Winter Flounder Management Board Supplemental Material Presentations Audio File

  • Welcome /Call to Order (R. White)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance (M. Yuen) Action
  • Set Specifications for 2014 Fishing Year (M. Yuen) Final Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Supplemental Material
Presentations Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (T. O’Connell)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Draft Addendum IV for Public Comment (M. Waine) Action
    • Technical Committee Report on Reference Points
    • Catch and Release Fishing in the EEZ
  • Consider 2013 Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance (M. Waine) Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
1:15 - 4:15 PM

Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board Supplemental Material Presentations Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. Pierce)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Draft Addendum XXV for Final Approval Final Action
    • Review of Draft Addendum XXV (K. Rootes-Murdy)
    • Public Comment Summary (K. Rootes-Murdy)
    • Consider Final Approval of Addendum XXV
  • Consider Approval of State Scup Recreational Proposals (K. Rootes-Murdy) Action
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
3 - 4 PM

Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Executive Committee Supplemental Material

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 October 29, 2013
    • Approval of Proceedings from December 17, 2013 Conference Call
  • ACCSP Program Updates
    • FIS Funding to ACCSP
    • FY2014 Projects Funded
    • NOAA Fisheries Electronic Technology Initiative
    • Review NMFS Regional/Science Center Future Visioning
    • Review FIN Review Report and ACCSP Response Action
    • ACCSP/ASMFC MRIP APAIS Conduct Recommendations
  • Status of Independent Program Review Recommendations Implementation
    • Status of Standard Operating Procedures Document (M. Cahall)
    • Status of 2014-2018 Operations Committee Draft Strategic Plan (T. Hoopes)
  • Discussion of Draft Terms of Reference for ACCSP Governance Review Action
    • Discuss Next Steps
  • Review List of Action Items from May 20, 2013 through December 17, 2013 and Current Status
  • Closed Session (Executive Committee Members only)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
4:30 - 6 PM

ACCSP Coordinating Council Supplemental Material

  • Welcome/Introductions (C. Patterson)
  • Approval of Agenda Action
  • Public Comment
  • ACCSP Update Report
    • Program Status (M. Cahall)
    • Program Review Process
    • Update on FIN Review
  • Review and Consider Approval of 2014-2018 Strategic Plan (M. Cahall) Action
  • Review Recommendations from Operations Committee Review of State Conduct for MRIP (T. Hoopes) Action
    • Approval of Transition Plan
  • Update of Funding for Fiscal Year 2014 Approved Projects (M. Cahall)
  • Other Business/Adjourn

February 5

8 - 10 AM

Executive Committee Supplemental Material

A portion of this meeting will be a closed session for Executive                Committee members only.

  • Welcome/Call to Order (L. Daniel, III)
  • Committee Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Meeting Summary from October 2013
  • Public Comment     
  • Discuss Conflict of Interest Policy (R. Beal)
  • Discuss Process for Developing ASMFC Position Regarding Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization (R. Beal)
  • Discuss State Participation in Multispecies Management Boards (R. Beal)
  • Discuss State Administration of MRIP Survey (R. Beal)
  • Other Business (Closed Session for Executive Committee Members Only)
  • Adjourn
8:30 AM - Noon

Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program Board Supplemental Material Presentations

  • Welcome and Introductions (S. Heins)
  • Approval of Agenda                                        
  • Approval of Meeting Minutes from February 2013 Action        
  • Public Comment
  • NEAMAP Survey Reports
    • NEAMAP Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic Nearshore Trawl Survey (C. Bonzek, J. Gartland)
    • Maine-New Hampshire Inshore Trawl Survey (L. Mercer)
    • Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Bottom Trawl Survey (D. Pierce)
  • Discuss Long-term Funding for NEAMAP
  • MAFMC Research Set-aside Auction
  • Reports and Recommendations from NEAMAP Committees
    • Data Management (C. Bonzek)
    • Operations (J. Gartland)
  • Review and Approve NEAMAP 2014 Operations Plan Action
  • Discuss Inclusion of Other Surveys to NEAMAP
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action      
  • Other Business/Adjourn
10:15 - 11:45 AM

Atlantic Menhaden Management Board Supplemental Material Presentations Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Boyles, Jr.)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Florida’s Alternative Management Proposal (M. Waine) Action
  • Review Compliance Report Components for the 2013 Fishing Year (M. Waine)
  • Technical Committee Report (M. Waine)
    • Benchmark Stock Assessment Progress Report
  • Other Business/Adjourn
12:45 - 1:45 PM

Weakfish Management Board Presentations  Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Allen)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2012
  • Public Comment
  • 2013 Stock Status Indicators (J. Cimino)
  • Consider Delaware Conservation Equivalency Action
    • Review Delaware’s Proposal (J. Clark)
    • Technical Committee Report (J. Cimino)
    • Consider Delaware’s Alternative Management Proposal
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
2 - 3 PM

Business Session (Strategic Planning) Supplemental Material Presentations Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (L. Daniel, III)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Draft 2014-2018 Strategic Plan for Public Comment  Final Action
    • Review Public Comment
    • Consider Approval of Draft 2014-2018 Strategic Plan 
  • Other Business/Adjourn
3:15 - 5:45 PM

Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board Supplemental Material Presentations  Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (L. Daniel, III)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Meet and Greet with Eileen Sobeck, Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries
  • Review NOAA Marine Debris' Program Derelict Gear Assessment (N. Wallace)
  • Review Proposed Rulemaking on Special Management Zones for Five Artificial Reefs off the Coast of Delaware (M. Pentony)
  • ASMFC 2013 Commissioner Survey Results (T. Kerns)
    • Summary of Results
    • Discuss Next Steps
  • Discuss Definitions for Annual Fisheries Performance Overview (T. Kerns)
  • Discuss and Consider Recommendations from the Cancer Crab Fishery Improvement Project (T. Kerns) Possible Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn

February 6

8 - 9:30 AM

American Eel Management Board Presentations  Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (T. Stockwell)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Update on 2014 Maine Elver Fishery Management Measures (T. Stockwell)
  • Technical Committee Report (S. Eyler)
    • Update on Draft Addendum IV Board Tasks
    • American Eel Farm Aquaculture Request Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
9:45 - 10:45 AM

Shad and River Herring Management Board  State Habitat Plans
Supplemental Material Presentations  Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (T. Stockwell)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Consider 2013 Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance (M. Hawk) Action
  • Review of Shad Habitat Plans for Amendment 3 Action
    • Overview and Technical Committee Report (M. Dionne)
    • Consider Approval of State Habitat Plans
  • Update on New England Fishery Management Council and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Actions (L. Steele)
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
11 - 11:45 AM

Sturgeon Management Board Supplemental Material Presentations Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Allen)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Benchmark Stock Assessment Terms of Reference (K. Drew) Action
  • Consider 2013 Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance (M. Waine) Action
  • Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership (M. Waine) Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
12:15 - 1:15 PM

Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Sharks Management Board Supplemental Material Presentations Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (M. Gibson)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance (M. Hawk) Action
  • Review of State Proposals for Addendum III Action
    • Plan Review Team Report (M. Hawk)
    • Consider Approval of State Implementation Plans
  • Review Coastal Sharks Seasons and Possession Limits White Paper
    • Plan Development Team Report (M. Hawk)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
1:30 - 3:30 PM

Horseshoe Crab Management Board Presentations  Audio File

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. Simpson)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Review Transfer Request from North Carolina (M. Hawk) Action
  • Update on New England and New York Stock Trends (J. Sweka)
  • Discuss Biomedical Mortality and Confidentiality
    • Biomedical Working Group Report (M. Hawk)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
3:45 - 5:15 PM

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

  • Welcome/Call to Order (P. Geer)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2013
  • Public Comment
  • Review Updated Traffic Light Analysis (C. McDonough) Action
    • Croaker
    • Spot
    • Discuss Potential Management Options
  • Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance (K. Rootes-Murdy) Action
    • Spot
    • Spotted Seatrout
    • Spanish Mackerel
  • Review and Consider Proposed Changes to Virginia's Red Drum Commercial Management Measures in 2014 (K. Rootes-Murdy) Action
    • Technical Committee Report (K. Rootes-Murdy)
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn