Waterside Marriott Hotel
235 East Main Street
Norfolk, Virginia
757.627.4200

Final Agenda

The agenda is subject to chnage. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled Board meetings. The Commisison may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of Board meetings. Interested parties should anticipate Boards starting earlier or later than indicated herein.

For ease of access, all Board/Section meeting documents have been combined into three documents - Main Meeting Materials 1 (which includes all of the meeting materials for October 16 & 17); Main Meeting Materials 2 (which includes meeting materials for October 18 & 19); and Supplemental Materials. Not incuded in the main meeting combined documents are meeting materials for the ACCSP Coordinating Council, LEC, ACFHP Steering Committee and Habitat Committee). Links to individual board/committee materials can be found below.

Live-Streaming

Board meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning October 16^th at 10:15 a.m. and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 3:00 p.m.) on Thursday, October 19th. 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. Please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8911027556606824449 to register.

Annual Meeting Registration

All meetings are open to the public free of charge. Howevre, if you lan on attending any of the Annual Meeting social events, please help us prepare for theses events by registering TODAY. Click here to access the fillable registration form; once completed emial to Lisa Hartman.

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 in the briefing materials.
2. Comments received by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday, October 10, 2017 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, October 10, 2017 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

American Lobster Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) Steering Committee  Supplemental  Presentations

• Welcome/Introductions (K. Smith)
• Approval of Agenda
• Review Lake Okeechobee Water Releases and St. Lucie Reef Coral Reef Stress Responses (J. Beal)
• Review Comparison of Restored vs. Natural Oyster Reefs in the Indian River Lagoon (J. Beal)
• Final Report on Jamestown Conservation Moorings Project (C. Powell)
• Black Sea Bass Habitat Project Update (L. Havel)
• Review Mapping Project Prioritization Status (L. Havel)
  • Review Variables and Metrics for Southeast Mapping
  • Discuss Future Plans to Relocate Mapping to the Mid-Atlantic
• Recess

Tautog Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (A. Nowalsky)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2017
• Public Comment
• Amendment 1 for Final Approval (T. Kerns) Final Action
  • Review Regional Proposals
  • Consider Remaining Issues in the Draft
  • Consider Final Approval of Amendment 1
• Consider 2017 Tautog Fishery Management Plan Review (for the 2015 and 2016 Fishing Years) and State Compliance Reports (C. Starks) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Spiny Dogfish Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (D. Borden)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of
• Public Comment
• Set Fishery Specifications for the 2018/2019 Season Final Action
• Review Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Recommended 2018 Specifications
  (M. Appelman)
• Set 2018/2019 Specifications (D. Borden)
• Consider 2017 Spiny Dogfish Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports
  (M. Appelman) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Herring Section  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (R. White)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2017
• Public Comment
• Set 2018 Atlantic Herring Specifications for Area 1A (T. Kerns) Final Action
• Discuss Role of Section in Research Set Aside Process (R. White)
• Discuss New England Fishery Management Council Participation in ASMFC Herring Management (T. Kerns) Possible Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Shad and River Herring Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Clark)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2017
• Public Comment
• Discuss Shad Stock Assessment Process Recommendations (J. Kipp)
• Consider Approval of Shad and River Herring Sustainable Fishery Management Plans (SFMPs) Final Action
• Review SFMPs and Technical Committee Memo (B. Chase)
  • Connecticut – Updated Shad SFMP
  • Potomac River Fisheries Commission – Updated Shad SFMP
  • North Carolina – Updated Shad SFMP
  • South Carolina – Updated Shad SFMP
  • Georgia – Updated Shad SFMP
  • Virginia –Bycatch Plan
• Consider 2017 Shad and River Herring Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports (C. Starks) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)  Supplemental  Presentations

• Recap and Introductions (K. Smith)
• Summary of The Nature Conservancy/NOAA Seagrass and Salt Marsh Fishery Productivity Workshop (K. Smith)
• National Fish Habitat Partnership, Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership, and Whitewater to Bluewater Update (L. Havel)
  • Whitewater to Bluewater Conservation Areas
  • 2018 Multistate Conservation Grant Update
  • USFWS and NFHP Reports
• ACFHP Operations Update (P. Campfield)
• Review FY2018 NFHP Project Rankings (L. Havel)
• Lunch (not provided)
• Discuss Ideas for New ACFHP Website (L. Havel)
• 2017-2019 Action Plan Check-in (K. Smith)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Horseshoe Crab Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Rhodes)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from October 2016
• Public Comment
• Review Results of Eel and Whelk Bait Practices Survey (R. Sysak)
• Consider 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment Terms of Reference (K. Anstead) Action
  • Review Assessment Timeline
  • Review Data Confidentiality Procedures for the Assessment
  • Advisory Panel Recommendations
• Set 2018 Harvest Specifications Final Action
• Review Horseshoe Crab and Red Knot Indices of Abundance for 2017 Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Model Runs (K. Anstead)
  • Review Results of 2017 ARM Model Runs (K. Anstead)
  • Set 2018 Harvest Specifications (M. Schmidtke)
  • Review Results of ARM Model Runs Incorporating Biomedical Data and Recommendations from the ARM Subcommittee, Technical Committees, and Advisory Panel (K. Anstead, M. Schmidtke)
• Consider 2017 Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports (M. Schmidtke) Action
• Populate Advisory Panel with Non-traditional Stakeholders (T. Berger) Possible Action
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Law Enforcement Committee (LEC)
(A portion of this meeting will be a closed session for LEC members only to discuss ongoing enforecement activities. Only LEC members, authorized law enforcement personnel and the LEC Coordinator may attend)

• Call to Order/Roll Call of the Law Enforcement Committee (LEC) Representatives (M. Eastman)
• Approval of Agenda and May 2017 Minutes
• Public Comment
• Nomination of New Chair and Vice-Chair
• Review 2017 Action Plan Results and Proposed 2018 Tasks
• Review and Discuss American Lobster Management Issues
• Review and Discuss Cobia Draft Fishery Management Plan
• Review and Discuss Atlantic Menhaden Draft Amendment 3
• Review Ongoing Enforcement Issues (Closed Session)
• Review and Discuss Other ASMFC Managed Species as Needed
• Review and Discuss New Member Orientation Process

Coastal Sharks Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (R. Miller)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2017
• Public Comment
• Final Rule for Highly Migratory Species Amendment 5b (Dusky Sharks)
  • Review Final Rule & NOAA Fisheries Request for Complementary Measures (K. Brewster-Geisz)
  • Law Enforcement Committee Report (M. Robson)
  • Technical Committee Report (K. Rootes-Murdy)
  • Review State Feedback (K. Rootes-Murdy)
  • Consider Complementary Management Measures (R. Miller) Possible Action
• Set 2018 Fishery Specifications (K. Rootes-Murdy) Final Action
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

American Eel Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Clark)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2017
• Public Comment
• 2017 American Eel Stock Assessment Update
  • Presentation of Assessment Update (J. Brust)
  • Consider Management Response to Stock Assessment Update (J. Clark) Possible
• Consider 2018 Glass Eel Quota for Maine (J. Clark) Possible Final Action
• American Eel Allocation Working Group Report and Recommendations (K. Rootes-Murdy)  Possible Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Coordinating Council  Supplemental  Presentations 

• Welocme/Introductions (R. Boyles, Jr.)
• Council Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2017
• Public Comment
• ACCSP Status Report (M. Cahall)
  • Program Updates
  • Committee Updates
• Social and Economic Data Standards Update (R. Rhodes)
• Consider Recommendations of FY2018 Submitted Proposals (P. Campfield, J. Morgan) Action
• Election of Chair and Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Executive Committee
(A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for committee members and Commisisoners only)

• Welcome/Call to Order (D. Grout)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Meeting Summary from August 2017
• Public Comment
• Consider Approval of Fiscal Year 2017 Audit Action
• Consider the Continued Need for Technical Meeting Weeks
  • Review Survey Results
  • Review Assessment Science Committee Recommendations
• Discuss Quarterly Meeting Schedule
• Discuss Process to Develop the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan
• Discuss Officer Nomination Process
• Discuss Secretarial Response to Request for Additional Information on Compliance Issue
• Other Business/Adjourn

Law Enforcement Committee (continued)

• Social
• Reconvene/Review Agenda Adjustments or Change
• Review and Discuss ASMFC Species as Needed
• Review Changes to Enforceablility Guidelines Matrix Table
• Federal Agency Reports
• State Agency Reports
• Election of Chair and Vice-chair
• New Business
• Adjourn

8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Habitat Committee  Supplemental

• Welcome/Introductions (J. Murray)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2017
• Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Update (L. Havel)
• New England Fishery Management Council Habitat Impacts Modelling Work (M. Bachman)
• Determine New Language for ASMFC Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) Designations (L. Havel)
• Review 2017 Action Plan (L. Havel)
  • Species Fact Sheets
  • Habitat Hotline Atlantic
  • Habitat Management Series: Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Policy Update
• Review 2017 Action Plan (continued) (L. Havel)
  • Habitat Management Series: Aquaculture
  • Climate Change Document
• Finalize 2018 Action Plan: Habitat Management Series Topic (L. Havel)
• Communications Strategy Discussion (T. Berger)
• Finalize 2018 Action Plan (continued): HAPC and Climate Change (L. Havel)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Sturgeon Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (A. Nowalsky)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2016
• Public Comment
• 2017 Atlantic Sturgeon Benchmark Assessment
  • Presentation of Benchmark Assessment Report (L. Lee)
  • Presentation of Peer Review Panel Report (J. Ballenger)
  • Consider Acceptance of Benchmark Assessment Report for Management Use (A. Nowalsky) Final Action
  • Consider Management Response to Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report (A. Nowalsky) Possible Action
• Review Status of Incidental Take Permits for Atlantic Sturgeon (M. Appelman)
• Update on the Progress of the Endangered Species Act 5-year Status Review and Development of Recovery Targets (L. Lankshear)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Business Session  Supplemental  Audio

• Welcome/Introductions (D. Grout)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2017
• Public Comment
• Review and Consider Approval of the 2018 Action Plan Action
• Elect Chair and Vice-Chair Action
• Recess

Commissioner Workshop: ACCSP Data Collection and Management Efforts

• Welcome/Introductions (R. Boyles, Jr.)
• Standardizing Regional Fisheries Data: An ACCSP Overview (M. Cahall)
• Commercial Fisheries Data
  • Collecting Live Landings Data with SAFIS (J. Defilippi Simpson)
  • Integrating Datasets and Making Them Accessible – Data Warehouse (J. Defilippi Simpson)
  • Using Commercial Data in Science and Management
    • Stock Assessment Process (K. Drew)
    • In-season Management (N. Lengyel)
    • Solutions for Data Needs (J. Defilippi Simpson)
      • Herring Spawning Application
      • Traceability
• Commercial Data Q & A
• Recreational Fisheries Data (G. White)
  • Coordinating Regional Data Collection Efforts
  • Modernizing the Access Point Intercept Survey
  • Developing New Data Validation and Integration Methodologies
  • Recreational Q & A
• Demonstrating Value: ACCSP Outreach Efforts Moving Forward (M. Cahall)

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

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Luisi)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2017
• Public Comment
• Consider Draft Addendum XXX for Board for Public Comment (K. Rootes-Murdy) Possible Action
• Review Preliminary 2017 Recreational Harvest Estimates through Wave 4, if available (K. Rootes-Murdy)
• Consider 2017 Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance Reports (K. Rootes-Murdy, C. Starks) Action
  • Summer Flounder
  • Scup
  • Black Sea Bass
• Consider Potential 2018 Wave 1 Opening of the Black Sea Bass Recreational Fishery (M. Luisi) Possible Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Gilmore)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2017
• Public Comment
• Consider 2017 Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports (M. Appelman) Action
• Consider Recommendations for the 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment Possible Action
  • Technical Committee Report (N. Lengyel)
  • Provide Guidance on Reference Points
• Elect Chair and Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (D. Grout)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2017
• Public Comment
• Update from the Executive Committee (D. Grout)
• Update on Noncompliance Decision and Meeting with the Secretary of Commerce (D. Grout)
• Review Risk and Uncertainty Workgroup Progress (J. McNamee)
• Discuss Recommendation from Atlantic Herring Section on New England Fishery Management Council Participation in ASMFC Herring Management (T. Kerns) Possible Action
•  Discuss Noncompliance in the Charter and Party Boat Sector (T. Kerns)
• Review White Paper from the Climate Change Working Group (T. Kerns)
• Standing Committee Reports
  • Habitat (L. Havel)
  • Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (L. Havel)
  • Law Enforcement Committee (M. Robson)
• Discuss the Utility of Reporting Species Technical Committee Assignments (S. Madsen)     
• Review and Consider Committee on Economics and Social Sciences’ (CESS) Recommendation on the ISFMP Charter Guidance for CESS Membership (S. Madsen) Final Action
• Review and Consider Approval of Assessment Schedule (T. Kerns) Action
  • Review Changes to the Shad and Weakfish Assessment Timeline
• Consider Noncompliance Recommendations (If Necessary)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Business Session  Supplemental  Audio

• Consider Final Approval of Northern Shrimp and Tautog Amendments Final Action
• Consider Noncompliance Recommendations (If Necessary) Final Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

South Atlantic State/Federal Fisheries Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Estes)
• Board Consent
• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of Proceedings from August 2017
• Public Comment
• Consider Cobia Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Final Approval (L. Daniel) Final Action
  • Review Options and Public Comment Summary
  • Review Committee Reports
  • Consider Final Approval of Cobia FMP
• Review Maryland Proposal for Black Drum Commercial Harvest (L. Fegley) Action
  • Black Drum Technical Committee Memo on Maryland Proposal (M. Schmidtke)
• Progress Report on Potential Adjustments to Atlantic Croaker and Spot Traffic Light Analyses (J. Kipp)
• Consider 2017 Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance Reports (M. Schmidtke) Action
  • Red Drum
  • Black Drum
  • Spotted Seatrout
• Discuss Removal of Spotted Seatrout from Commission Management (M. Duval) Possible Action
• Other Business/Adjourn