The Westin Alexandria

400 Courthouse Square
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

703.253.8600

Final Agenda

The agenda is subject to change. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled Board meetings. The Commission 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 two documents - Main Meeting Materials (please note this does not include main meeting materials for the American Lobster Board) and Supplemental Materials (please note this does not include supplemental materails for the South Atlantic Board). Links to individual board/committee materials can be found below.

Live-Streaming

Board/Section meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning May 8^th at 1:00 p.m.  and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 3:00 p.m.) on Thursday May 11^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. Please go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/936308200287732994 to register.

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 May 2, 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, May 2, 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

May 8

Climate Change Work Group

• Continue to Draft White Papers on Science and Policy Strategies to Assist the Commission in Adapting its Management to Changes in Species Abundance and Distribution Resulting from Climate Change Impacts

 Atlantic Herring Section  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (R. White)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2017
• Public Comment
• Consider Addendum I for Final Approval Final Action
  • Review Options (A. Harp)
  • Public Comment Summary (A. Harp)
  • Advisory Panel Report (J. Kaelin)
  • Law Enforcement Committee Report (M. Robson)
  • Consider Final Approval of Addendum I
• Review Scoping Commnets on a Tiered Weekly Landings Limit Possible Action
• Discuss 2016 Spawning Closure Pilot Program (R. Zobel) Final Action
  • Consider Permanent Implementation of the Forecast System
• Consider Approval of 2017 Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports (A. Harp) Action
• Review and Populate the Atlantic Herring Advisory Panel Possible Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

American Lobster Management Board  Omnibus Deep-Sea Coral Amendment  Presentations  Audio1  Audio2

• Welcome/Call to Order (D. Borden)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from January 2017
• Public Comment
• Discuss New England Fishery Management Council Deep-Sea Coral Amendment Possible Action
  • Overview of Deep-Sea Coral Amendment Management Alternatives (M. Bachman)
• American Lobster Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Subcommittee Report (M. Ware)
• Update on Development of American Lobster Draft Addendum XXVI (M. Ware)
• Consider American Lobster Addendum XXV for Final Approval Final Action
  • Review Options (M. Ware)
  • Public Comment Summary (M. Ware)
  • Law Enforcement Committee Report (M. Robson)
  • Advisory Panel Report (G. Moore)
  • Consider Final Approval of Addendum XXV
• Recess

May 9

American Lobster Management Board (continued)  Presentations 
Audio 1  Audio2

• Reconvene
• Consider Addendum XXV for Final Approval Final Action
• Consider Inconsistencies between State and Federal Regulations Possible Action
  • Addenda XXI and XXII Provisions in Federal Waters (M. Ware)
  • Lobster Conservation Management Area 4 Season Closure (M. Ware)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Law Enforcement Committee (LEC)
(A portion of this meeting will be a closed session for Law Enforcement Committee members only to discuss ongoing enforcement activities)

• Call to Order/Roll Call of the LEC Representatives (M. Eastman)
• Approval of Agenda and Minutes from May 2016
• Public Comment
• Review and Update of Regional Tautog Management Options
• Review 2017 Action Plan Items
• Report on Atlantic Herring Addendum I Final Action
• Discuss Storm Preparedness, Training and Equipment
• Discuss New or Emerging ASMFC Species Management Issues
• Review and Discuss American Lobster Management Issues
• Review and Discuss Ongoing Enforcement Activities (Closed Session)
• Federal Agency Reports
• State Agency Reports
• Discuss NOAA Priority-setting and Planning for ASMFC Input
• Update Survey for Enforceability Guidelines
• Discuss ISFMP Species Management Issues
• Develop Orientation Process for New LEC Members
• Other Business/Adjourn

Tautog Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (A. Nowalsky)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2017
• Public Comment
• Review Consistent Management Measures by Region (J. McNamee, A. Harp)
  • Massachusetts/Rhode Island
  • Long Island Sound
  • New Jersey/New York Bight
  • Delaware/Maryland/Virginia
• Consider Draft Amendment 1 for Public Comment Action
  • Review Management Options (A. Harp)
  • Law Enforcement Report (J. Snellbaker)
  • New York Letter to the Board Regarding the Long Island Sound Boundaries (J. Gilmore)
• 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 February 2017
• Public Comment
• Consider Draft Addendum V for Public Comment (M. Appelman) Action
  • Technical Committee Report (N. Lengyel)
• Consider Approval of 2018 Atlantic Striped Bass Benchmark Stock Assessment Terms of Reference (K. Drew) Action
• Board Guidance to Stock Assessment Subcommittee Regarding Development of Biological Reference Points for the 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment (K. Drew)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Menhaden Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (R. Ballou)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2017
• Public Comment
• Consider Hilborn et al. 2017 Paper for Technical Review (R. Ballou) Possible Action
• Biological Ecological Reference Points Work Group Progress Report (S. Madsen)
• Update on Draft Amendment 3 (M. Ware) Possible Action
  • Review Allocation Workgroup Recommendations
  • Provide Guidance/Additional Input to Plan Development Team Regarding Management Options
• New York Participation in Episodic Events Program (J. Gilmore) Possible Action
• Provide Guidance to Technical Committee Regarding Stock Projections
  • Review Stock Projection Methodology (J. McNamee)
• Consider Approval of 2017 FMP Review and State Compliance Reports (M. Ware) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

May 10

Executive Committee  Supplemental
(A portion of this meeting may be a closed sesion for Committee members and Commissioners only)

• Welcome/Call to Order (D. Grout)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Meeting Summary from February 2017
• Public Comment
• Report of the Administrative Oversight Committee
  • Presentation of FY18 Proposed Budget
• Discussion on Advisory Panel Members Serving as Board Proxies
• Consider the Necessity for Technical Committee Meeting Weeks (R. Beal)
• Future Annual Meetings Update (L. Leach)
• Executive Director’s Annual Performance Review (R. Beal) (Closed Session)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Coastal Sharks Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (R. Miller)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from October 2016
• Public Comment
• Final Rule for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Amendment 5b (Dusky Sharks)
  • Review Final Rule for HMS Amendment 5b (K. Brewster-Geisz)
  • Advisory Panel Report (L. Gillingham)
  • Consider Complementary Management Measures (R. Miller) Possible Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Coordinating Council  Presentations

• Welome/Introductions (R. Boyles, Jr.)
• Public Comment
• Council Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from October 2016
• ACCSP Status Report
• Program Status (M. Cahall)
• Committee Updates (P. Campfield)
• Review and Consider Approval of 2017 Request for Proposals (M. Cahall) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council  Supplemental #1 Supplemental #2   Presentations  Audio 1  Audio 2

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Luisi)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from February 2017
• Public Comment
• Scup Addendum XXIX for Final Approval (K. Rootes-Murdy) Final Action*
  • Review Management Alternatives
  • Public Comment Summary
  • Technical Committee Report
  • Advisory Panel Report
  • Consider Final Approval of Addendum XXIX
    * Council will also take action on Scup Framework 10
• Review Summer Flounder Draft Comprehensive Amendment Range of Alternatives for Commercial Issues (K. Rootes-Murdy, K. Dancy)
• Consider 2017 Black Sea Bass Recreational Measures (K. Rootes-Murdy) Final Action
  • Review Final 2016 Recreational Black Sea Bass Harvest Estimate
  • Consider Management Response to the Final Harvest Estimate
• Review White Paper on Potential Experimental Recreational Wave 1 Black Sea Bass Fishery (B. Muffley) Possible Final Action*
  • Consider Postponed Motion to Allow Experimental Wave 1 For-hire Fishery:
    • Motion to allow an experimental 2018 January/February (wave one), recreational federally permitted for-hire fishery for black sea bass with a 15 fish per person possession limit, a suspended minimum size limit, and a zero discard policy to allow for barotrauma, and a mandatory trip reporting requirement.
      * Joint Board and Council Action
• Review State Compliance with Addendum XXVIII Summer Flounder Recreational Measures for 2017 Possible Action
• Review White Paper on Summer Flounder Recreational Specifications (R. Ballou)
• Other Business/Adjourn

May 11

Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board 
Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (D. Grout)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from January 2017
• Public Comment
• Executive Committee Update (D. Grout)
• Review and Consider New Jersey Appeal of Addendum XXVIII to the Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan Final Action (D. Grout)
• Update on Climate Change Working Group (T. Kerns)
• Review and Discuss 2017 Commissioner Survey Results (D. Tompkins)
• Committee Report on Safe Harbor Landings (J. Gilmore) Possible Action
• Update on the Marine Recreational Information Program Transition of the Fishing Effort Survey and APAIS (D. Van Voorhees)
• Review and Consider Approval of Standard Meeting Practices (T. Kerns) Action
• Progress Update on the 2017 Sturgeon Benchmark Stock Assessment (K. Drew)
• Review and Consider Approval of the Assessment Schedule (S. Madsen) Action
• Standing Committee Reports
  • Law Enforcement Committee (M. Robson)
  • Habitat and Artificial Reefs (L. Havel)
  • Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (L. Havel)
• Review Non-compliance Findings (if necessary) Final Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Business Session (if necessary)  Supplemental  Audio

• Welcome/Introductions (D. Grout)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
• Public Comment
• Review Non-compliance Findings (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 February 2017
• Public Comment
• 2017 Atlantic Croaker Benchmark Stock Assessment Final Action
  • Presentation of Benchmark Stock Assessment Report (L. Lee)
  • Peer Review Panel Report (P. Campfield)
  • Consider Acceptance of Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for Management Use
  • Consider Management Response to Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report (J. Estes)
• 2017 Spot Benchmark Stock Assessment Final Action
  • Presentation of Benchmark Assessment Report (C. McDonough)
  • Peer Review Panel Report (P. Campfield)
  • Consider Acceptance of Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for Management Use
  • Consider Management Response to Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report(J. Estes)
• Progress Report on Cobia Draft Fishery Management Plan (L. Daniel)
  • Provide Guidance to the Plan Development Team
• Other Business/Adjourn