Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

ASMFC 2021 Fall Meeting Webinar
October 18-21

Final Agenda

The agenda is subject to change. Bulleted items represent the anticipated major issues to be discussed or acted upon at the meeting. The final agenda will include additional items and may revise the bulleted items provided below. 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 meeting materials have been combined into two documents: Main Meeting Materials and Supplemental Materials. Please note: The Main Meeting Materials does not include the Tautog Board materials. For ACCSP Coordinating Council members, the FY2022 Funding Proposals Ranking, which is in an excel spreadsheet, is provided as a separate link.

Live Streaming

Board meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Monday, October 18 at 9 a.m. and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 4:45 p.m.) on Thursday, October 21. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur. To register for the webinar go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/180425878123839504 (Webinar ID: 349-122-851).

Each day, the webinar will begin 30 minutes prior to the start of the first meeting so that people can troubleshoot any connectivity or audio issues they may encounter.  If you are having issues with the webinar (connecting to or audio related issues), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790.

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can also call in at  914.614.3221, access code 580-881-020. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar; see webinar instructions for details on how to receive the PIN.

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 ask members of the public to raise their hands to let the chair know they would like to speak. Depending upon the number of commenters, the board chair will decide 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 the meeting (September 27) will be included in the briefing materials.
  2. Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 5 will be included in the supplemental materials.
  3. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, October 15 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.

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

Monday, October 18
9 AM - Noon

American Lobster Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Review Annual Data Update of American Lobster Abundance Indices
    (K. Reardon)
  • Discuss Development of Draft Addendum XXVII on Gulf of Maine/
    Georges     Bank Resiliency (C. Starks)
    • Consider Plan Development Team (PDT) Recommendations on Objectives
    • Provide Feedback to PDT on Proposed Options
  • Progress Update on Draft Addendum XXIX: Electronic Vessel Tracking Devices in Federal American Lobster and Jonah Crab Fisheries
    (C. Starks)
  • Consider Next Steps for Development of a Management Strategy Evaluation of American Lobster Fisheries (J. Kipp) Possible Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
Noon - 12:45 PM Lunch Break
12:45 - 1:15 PM

Atlantic Herring Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (C. Patterson)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Set Quota Period for the 2022 Area 1A Fishery (E. Franke) Final Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
1:30 - 4 PM

Tautog Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (W. Hyatt)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Review 2021 Stock Assessment Update (N. Ares)
  • Consider Management Response to 2021 Stock Assessment Update (W. Hyatt) Possible Action
  • Review and Provide Feedback on Risk and Uncertainty Decision Tool for Tautog (J. McNamee)
  • Develop Guidance for Law Enforcement Committee Review of Commercial Tagging Program (K. Rootes-Murdy)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
4:15 - 5:15 PM

Atlantic Large Whale (ALW) Take Reduction Team Update (M. Trego) Presentation  Audio

NOAA Fisheries will provide an update on ALW Take Reduction efforts. The update will include a review of the final rule to amend the ALW Take Reduction Plan to reduce risk of serious injury and mortality to North Atlantic right whales caused by incidental entanglement in Northeast Jonah crab and lobster trap/pot fisheries. Scoping on the next phase of rulemaking is ongoing, through October 21, 2021. Additionally, NOAA FIsheries will provide an overview of scoping efforts to inform the Take Reduction Team's development of recommendations to modify the ALW Take Reduction Plan to reduce risk to North Atlantic right whales in coastwide gillnet and Atlantic mixed species trap/pot fisheries and Mid-Atlantic lobster fisheries.

Tuesday, October 19
9 - 10:30 AM

Shad and River Herring Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Davis)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Consider American Shad Habitat Plans/Updates (B. Neilan) Action
  • Consider Technical Committee Report on Methods for Evaluating Mixed-stock Catch (B. Neilan) Possible Action
  • Progress Report on Prioritizing Systems for Shad Recovery and Developing Inventory of Available Data to Support Development of Fish Passage Criteria (B. Neilan)
  • Update from U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center on Alosine Science in Support of Interstate Management (T. O'Connell)
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
10:30 - 11 AM Break
11 AM - 12:30 PM

Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program Coordinating Council  FY2022 Funding Proposals Ranking  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Carmichael)
  • Council Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Recommendations for FY2022 Submitted Funding Proposals (J. Simpson) Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
12:30 - 1:15 PM Lunch Break
1:15 - 5:15 PM (includes break)

Atlantic Menhaden Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (S. Woodward)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Provide Guidance to the Technical Committee and Ecological Reference Points Work Group on Priorities for Completing Next Benchmark Stock Assessment (M. Cieri) Possible Action
  • Progress Update on Development of Draft Addendum I to Amendment 3 (K. Rootes-Murdy) Possible Action
  • Update on 2020-2021 Atlantic Menhaden Mortality Events (J. Brust)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
Wednesday, October 20
8 - 10 AM

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

  • Welcome/Call to Order (P. Keliher)
  • Committee Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Meeting Summary from August 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Review and Consider Approval of FY2021 Audit (S. Woodward) Action
  • Discuss Policy on Responding to FOIA Requests (R. Beal)
  • Discuss Commission Involvement in Wind Energy Development (J. Cimino)
  • Discuss Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program 
  • Discuss Appeals Process (R. Beal)
  • Future Annual Meetings Update (L. Leach)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
10 - 10:30 AM Break
10:30 - 11 AM

Coastal Sharks Management Board  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (M. Bell)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • of Proceedings from February 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Set Specifications for 2022 Fishing Year (K. Rootes-Murdy) Final Action
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Business Session  Supplemental  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (P. Keliher)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Approval of 2022 Action Plan Action 
  • Elect Chair and Vice-Chair Action
  • Recess
12:15 - 1 PM Lunch Break
1 - 5:15 PM (includes break)

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. Borden)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Draft Amendment 7 for Public Comment (E. Franke) Action
  • Consider Draft Addendum VII for Public Comment (E. Franke) Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
Thursday, October 21
8:30 - 10 AM

Horseshoe Crab Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2020
  • Public Comment
  • Set 2022 Harvest Specifications Final Action
    • Review Horseshoe Crab and Red Knot Abundance Estimates and 2021 Adaptive Resource Management Model Results (J. Sweka)
    • Set 2022 Harvest Specifications (C. Starks)
  • Progress Update on Revision to the ARM Framework (J. Sweka)
  • Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2020 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
10:15 - 11:15 AM

Spiny Dogfish Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (C. Batsavage)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2020
  • Public Comment
  • Review Analysis on Trip Limit and Market Price (J. Didden)
  • Review and Revise (if needed) 2022/2023 Specifications (K. Rootes-Murdy)
  • Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2020 Fishing Year
    (K. Rootes-Murdy) Action
  • Update on Research Track Assessment (J. Didden)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

American Eel Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

  • Welcome/Call to Order (L. Fegley)
  • Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Extending Maine’s Glass Eel Quota for 2022-2024 (K. Rootes-Murdy) Final Action
  • Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2020 Fishing Year (K. Rootes-Murdy) Action
  • Progress Update on 2022 Benchmark Stock Assessment (K. Anstead)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
12:15 - 12:45 PM Lunch Break
12:45 - 4:30 PM

Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board  Supplemental 
Presentations  Audio (A portion of this meeting will be held with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC))

  • Welcome/Call to Order (P. Keliher)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2021
  • Public Comment
  • Update on Draft Addendum/Framework on Harvest Control Rule for Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass (This agenda item will be considered with the MAFMC)
  • Executive Committee Report (P. Keliher)
  • Review Management and Science Committee Tasks to Address Conservation Equivalency Concerns (T. Kerns)
  • Presentation of NOAA Fisheries on Efforts and Next Steps to Reduce Sea Turtle Bycatch in Several Trawl Fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region, Including Summer Flounder, Atlantic Croaker, and Longfin Squid
    (M. Pentony)
  • Update on East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Initiative
    (T. Kerns)
  • Review Noncompliance Findings (if necessary) Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
4:30 - 4:45 PM

Business Session  Supplemental  Audio

  • Reconvene
  • Consider Noncompliance Recommendations (if necessary) Final Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn