November 7-10

The Ocean Place
1 Ocean Boulevard
Long Branch, New Jersey

Final Agenda

This will be a hybrid meeting to allow for remote participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders in all meetings except for those of the Law Enforcement Committee, Habitat Committee and Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee. 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 meeting materials (with the exception of those for Law Enforcement Committee, Habitat Committee and Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee) have been combined into two documents: Combined Materials and Supplemental Materials Combined.

Live Streaming

Webinar link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4231613862377585163

Webinar ID:153-669-435

Phone: 562.247.8422, access code 664-449-644

This will be a hybrid meeting to allow for remote participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders in all meetings except for those of the Law Enforcement Committee, Habitat Committee and Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee. Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Monday, November 7 at  9 a.m. and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 2:30 p.m.) on Thursday, November 10. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur.  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.

Each day, the webinar will begin 15 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 voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you can may also call in at 562.247.8422, access code 664-449-644. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar; see webinar instructions for details on how to receive the PIN. For those who will not be joining the webinar but would like to listen in to the audio portion only, press the # key when asked for a PIN.

Public Comment

To provide a fair opportunity for public input, the ISFMP Policy Board  approved the following guidelines for use at management board meetings.

For issues that are not on the agenda, management boards will continue to provide an 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 (October 17) will be included in the briefing materials.
2. Comments received by 5:00 PM on Tuesday,  November 1 will be included in the supplemental materials.
3. Comments received by 10:00 AM on Friday, November 4 will be distributed electronically to Commissioners/Board members prior to the meeting.

General Background Materials

• Official Roster
• Travel Authorization Form
• Travel Reimbursement Guidelines
• Travel Voucher
• Proxy Form
• AP Nomination Form
• Financial Disclosures and Conflict of Interest Policy & Form
• Compact, Rules and Regulations
• ISFMP Charter
• 2019-2023 Strategic Plan
• 2022 Action Plan
• Appeals Process
• Conservation Equivalency Guidance Document
• Status of the Stocks
• Assessment Schedule
• 2022 Summer Meeting Summary

Monday, November 7

Atlantic Herring Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Ware)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2022
• Public Comment
• Update on New England Fishery Management Council’s (NEFMC) 2023-2025 Specifications and NOAA Rulemaking Timeline (E. Franke)
• Set Quota Period for the 2023 Area 1A Fishery (E. Franke) Final Action
• Consider Vacant ASMFC Seat on NEFMC’s Atlantic Herring Committee (M. Ware) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

9:30 AM - Noon
&
1:15 - 4 PM

Habitat Committee  Presentations

• Welcome/Call to Order (R. Babb)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Meeting Notes from May 2022
• Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Update (L. Havel)
• Northeast Regional Habitat Assessment Update (J. Coakley, M. Bachman)
• Bluefish Benchmark Stock Assessment Habitat Section Update (L. Havel, K. Wilke)
• Status Updates (L. Havel, C. Enterline, R. Babb)
  • Habitat Management Series: Acoustics
  • Habitat Hotline Atlantic
  • Fish Habitats of Concern
• East Coast Climate Change Scenario Planning Update (T. Kerns)
• Species Assignments Check-In (R. Babb, T. Kerns)
• Overview of Climate Resiliency Work in New Jersey (M. Yepsen)
• Aquaculture Update from NOAA Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (K. Madley, M. Bachman)
• Elect Chair and Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

American Lobster Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. McNamee)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2022
• Public Comment
• Update on North Atlantic Right Whale Court Cases
• Review Annual Data Update of American Lobster Indices (K. Reardon)
• Consider Next Steps on Draft Addendum XXVII on Increasing Protection of Spawning Stock Biomass of the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Stock (C. Starks) Possible Action
• Update from Work Group on Implementation of Addendum XXIX on Electronic Vessel Tracking for Federal Permit Holders (C. Starks)
• Discuss the Trap Transfer Tax for the American Lobster Fishery (D. McKiernan)
• Progress Update on Jonah Crab Benchmark Stock Assessment (J. Kipp)
• Consider Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance for American Lobster and Jonah Crab for 2021 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program Coordinating Council  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Carmichael)
• Council Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2022
• Public Comment
• Consider FY2023 Project and Administrative Proposals for Funding for Approval (J. Simpson) Action
• Consider Atlantic Recreational Implementation Plan for Approval (2023-2027) (G. White) Action
• Program and Committee Updates
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Gary)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2022
• Public Comment
• Consider 2022 Atlantic Striped Bass Stock Assessment Update Possible Action
  • Presentation of Stock Assessment Report (G. Nelson)
  • Consider Management Response (if necessary)
• Consider Draft Addendum I on Quota Transfers for Public Comment (E. Franke) Action
• Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership (T. Berger) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Tuesday, November 8

Shad & River Herring Management Board  Supplemental  Supplemental2  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Davis)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2022
• Public Comment
• Consider Approval of American Shad Habitat Plan Update (B. Neilan) Action
• Massachusetts Taunton River Addition
• Consider Approval of River Herring Sustainable Fishery Management Plan (SFMP) Updates (B. Neilan) Final Action
  • Massachusetts Nemasket River Update and Herring River Addition
  • Maine SFMP Addendum
• Update on the 2023 River Herring Benchmark Stock Assessment
  (K. Drew) Action
  • Approve Draft Terms of Reference
  • Approve Stock Assessment Subcommittee Membership
• Presentation of NOAA River Herring Habitat Conservation Plan (B. German)
• Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership (T. Berger) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

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

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Snellbaker)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
• Public Comment
• Review and Discuss Vessel Tracks Agency Interface (J. Simpson)
• Update on Changes to Enforceability Guidelines (J. Snellbaker)
• Review and Discuss Commission Species (as needed)
• State Agency Reports
• Review and Discuss Ongoing Enforcement Activities (Closed Session)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Coastal Pelagics Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2022
• Public Comment
• Update on 2022 Spanish Mackerel Stock Assessment and Peer Review (J. Carmichael)
  • Presentation of 2022 Stock Assessment Update to Date
  • Presentation of 2022 Stock Assessment Peer Review Report and Response from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
• Review Differences Between the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Federal FMP for Spanish Mackerel (E. Franke)
• Consider Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance for the 2021 Fishing Year (E. Franke) Action
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Atlantic Cobia
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) Steering Committee  Presentation

• Welcome/Introductions (K. Smith)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Minutes from July 2022
• Overview of ACFHP in the Next Few Months (K. Smith, P. Campfield, L. Havel)
• Wrap Up and Overview of Day 2

Climate Change Scenario Planning Initiative Workshop  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Introduction, Background, and Purpose of Workshop (J. Star, T. Kerns)
• Description and Discussion by Scenario
  • Do you agree with/recognize the challenges, opportunities and possible actions for each scenario?
  • What else is important to note about each scenario that is not yet covered? What would you add?
• Polling Questions
  • Which scenario is closest to describing the situation as you see it today?
  • Which scenario do you believe is most likely to play out by 2042?
• Public Comment
• Recurring Ideas and Main Takeaways
  • Looking across all scenarios, what issues emerge that require further discussion?
  • Cover each of the management themes in turn: cross-jurisdictional governance, data & science, alternative ocean uses, adaptability
  • Are there any issues (outside the four theme areas) that we should also include in further conversations (e.g., Summit)?
• Key Discussion Topics for the Summit
  • What are the big questions that this conversation raises for ASMFC that you would like to see addressed at the Summit?
  • What are the questions this raises for East Coast fishery management in general (i.e., all Councils/Commission) that you’d like to see addressed at the Summit?
  • What specific recommendations would you propose be considered at the Summit?
  • As we prepare for the Summit, what should the Core Team be mindful of?
• Public Comment
• Adjourn

Wednesday, November 9

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

• Welcome/Call to Order (S. Woodward)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Meeting Summary from August 2022
• Public Comment
• Review and Consider Approval of FY2022 Audit (J. Cimino) Action
• CARES Act Update (R. Beal)
• Review Draft De Minimis Policy (T. Kerns)
• Review Spending Strategy for North Atlantic Right Whale/Lobster Funding (R. Beal)
• Update on the Review of the Conservations Equivalency Process (T. Kerns)
• Future Annual Meetings Update (L. Leach)
• Other Business/Adjourn

ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)  Presentation

• Reconvene
• Strategic Plan Discussion (L. Havel)
  • Review Current Draft of Strategic Plan
  • Consensus on Objectives, Strategies, Order, and Language
• Action Planning 2023-2024 (K. Smith, L. Havel)
• Wrap Up and Overview of Day 3 (K. Smith

Business Session  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (S. Woodward)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2022
• Public Comment
• Consider Approval of 2023 Action Plan (S. Woodward) Final Action
• Elect Chair and Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Recess

Coastal Sharks Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Bell)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2022
• Public Comment
• Set Specifications for 2023 Fishing Year (D. Colson Leaning) Final Action
• Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for 2020 Fishing Year (D. Colson Leaning) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Menhaden Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Bell)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2022
• Public Comment
• Consider Addendum I to Amendment 3 on Commercial Allocations, Episodic Event Set Aside Program, and Incidental Catch/Small-scale Fisheries for Final Approval Final Action
  • Review Public Comment Summary (J. Boyle)
  • Review Advisory Panel Report (M. Lapp)
  • Consider Final Approval of Addendum I
• Set Specifications for 2023 Fishing Year Final Action
  • Review Technical Committee Report of Stock Projections (J. Newhard)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Thursday, November 10

Horseshoe Crab Management Board  Supplemental2  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Clark)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2022
• Public Comment
• Consider Addendum VIII on Implementation of Recommended Changes from 2021 Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Revision and Peer Review Report for Final Approval Final Action
  • Consider Public Comment Summary (C. Starks)
  • Consider Advisory Panel Report (B. Hoffmeister)
  • Consider Final Approval on Addendum VIII
• Set 2023 Delaware Bay Harvest Specifications Final Action
  • Review Horseshoe Crab and Red Knot Abundance Estimates and ARM Model Results (J. Sweka)
  • Set 2023 Specifications (C. Starks)
• Review and Populate Work Group to Review Best Management Practices for Handling Biomedical Collections (C. Starks) Action
• Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for 2021 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)  Presentation

• Reconvene
• Action Planning 2023-2024 (continued) (K. Smith, L. Havel)
• Wrap Up and Discuss Next Steps (K. Smith)
• Adjourn

Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (S. Woodward)
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2022
• Public Comment
• Executive Committee Report (S. Woodward)
• Review Draft De Minimis Policy (T. Kerns) Possible Final Action
• Committee Reports
• Habitat (L. Havel) Possible Final Action
• Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (L. Havel)
• Law Enforcement (T. Kerns)
• Progress Update on Ongoing Stock Assessments (K. Drew, J. Kipp)
  • Black Drum
  • Black Sea Bass
  • Bluefish
  • Spiny Dogfish
• Review Noncompliance Findings (if necessary) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn