Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries

Commission

2025 Annual Meeting

Date(s):

Oct 27–30, 2025

Location:

Hyatt Place, Dewey Beach, DE

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  1. Contact
  2. Meeting Info
  3. Meeting Agenda
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Meeting Information

Final Agenda
Meeting Summary
Background Materials

Contact

Tina Berger, 703.842.0749

Pending Actions

Action

Status

Public Comment

To ensure fair opportunity for public input, ASMFC meetings offer opportunities for verbal comments on non-agenda and agenda items. Written comments are accepted following a specific timeline for inclusion in meeting materials. Read the guidelines for more information.

Comment Guidelines

To provide 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 opportunities 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 comments 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 comments for issues for which the Commission has NOT established a specific public comment period (i.e., in response to proposed management action).

  • Comments received three weeks prior to the start of a meeting week (October 6) will be included in the briefing materials.
  • Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 21 will be included in supplemental materials.
  • Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, October 24 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 and email.

Meeting 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.

Monday, October 27, 2025

9 – 11 AM — Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program Coordinating Council

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Zobel)
  • Council Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider FY2026 ACCSP Project and Administrative Proposals for Funding (J. Simpson) Action
  • Program and Committee Updates (G. White, J. Simpson)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Presentations
  3. Audio

10 AM – 5 PM — Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee

Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/462557844

  • Welcome & Introductions (J. Coakley)
  • Committee Consent (J. Coakley)
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of May 2025 Meeting Minutes
  • ACFHP-Funded Project Updates (S. Kaalstad)
    • Recently Completed Projects
    • Recently Active Projects
  • National Fish Habitat Partnership Updates (R. Roberts, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies)
  • Beyond the Pond Update (D. Hart, Southeast Alaska Fish Habitat Partnership)
  • Development Strategies
    • Cover Letter & Outreach Package for Potential Corporate Donors
  • Outreach Development & Implementation Plans (S. Kaalstad)
  • Recess/Reconvene October 28
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Presentations

11:15 – 11:45 AM — Atlantic Herring Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. Grout)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Set Quota Period for the 2026 Area 1A Fishery (E. Franke) Final Action
  • Consider Approval of FMP Review and State Compliance for the 2024 Fishing Year (E. Franke) Action
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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11:45 AM – 1 PM — Lunch Break

1 – 2:30 PM — Tautog Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (M. Gates)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider 2025 Tautog Stock Assessment Update (K. Drew) Possible Action
    • Consider Acceptance of Stock Assessment Update for Management Use
    • Consider Management Response, If Necessary
  • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2024 Fishing Year (J. Boyle) Action
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action 
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  2. Presentations
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2:45 – 5 PM — American Lobster Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Zobel) 
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider 2025 American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment Action
    • Presentation of Stock Assessment Report (T. Pugh)
    • Presentation of Peer Review Panel Report (T. Miller)
    • Consider Acceptance of Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for Management Use
    • Consider Management Response, if necessary
  • Consider Reports from Gulf of Maine States on Industry Surveys and Meetings Possible Action (C. Wilson, R. Zobel)
  • Update on Joint Council Omnibus Alternative Gear Marking Framework (A. Murphy)
  • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance for American Lobster and Jonah Crab for the 2024 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  2. Presentations
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6 – 7:30 PM — Welcome Reception at the Big Chill Beach Club

ACFHP Melissa Laser Award Presentation

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

8:30 – 10 AM — Horseshoe Crab Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (E. Reid)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Set Delaware Bay Bait Harvest Specifications Final Action
    • Review Horseshoe Crab and Red Knot Abundance Estimates and Model Results from the Adaptive Resource Management Framework (J. Sweka)
    • Set Specifications for the 2026 Fishing Year or for Up to Three Years (C. Starks)
  • Update on Stakeholder Engagement Process Planning for Evaluating Adaptive Resource Management Framework Reward, Utility, and Harvest Policy Functions (C. Starks)
  • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2024 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
  • Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership Action
    • Board Work Group Report on Advisory Panel Composition (C. Starks)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Supplemental
  3. Presentations
  4. Audio

9 AM – 5 PM — ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)

Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/462557844

  • Reconvene
  • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Workshop Planning (E. Schneider)
  • Guest Speaker (A. Rogerson, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship)
  • ArcGIS Story Map Update (S. Kaalstad)
  • Project Monitoring Survey Update (S. Kaalstad)
  • Partner Outreach
    • South Carolina, Maine, Connecticut, and/or Tribal Steering Committee Membership
  • Next Steps & Other Business
  • Adjourn

10:15 – 10:45 AM — American Eel Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (K. Kuhn)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for 2024 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
  • Consider Florida Proposal to Discontinue Young-of-Year Sampling (E. Burgess) Possible Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  2. Presentations
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11 AM – Noon — Commission Business Session

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2025
  • Consider Approval of 2026 Action Plan Final Action
  • Elect Commission Chair and Vice-Chair Final Action
  • Other Business
  • Recess/Reconvene on October 30
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Noon – 1:15 PM — Lunch Break

1 – 5 PM — Law Enforcement Committee

(A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for Committee members and the LEC Coordinator only)

Webinar link:    https://v.ringcentral.com/join/812270566 (Meeting ID: 812270566)

Call in: +1 (650) 419-1505 US (Access Code / Meeting ID: 812270566

  • Welcome/Call to Order (S. Pearce) 
  • Committee Consent (S. Pearce)
    • Approval of Agenda
  • Public Comment
  • Introductions
  • Joint Enforcement Agreement/CEP Funding Update (S. Pearce)
  • Sector Separation (C. Tuohy/ T. Bauer)
  • Review and Discuss Commission Species
    • Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum III (K. Blanchard)
    • Red Drum Draft Addendum II (T. Bauer)
    • Other Species
  • Recess/Reconvene October 29
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Supplemental

1:15 – 5:15 PM — Atlantic Menhaden Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Clark)
  •  Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider 2025 Single-Species Assessment Update and Ecological Reference Point Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report Action
    • Overview of Single-Species Assessment (C. Craig)
    • Overview of Ecological Reference Point Assessment (M. Cieri)
    • Presentation of Peer Review Report (S. Gaichas)
    • Consider Acceptance of 2025 Stock Assessments and Peer Review Report for Management Use
    • Consider Management Response, if necessary
  • Set Specifications for the 2026-2028 Fishing Years (C. Craig) Final Action
  • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2024 Fishing Year (J. Boyle) Action
  • Consider Commercial Quota Reallocation (J. Boyle) Possible Action
  • Consider Plan Development Team Direction on Chesapeake Bay Possible Action
  • Consider Technical Committee Direction on Coastal Environmental Conditions (J. Boyle) Possible Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Supplemental
  3. Supplemental 2
  4. Presentations
  5. Audio

6:30 – 8:30 PM — Annual Dinner

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

8 – 9:30 AM — Executive Committee

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

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan) 
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Meeting Summary from August 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Report from the Administrative Oversight Committee (D. McKiernan)
    • Presentation of FY25 Audit Action
  • Report from the Declared Interests and Voting Privileges Work Group (R. Beal)
  • Discussion on Notifying “Actions” on Meeting Agendas (R. Beal)
  • Report from the Legislative Committee (A. Law)
  • CARES Update (R. Beal)
  • Future Annual Meetings Update (L. Leach)
    • 2026 – Rhode Island
    • 2027 – South Carolina
    • 2028 – Massachusetts
    • 2029 – Pennsylvania
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  2. Audio

8:30 – 11:30 AM — Law Enforcement Committee (continued)

(A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for Committee members and the LEC Coordinator only)

Webinar link:    https://v.ringcentral.com/join/812270566 (Meeting ID: 812270566)

Call in: +1 (650) 419-1505 US (Access Code / Meeting ID: 812270566

  • Reconvene
  • Review and Discuss Ongoing Enforcement Activities (Closed Session)
  • State Agency Reports (S. Pearce)
  • Adjourn

9 AM – 5 PM — Habitat Committee

Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/462557844

  • Welcome & Introductions (K. Wilke)
  • Committee Consent (K. Wilke)
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Fall 2024 Proceedings
  • Habitat Management Series Updates (S. Kaalstad)
    • Atlantic States Shell Recycling Report
    • Next Topic(s)
  • 2025 Habitat Hotline Atlantic Development
    • Topic, Format, State Updates, etc.
  • Review of Ongoing and Emerging Atlantic Fish Habitat Issues
    • Considerations for Fish Habitat of Concern Updates
  • Roundtable State Updates
    • Habitat and Restoration Activity Highlights
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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9:45 AM – Noon — Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board
& 1:15 – 5 PM

  • Welcome/Call to Order (M. Ware)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Law Enforcement Committee Report on Commercial Tagging Program Ten-Year Review (J. Mercer) Possible Action
  • Consider Addendum III to Amendment 7 for Final Approval Final Action
    • Review Options and Public Comment Summary (E. Franke)
    • Advisory Panel Report (E. Bochenek)
    • Consider Final Approval of Addendum III to Amendment 7
  • Recess for Lunch
  • Continue to Consider Addendum III to Amendment 7 for Final Approval Final Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Supplemental
  3. Presentations
  4. Audio

Noon – 1:15 PM — Lunch Provided for Commissioners and Proxies

Thursday, October 30, 2025

8:30 AM – 10 AM — Sciaenids Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. Haymans)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Red Drum Addendum II: Modifications to Red Drum Management for Final Approval Final Action
    • Review Options, Public Comment Summary, and Advisory Panel Report (T. Bauer)
    • Consider Final Approval of Addendum II
  • Consider Approval of Black Drum and Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance for the 2024 Fishing Year (T. Bauer) Action
  • Progress Update on 2026 Atlantic Croaker Benchmark Stock Assessment (C. Schlick)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Supplemental
  3. Presentations
  4. Audio

10:15 AM – Noon — Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
  • Board Consent (D. McKiernan)
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Executive Committee Report (D. McKiernan)
  • Committee Reports Final Action
    • Assessment Science Committee (J. Patel)
    • Law Enforcement Committee (K. Blanchard)
    • Habitat Committee (S. Kaalstad)
    • Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (S. Kaalstad)
  • Consider Fishing Year 2026 Coastal Sharks Specifications (C. Starks) Final Action
  • Update on North Carolina’s Pamlico Sound Trawl Survey (C. Batsavage)
  • Update on Ongoing Stock Assessments
    • Atlantic Migratory Group Cobia (E. Franke)
    • Atlantic Sturgeon (K. Drew)
  • Review Noncompliance Findings, if necessary Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Supplemental
  3. Supplemental 2
  4. Presentations
  5. Audio