Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries

Commission

2026 Annual Meeting

Date(s):

Nov 9–12, 2026

Location:

Hotel Viking, Newport, RI

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Meeting Information

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 84th Annual Meeting will be held November 9-12, 2026, at Hotel Viking, One Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI.

A block of rooms is being held at Hotel Viking. The Commission will make hotel reservations for Commissioners and Proxies. For all other attendees, please make your reservations online through this link to get our negotiated rate of $150 plus taxes per night, and an urban destination fee and tax of $25 per night. Hotel reservations must be made by October 12, 2026. Room availability will not be guaranteed beyond this date.

This will be a hybrid meeting to allow for in-person and remote participation by Commissioners and interested stakeholders in all meetings.

All of the business meetings scheduled during this week (with the exception of scheduled closed sessions) are open to the public, free of charge. However, if you plan on attending any of the Annual Meeting events, please help us prepare for these events by registering early (see below for more details).

Registration

Please click here to complete the Registration, Attendance, and Accommodations Form. Completion of the form is required for all participants, whether or not you will be reimbursed for travel by the Commission, since it enables us to ensure we have accurate information on meeting attendance and event participation. However, only those who will not be reimbursed for travel by the Commission (see travel authorization form) will need to pay the registration fee (e.g., guests and federal participants). The meeting registration fee is $200 for participants and $150 for spouses or guests if you register by October 30, 2026. After October 30 and in Newport, Rhode Island, the fees will be $225 and $175, respectively. The registration fee covers the Monday night welcome reception, the Tuesday night dinner, Captain David H. Hart Award lunch on Wednesday, and event materials.  

Webinar Information

The Law Enforcement Committee, Habitat Committee and Atlantic Coast Fish Habitat Partnership Steering Committee have unique webinar links that are available as part of the individual committee materials.

Meeting proceedings for all other boards/committees will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Monday, November 9 at 9:30 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 1:15 PM) on Thursday, November 12). To register for the webinar, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4458443143765348954 (Webinar ID: 199-853-067)

If you are joining the webinar but will not be using voice over internet protocol (VoIP), you may also call in at +1 (213) 929-4212, access code 157-264-158. A PIN will be provided to you after joining the webinar. 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.

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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 that 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, if any, 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 19) will be included in the briefing materials.
  • Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, November 3 will be included in supplemental materials.
  • Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, November 6 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.

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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. At these meetings, action may be taken on any agenda item, including, but not limited to, reports from staff, technical committees, stock assessment committees, peer reviews, Law Enforcement Committee, advisory panels, plan review teams, and plan development teams.

Monday, November 9, 2026

9:30 – 10:15 AM — Atlantic Herring Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (E. Reid)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Set Specifications for the 2027-2029 Fishing Years (E. Franke) Final Action
  • Set Quota Period for the 2027 Area 1A Fishery (E. Franke) Final Action
  • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2025 Fishing Year (E. Franke) Action
  • Update from New England Fishery Management Council (J. Cournane)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
  1. Explore:
  1. Meeting Materials

9:30 AM – 5 PM — Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) Steering Committee

Webinar link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/133670643

  • Welcome & Introductions (J. Coakley)
  • Committee Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of September 2026 (Virtual) Meeting Minutes/Summary
  • Restoration Project Updates (S. Kaalstad)
    • FY26 Projects – Active (A. Vidal, W. Duncan, USFWS)
    • Consider and Approve Final FY27 National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) Project List (S. Kaalstad) Action
  • NFHP Activities and Fish Habitat Fund Update
    • 20th Anniversary Celebration
  • ACFHP Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Workshop Updates (E. Schneider)
  • Opportunistic Project Funding
  • 2027-2031 Conservation Strategic Plan Action
    • Finalize and Approve 5-year Conservation Strategic Plan
  • Draft 2027-2028 Action Plan Action
    • Decide on 1- or 2-year Plan
    • Develop Draft Action Plan
  • Recess/Reconvene on November 10
  1. Explore:
  1. Meeting Materials

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM — American Lobster Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Zobel)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from August 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Report from Management Objectives Process Steering Committee (C. Starks, J. Kipp) Possible Action
  • Technical Committee Reports (C. Truesdale)
    • Annual Data Update of American Lobster Indicators
    • Progress on Lobster Technical Committee Tasks
  • Reports from Gulf of Maine States on Industry Surveys and Meetings (C. Wilson, R. Zobel, R. Glenn)
  • Consider American Lobster and Jonah Crab Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance for the 2025 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
  • Update on Request for Information for Alternative Gear Marking Framework (A. Murphy)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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12:30 – 1:45 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/339130408

  • Welcome/Call to Order (S. Pearce)
  • Committee Consent (S. Pearce)
    • Approval of Agenda
  • Public Comment
  • Introductions
  • Discuss Compliance with eVTR Reporting Requirements (J. Mercer, J. Cassin)
  • Discuss Best Practices in the Use of Drones and ROVs (D. Brown, J. Canfield)
  • Discuss the status of the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact (V. Aristegui)
  • Break
  • Discuss Trends in Patrol Boat Manufacturing (S. Pearce)
  • Review and Discuss Commission Species
    • Atlantic Menhaden – Draft Addendum II (J. Boyle)
    • Other Species
  • Recess/Reconvene on November 10
    1. Explore:
    1. Meeting Materials

    1:45 – 3 PM — Coastal Sharks Management Board

    • Welcome/Call to Order (M. Luisi)
    • Board Consent
      • Approval of Agenda
      • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
    • Public Comment
    • Updates from NOAA Fisheries on Ongoing Management Actions (K. Brewster-Geisz)
    • Set Specifications for the 2027 Fishing Year and Beyond, Up to Five Years (C. Starks) Final Action
    • Presentation on Shore-based Fishing in North Carolina (S. Dowd)
    • Discuss Drone Use in Shark Fishing (E. Burgess)
    • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2025 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
    • Other Business/Adjourn
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    1. Meeting Materials

    3:15 – 5:15 PM — Sciaenids Management Board

    • Welcome/Call to Order (B. Dyar)
    • Board Consent
      • Approval of Agenda
      • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
    • Public Comment
    • Consider 2026 Atlantic Croaker Benchmark Assessment Action
      • Presentation of Stock Assessment Report (C. Schlick)
      • Presentation of Peer Review Panel Report (D. Chagaris)
      • Consider Acceptance of Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for Management Use
    • Consider Management Response to 2026 Atlantic Croaker Benchmark Assessment, if necessary Possible Action
      • Technical Committee Report on Addressing Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey Calibrations and Projection Guidance (C. Schlick)
    • Consider Black Drum Indicators Update (H. Rickabaugh) Possible Action
    • Consider Timing of Future Red Drum Traffic Light Analysis Updates (J. Kipp)
    • Progress Update on 2028 Spot Benchmark Stock Assessment (J. Kipp)
    • Elect Vice-Chair Action
    • Other Business/Adjourn
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    6 – 7:30 PM — Welcome Reception

    ACFHP Melissa Laser Award Presentation

    Tuesday, November 10, 2026

    8:30 – 10:30 AM — Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) Coordinating Council

    • Welcome/Call to Order (K. Knowlton)
    • Council Consent (K. Knowlton)
      • Approval of Agenda
      • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
    • Public Comment
    • Consider FY2027 ACCSP Project and Administrative Proposals for Funding (J. Simpson) Action
    • Consider Changes to 2027 Access Point Angler Intercept Survey Sampling Action
      • Depredation/Predators Question
      • Area-fished Map Question
    • Program and Committee Updates (G. White, J. Simpson)
    • Chair/Vice-Chair Nominations (K. Knowlton)
    • Other Business/Adjourn
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    9 AM – Noon — ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)

    Webinar link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/349156847

    • Continue 2027-2028 Action Plan
      • Finalize and approve New Action Plan Action
    • Other Business
    • Guest Speaker(s)
    • Adjourn

    9 AM – Noon — 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/339130408

    • Review and Discuss Ongoing Enforcement Activities (Closed Session)
    • State Agency Reports
    • Elect Chair and Vice-Chair
    • Other Business/Adjourn

        10:45 AM – 12:15 PM — Horseshoe Crab Management Board

        • Welcome/Call to Order (E. Reid)
        • Board Consent
          • Approval of Agenda
          • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
        • Public Comment
        • Review Delaware Bay Bait Harvest Specifications Possible Final Action
          • Review Horseshoe Crab and Red Knot Survey Data (J. Sweka)
          • Consider Changes to Specifications for the 2027 Fishing Year (C. Starks)
        • Consider Updates to Adaptive Resource Management (ARM) Framework Model Reward, Utility, and Harvest Policy Functions Action
          • Overview of Model Revisions Based on Stakeholder Input (J. Sweka)
          • Delaware Bay Ecosystem Technical Committee Report (J. Sweka)
          • Advisory Panel Report (B. Hoffmeister)
          • Consider Initiating an Addendum to Implement Changes to the ARM Framework
        • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2025 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
        • Other Business/Adjourn
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        1. Meeting Materials

        12:15 – 1:30 PM — Lunch Break

        1:30 – 2:30 PM — Shad and River Herring Management Board

        • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Owens)
        • Board Consent
          • Approval of Agenda
          • Approval of Proceedings from August 2025
        • Public Comment
        • Technical Committee Report (M. Jargowsky) Action
          • Consider Shad and River Herring Sustainable Fishery Management Plan (SFMP), Alternative Management Plan (AMP), and Habitat Plan Updates for the Delaware River Cooperative (Habitat Plan), Maine (American Shad SFMP), South Carolina (River Herring AMP), and Florida (American Shad SFMP)
          • Review Sustainability Metrics for New York (River Herring) and South Carolina (American Shad)
        • Update from New England Fishery Management Council (J. Cournane)
          • Shad and River Herring Bycatch Avoidance in the Atlantic Herring Fishery
        • Consider Timing of Next Shad and River Herring Stock Assessments (K. Drew)
        • Other Business/Adjourn
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        1. Meeting Materials

        2:45 – 5:30 PM — Atlantic Menhaden Management Board

        • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
        • Board Consent
          • Approval of Agenda
          • Approval of Proceedings from August 2026
        • Public Comment
        • Set Specifications for the 2027-2029 Fishing Years Final Action
          • Review Technical Report on Projections (C. Craig)
        • Consider Addendum II on Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap for Final Approval Final Action
          • Review Options and Public Comment Summary (J. Boyle)
          • Advisory Panel Report (B. Garrity-Blake)
          • Law Enforcement Committee Report (J. Boyle)
          • Consider Final Approval of Addendum II
        • Recess/Reconvene on November 11

        6:00 – 8:30 PM — Annual Dinner

        Wednesday, November 11, 2026

        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 2026
        • Public Comment
        • Report of the Administrative Oversight Committee (D. Haymans) Action
          • Presentation of FY26 Audit
        • Discuss Process for Reviewing Species Declared Interests on Management Boards (R. Beal)
        • Legislative Update (A. Law)
        • CARES Update (R. Beal)
        • Future Annual Meetings Update (L. Leach)
          • 2027 – South Carolina
          • 2028 – Massachusetts
          • 2029 – Pennsylvania
        • Other Business
        • Adjourn
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        9 AM – 5 PM — Habitat Committee

        Webinar link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/412940340

        • Welcome & Introductions (K. Wilke)
        • Committee Consent (K. Wilke)
          • Approval of Agenda
          • Approval of July 2026 Virtual Meeting Proceedings
        • Committee Species Assignments (S. Kaalstad)
          • Review and discuss previous species board and TC summaries
        • ASMFC Commissioner Survey Results (C. Brinton)
          • Updated Summary
          • Discuss Next Steps
        • Discuss ASMFC Habitat Priorities
          • Implementing commissioner survey results to inform 1-3yr plan
        • Finalize Habitat Hotline 2026 (S. Kaalstad)
          • Commissioner Survey Summary
          • Feature Articles
          • State Updates
          • ACFHP Update
        • Round Table Habitat Updates
          • Large-scale Sand Mining in Virginia
          • Systematic Approaches to Dredging Time-of-year Restrictions
        • Mapping Project Updates (K. Wilke)
        • Other Business/Adjourn
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        9:45 – 10:45 AM — Commission Business Session

        • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
        • Board Consent
          • Approval of Agenda
          • Approval of Proceedings from August 2026
        • Public Comment
        • Consider Approval of 2027 Action Plan (D. McKiernan) Final Action
        • Elect Commission Chair and Vice-Chair (R. Beal) Final Action
        • Recess/Reconvene on November 12, if necessary
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        10:45 – 11:15 AM — Commissioner Photo Shoot

        11:15 AM – Noon — Spiny Dogfish Management Board

        • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
        • Board Consent
          • Approval of Agenda
          • Approval of Proceedings from August 2026
        • Public Comment
        • Review Accountability Measures Proposed Rule (J. Didden) Possible Action
        • Other Business/Adjourn
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        Noon – 1:30 PM — Captain David H. Hart Award Luncheon

        1:30 – 2:30 PM — Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board

        • Welcome/Call to Order (C. Batsavage)
        • Board Consent
          • Approval of Agenda
          • Approval of Proceedings from August 2026
        • Public Comment
        • Update on Revised Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey Estimates for Striped Bass (K. Drew)
        • Discuss Work Group on Future Atlantic Striped Bass Management (C. Batsavage)
          • Steering Committee Recommendations
          • Discuss Work Group Next Steps
        • Update on 2027 Benchmark Stock Assessment (K. Drew)
        • Other Business/Adjourn
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        2:45 – 5:30 PM — Atlantic Menhaden Management Board (continued)

        • Reconvene
        • Continue: Consider Addendum II on Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap for Final Approval Final Action
          • Review Options and Public Comment Summary (J. Boyle)
          • Advisory Panel Report (J. Boyle)
          • Law Enforcement Committee Report (J. Boyle)
          • Consider Final Approval of Addendum II
        • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2025 Fishing Year (J. Boyle) Action
        • Consider Initiating Management Action for Commercial Quota Reallocation (J. Boyle) Possible Action
        • Other Business/Adjourn

          Thursday, November 12, 2026

          8 – 11 AM — Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board (Part of this meeting will be with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council)

          • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
          • Board Consent
            • Approval of Agenda
            • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
          • Public Comment
          • Executive Committee Report (D. McKiernan)
          • Joint Discussion with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council on Sector Separation Amendment Stakeholder Workshop Results (T. Bauer, C. Tuohy, K. Dancy) Possible Action
            • Provide Direction to the Plan Development Team/Fishery Management Action Team on Amendment Options
          • Update on the Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey Estimates (K. Papacostas)
          • Update on the Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive (A. DiJohnson)
          • Committee Reports
            • Habitat Committee (S. Kaalstad)
            • Atlantic Coast Fish Habitat Partnership (S. Kaalstad)
            • Law Enforcement Committee (K. Blanchard)
          • Stock Assessment Updates (K. Drew)
          • Review Noncompliance, if necessary Action
          • Other Business/Adjourn
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          11 – 11:15 AM — Commission Business Session

          • Consider Noncompliance Recommendations, if necessary Final Action
          • Other Business/Adjourn

          11:30 AM – 1:15PM — Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board

          • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Maniscalco)
          • Board Consent
            • Approval of Agenda
            • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
          • Public Comment
          • Consider Approval of Draft Addendum XXXVII on Scup Commercial Management for Public Comment (C. Tuohy) Action
          • Review Black Sea Bass State-by-State Commercial Quota Allocation Performance (T. Bauer) Possible Action
          • Other Business/Adjourn
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          1. Meeting Materials