Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries

Commission

2026 Spring Meeting

Date(s):

May 4–6, 2026

Location:

Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202

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  1. Meeting Info
  2. Meeting Agenda
  3. Pending Actions
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Meeting Information

The 2026 ASMFC Spring Meeting will be May 4-6 at the Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, VA 22202.

Please note: The GoToWebinar platform has significantly changed, so please carefully review the webinar participant instructions to guide you through joining and participating in the webinar. General information on accessing the webinar can be found below in the Webinar Details accordion.

Meeting Summary
Final Agenda
Webinar Details

Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Monday, May 4 at 9 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 5 PM) on Wednesday, May 6. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur. To register for the webinar, please go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1954560493628461656 (Webinar ID: 165-183-795). If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you may also call 415.655.0060, access code 649-369-347. 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.

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.

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 (April 13) will be included in the briefing materials.
  • Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, April 28 will be included in supplemental materials.
  • Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, May 1 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.  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, May 4, 2026

9 – 10:30 AM — Tautog Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (M. Gates)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Review Technical Committee Report on Board Tasks (S. Dumais)
    • Harvest Projections to Reach Fishing Mortality Target
    • Risk & Uncertainty Decision Tool
    • Delaware-Maryland-Virginia Fishery-independent Data
  • Consider Guidance to Plan Development Team for Draft Addendum I (J. Boyle) Possible Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  2. Supplemental Materials
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  4. Audio

10:45 AM – 12:15 PM — American Lobster Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Zobel)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Technical Committee Report on Board Tasks (T. Pugh) Possible Action
    • Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank Fishery Projections with Original Addendum XXVII Gauge Increases
    • Change in Lobster Conservation Management Area 5 Season Closure Dates
  • Consider Management Strategy Evaluation Steering Committee Nominations (C. Starks) Action
  • Reports from Gulf of Maine States on Industry Surveys and Meetings (C. Wilson, R. Zobel, R. Glenn)
  • Update on Request for Information for Alternative Gear Marking Framework (A. Murphy)
  • Consider Outstanding Management Changes (C. Starks) Possible Action
  • Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership (T. Berger) Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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12:15 – 1:15 PM — Lunch Break

1:15 – 3:30 PM — Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (C. Batsavage)
  • Board Consent 
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Discuss 2027 Benchmark Stock Assessment (K. Drew)
    • Provide Guidance to Stock Assessment Subcommittee on Biological Reference Points and Spatial Management
  • Discuss Work Group on Future Striped Bass Management (T. Kerns)
    • Provide Guidance on Work Group Composition, Task Details, and Timeline
  • Update on Addendum III Implementation for Maryland Season (M. Luisi)
  • Discuss Timeline and Process to Provide Feedback on the NOAA Fisheries Striped Bass Aquaculture Plan (T. Kerns)
  • Elect Vice Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  2. Supplemental Materials
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  4. Audio

3:45 – 5:15 PM — Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program Coordinating Council

  • Welcome/Call to Order (K. Knowlton)
  • Council Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Funding Decision Document and FY2027 Request for Proposals (J. Simpson) Action
  • Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) Updates
    • ACCSP: Discuss Potential Updates to MRIP Access Point Angler Intercept Survey on Area Fished and Depredation (G. White, A. DiJohnson)
    • NOAA: Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive (RAPID), MRIP Estimate Publication Dates, and 2027 Recreational Summit (R. Cody, T. Sartwell)
  • Update on Program and Committee Activities (G. White, J. Simpson, A. DiJohnson)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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Tuesday, May 5, 2026

8:30 – 11:30 AM — Atlantic Menhaden Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
  •  Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Approval of Draft Addendum II on Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery for Public Comment (J. Boyle) Action
  • Review Technical Committee Report on Board Task
    • Impacts of Changing Environmental Conditions (C. Craig)
  • Review Committee on Economics and Social Sciences Report on Board Task
    • Economics Impacts from Changes in Total Allowable Catch (A. Scheld, T. Scott)
  • Update on Chesapeake Bay Research Request for Proposals (B. Beal)
  • Elect Vice Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Supplemental Materials
  3. Supplemental 2 Materials
  4. Presentations
  5. Audio

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM — Luncheon for Legislative and Governor Appointee Commissioners

11:30 AM – 1 PM — Lunch Break for Commissioners and Proxies

1:15 – 5 PM — Joint Session of the ASMFC & GSMFC Law Enforcement Committees

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

Webinar link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/382621399 (Meeting ID: 382621399)

Call in: 650.419.1505 (Access Code/Meeting ID: 382621399)

  • Welcome/Call to Order (S. Pearce, L. Casterline) 
  • Approval of Agenda/Past Minutes (S. Pearce/ L. Casterline)
  • Public Comment
  • Introductions (S. Pearce/ L. Casterline)
  • Overview of Each Law Enforcement Committees’ LEC Duties and Responsibilities (K. Blanchard, L. Casterline)
  • Discussion of the Joint Enforcement Agreement (B. Landry)
  • Review and Discuss Commission Species
    • Tautog (J. Boyle)
  • Break
  • Presentation of ASMFC’s Guidelines for Resource Managers (K. Blanchard)
  • Presentation of NOAA’s Field Forensics Program (B. Landry)
  •  Recess
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1 – 2:30 PM — Horseshoe Crab Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (E. Reid)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Report on Stakeholder Engagement Process on Adaptive Resource Management Framework Reward/Utility/Harvest Policy Functions (B. Crawford, K. O’Donnell)
    • Consider Initiating an Addendum on Proposed Changes Possible Action
  • Discuss State Legislation on Horseshoe Crab Fisheries (C. Starks)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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2:45 – 4:15 PM — Coastal Sharks Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (M. Luisi)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2024
  • Public Comment
  • Updates on Highly Migratory Species Federal Rulemaking (G. DuBeck)
  • Updates on Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species Permitting for Smoothhound Sharks (M. Turton)
  • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for Coastal Sharks for the 2024 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
  • Elect Vice Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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5:30 – 7 PM — Annual Awards of Excellence Reception

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

8 AM – 4 PM — Joint Session of the ASMFC & GSMFC Law Enforcement Committees (continued)

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

Webinar link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/382621399 (Meeting ID: 382621399)

Call in: 650.419.1505 (Access Code/Meeting ID: 382621399)

  • Reconvene
  • Review and Discuss Ongoing Enforcement Activities (Closed Session)
  • Discuss the use of Court Authorized Surveillance Devices (J. Turcotte)
  • Review the Case Study Operation Scaled Deception the Fraudulent Use of Trip Tickets (P. Carron)
  • Break for Lunch
  • Review the Case Study Operation Atlantis the False Tagging of Seafood Products (S. Pearce)
  • Discuss Enforcement Efforts by Texas Parks and Wildlife on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (L. Casterline)
  • State Agency Reports (S. Pearce)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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8 – 9 AM — Executive Committee

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan) 
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Meeting Summary from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Approval of FY2027 Budget (D. Haymans) Action
  • Legislative Update (R. Beal)
  • CARES Update (R. Beal)
  • Future Annual Meetings Update (L. Leach)
    • November 8 – 12, 2026 – Newport, Rhode Island
    • 2027 – South Carolina
    • 2028 – Massachusetts
    • 2029 – Pennsylvania
  • Other Business
  • Conduct Executive Director Performance Review (Closed Session)
  • Adjourn
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9:15 – 11:30 AM — Sciaenids Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (B. Dyar)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Georgia and South Carolina Red Drum Management Proposals to Implement Addendum II Final Action
    • Review Proposals (T. Bauer)
    • Consider Final Approval of Management Proposals
  • Consider North Carolina Spot Conservation Equivalency Proposal Final Action
    • Review of North Carolina Proposal (C. Batsavage)
    • Plan Review Team and Advisory Panel Report (T. Bauer)
    • Consider Approval of North Carolina’s Conservation Equivalency Proposal
  • Consider Plan Review Teams’ Report on Board Tasking to Review De Minimis Provisions for Sciaenids (T. Bauer) Possible Action
  • Progress Update on 2026 Atlantic Croaker Benchmark Stock Assessment (C. Schlick)
  • Update on the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (P. Campfield)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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11:30 AM – 12:30 PM — Lunch Break

12:30 – 1:15 PM — American Eel Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Hornstein)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Technical Committee Report (K. Bonvechio) Possible Action
    • Review of Florida Young-of-Year Survey
  • Review Preliminary 2025 Yellow Eel Landings (C. Starks)
  • Elect Vice Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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1:30 – 4:30 PM — Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
  • Board Consent (D. McKiernan)
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Executive Committee Report (D. McKiernan)
  • Review Report from the Declared Interests and Voting Privileges Work Group (T. Kerns/R. Beal) Possible Action
  • Committee Reports
    • Habitat Committee (K. Wilke)
    • Law Enforcement Committee (K. Blanchard)
  • Update on Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive (RAPID) Initiative (R. Beal)
  • Discuss Proposed Changes to Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch’s Standards for Fisheries (T. Kerns) Possible Action
  • Review Noncompliance Findings (If Necessary) Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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4:30 – 5 PM — Commission Business Session

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Revisions to the 2026 Action Plan (T. Kerns) Final Action
  • Consider Noncompliance Recommendations, if necessary Final Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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  1. Meeting Materials
  2. Audio