Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries

Commission

2026 Summer Meeting

Date(s):

Aug 4–6, 2026

Location:

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

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Meeting Information

The 2026 ASMFC Summer Meeting will be August 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.

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Webinar Details

Meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning Tuesday, August 4 at 10 AM and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 12:15 PM) on Thursday, August 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/7353853081544591455 (Webinar ID: 898-319-835). I If you are joining the webinar but will not be using VoIP, you can also call +1 (415) 930-5321, access code 464-559-262. 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 (July 13) will be included in the briefing materials.
  • Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, July 28 will be included in supplemental materials.
  • Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, July 31 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.

Also of note, the Commission will be considering changes to its Rules and Regulations regarding guidelines on states declared interest on species management boards, as well as changing the name of the Legislative and Governor Appointees Sections to Legislative and Governor Appointees Committees.


Tuesday, August 4, 2026

10 – 11 AM — Atlantic Herring Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. Grout)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from October 2025
  • Public Comment
  • Consider 2025 Research Track and 2026 Management Track Stock Assessments Action
    • Presentation of Stock Assessment Reports (J. Deroba)
    • Presentation of Peer Review Panel Reports (J. Deroba)
    • Consider Acceptance of Northeast Fisheries Science Research Track Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for Management Use
  • Update from New England Fishery Management Council on Atlantic Herring Activity (NEFMC Staff)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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11:15 AM – 12:15 PM — American Lobster Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Zobel)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Update on Management Objectives Process Steering Committee Progress (C. Starks)
  • Consider Lobster Conservation Management Team 5 Proposal to Modify Season Closure (J. Clark) 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)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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12:15 – 1:30 PM — Lunch Break

1 – 4 PM — Committee on Economics and Social Sciences

Webinar link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2881178318303736157

  • Welcome and Introductions (S. Lovell)
  • Update on the Atlantic Striped Bass Recreation Demand Model (S. Steinbeck)
  • CESS Tasks Update
    • Menhaden (A. Scheld)
    • Spiny Dogfish (T. Scott)
    • Tautog (S. Lovell)
  • Break
  • Data Access Update (J. Patel)
  • Species Assignments (J. Patel)
  • Public Comment
  • Recess, will reconvene August 5 at 8:30 a.m.
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1:30 – 2:30 PM — Winter Flounder Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (N. Lengyel Costa)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Update on Board Request for Information on Environmental Impacts Winter Flounder Population Dynamics (R. Balouskus)
  • Review New England Fishery Management Council’s Groundfish Specification Process (R. Frede, T. Bauer)
  • Technical Committee Report (R. Balouskus) Possible Action
    • Potential Impacts of Increasing Bag Limit in Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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2:45 – 4:45 PM — Tautog Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (M. Gates)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Approval of Draft Addendum I for Public Comment: Measures to Address Changes in Stock Status for New Jersey-New York Bight and Delaware-Maryland-Virginia Stock Units (J. Boyle) Action
  • Review Risk and Uncertainty Decision Tool Scores (K. Drew) Possible Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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Wednesday, August 5, 2026

8 – 9 AM — Executive Committee

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Meeting Summary from May 6, 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Legislative Update (A. Law)
  • 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
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8:30 AM – 4 PM — Committee on Economics and Social Sciences (continued)

Webinar Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/2881178318303736157

  • Process on Handling Commission Requests (A. Scheld)
  • Economist Discussion (J. Patel)
  • Break
  • Risk and Uncertainty Discussion (J. Holzer)
  • Knudsen AI tool Presentation
  • Lunch
  • Human Mobility Presentation (G. DePiper)
  • Break
  • Upcoming Tasks and Management Changes (J. Patel)
  • Other Business
  • Public Comment
  • Adjourn

9:45 – 11 AM — Spiny Dogfish Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Northern Region Conservation Equivalency Proposal Final Action
    • Proposed Weekly Trip Limit (J. Boyle)
  • Review Committee on Economics and Social Sciences Report on Commercial Fishery (T. Scott)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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11:15 AM – 12:15 PM — Coastal Pelagics Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (R. Beal)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from February 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Consider 2027 Total Harvest Quota and Recreational Measures for Atlantic Cobia (C. Tuohy, A. Giuliano) Final Action
  • Update on 2027 Stock Assessment for Atlantic Cobia (A. Giuliano)
  • Consider Approval of Atlantic Cobia Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2025 Fishing Year (E. Franke) Action
  • Update from South Atlantic Fishery Management Council on Spanish Mackerel Activity (C. Curtis)
  • Elect Vice-Chair Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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12:15 – 1:45 PM — Luncheon for Legislative and Governor Appointee Commissioners

12:15 – 1:45 PM — Lunch Break for Commissioners and Proxies

1:45 – 5:30 PM — Atlantic Menhaden Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Approval of Draft Addendum II on Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap for Public Comment (J. Boyle) Action
  • Review Committee on Economics and Social Sciences Report on Board Task
    • Economic Impacts to Bait Fishery from Changes in Total Allowable Catch (A. Scheld, T. Scott)
  • Consider Guidance to Technical Committee on 2027-2029 Specifications (K. Drew)
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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5:45 -6:45 PM — ASMFC Public Outreach (Westin Lobby)

  • Informational Exchange among Commission Members, Staff, and Meeting Attendees; All are Welcome; Light Snacks Provided

Thursday, August 6, 2026

8:30 – 9:30 AM — Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (C. Batsavage)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Comments to NOAA Fisheries on its Document: Charting a Course for Striped Bass: Science and Regulatory Innovation for Offshore Aquaculture (E. Franke) Action
  • Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2025 Fishing Year (E. Franke) Action
  • Update on 2027 Benchmark Stock Assessment (K. Drew)
  • Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership (T. Berger) Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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9:45 – 11:45 AM — Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Executive Committee Report (D. McKiernan)
  • Discuss De Minimis Policy Guidance (T. Kerns)
  • Discuss Sector Separation Amendment Timeline and Stakeholder Workshop Process Possible Action (T. Kerns)
  • Committee Reports Action
    • Committee on Economics and Social Sciences (J. Patel)
    • Assessment Science Committee (J. Patel) Action
  • Fisheries Compensation Fund for Atlantic Coast Offshore Wind Program Overview and Recent Work (D. Boelke)
  • Update on Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive (A. DiJohnson)
  • Stock Assessment Updates (K. Drew)
  • Review Noncompliance, If Necessary Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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11:45 AM – 12:15 PM — Commission Business Session

  • Welcome/Call to Order (D. McKiernan)
  • Board Consent
    • Approval of Agenda
    • Approval of Proceedings from May 2026
  • Public Comment
  • Consider Changes to the Commission Rules and Regulations (R. Beal) Final Action
  • Consider Noncompliance Recommendations, If Necessary Final Action
  • Other Business/Adjourn
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