October 16 - 19, 2023

Final Agenda

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 main board materials (including the ACCSP Coordinating Council, Executive Committee, and Business Session) have been combined into three documents - October 16, October 17, and October 18-19.  Additionally, all supplemental documents, with the exception of the ACFHP Steering Committee, have been combined into one document - 2023AnnualMeetingSupplementalCombined

Live Streaming

Webinar link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2497355278986432605

Webinar ID: 807-430-387

Phone: +1 (562) 247-8422, access code 438-306-259. 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 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), please contact Chris Jacobs at 703.842.0790.

Meeting Process

Board chairs will ask both in-person and virtual board members if they wish to speak. In-person members can simply raise their hands at the meeting without logging on to the webinar, while virtual members will raise their hands on the webinar. The chair will work with staff to compile the list of speakers, balancing the flow of questions/comments between in-person and virtual attendees. The same process will be used for public comment. 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. 

Public 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 opportunity to the public to bring matters of concern to the board’s attention at the start of each board meeting. Board chairs will use a speaker sign-up list in deciding 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 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 three weeks prior to the start of a meeting week (September 25) will be included in the briefing materials.
2. Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 10 will be included in supplemental materials.
3. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, October 13 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.

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
• 2023 Action Plan
• Appeals Process
• Conservation Equivalency Guidance Document
• Status of the Stocks
• Assessment Schedule
• 2023 Summer Meeting Summary

Monday, October 16

Atlantic Herring Management Board  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Ware)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from January 2023
• Public Comment
• Set Quota Periods for the 2024 Area 1A Fishery (C. Starks) Final Action
• Update from New England Fishery Management Council (J. Cournane)
• Elect 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 May 2023
• Public Comment
• Consider 2023 Jonah Crab Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report Action
  • Presentation of Stock Assessment Report (J. Carloni)
  • Presentation of Peer Review Panel Report (R. Wong)
  • Consider Acceptance of Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for Management Use
  • Consider Management Response, if necessary
• Consider Annual Data Update of American Lobster Indices (K. Reardon) Possible Action
  • Update on Addendum XXVII Trigger Index
• Consider Terms of Reference and Timeline for the American Lobster Benchmark Stock Assessment (J. Kipp) Action
• Consider Pursuing a Management Strategy Evaluation for American Lobster
• Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance for American Lobster and Jonah Crab for the 2022 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn
  

Lunch Break 

Tautog Management Board   Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Luisi)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda 
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Consider Technical Committee Report on Commercial Tagging Program (J. Boyle) Possible Action
  • Discuss Potential Changes to the Tagging Program
• Other Business/Adjourn

Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) Steering Committee  Supplemental

 Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/466405327

Phone: +1 (650) 419-1505; Meeting ID: 466405327

• Welcome and Introductions (K. Smith)
• Committee Consent (K. Smith)                                   
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of 2023 Summer Meeting Minutes
• Finalize 2023-2024 Action Plan (S. Kaalstad)
  
• FY25 ACFHP Funding (S. Kaalstad)
  
  • Request for Proposals Development
  • National Fish Habitat Partnership and America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act Alignment
  • Timelines
  • Online Application Form Walk-through
• ACFHP Subcommittee Membership Update (S. Kaalstad)           
• Recess/Reconvene on October 17 at 9 a.m.  

Horseshoe Crab Management Board  Supplemental  Supplemental2
Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Clark)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda 
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2023
• Public Comment
• Consider Results of Stakeholder Survey on Delaware Bay Management Objectives (C. Starks) Possible Action
• Set 2024 Delaware Bay Harvest Specifications Final Action
  • Review Horseshoe Crab and Red Knot Abundance Estimates and Model Results from the Adaptive Resource Management Framework Revision (J. Sweka)
  • Set 2024 Specifications (C. Starks)
• Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2022 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
• Report on Status of Synthetic Endotoxin Testing Reagents (C. Starks)          
• Review and Populate Advisory Panel Membership (T. Berger) Action          
• Other Business/Adjourn

Shad and River Herring Management Board  Supplemental
Supplemental2  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (L. Fegley)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2023
• Public Comment
• Progress Update on River Herring Benchmark Stock Assessment
• Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2022 Fishing Year (J. Boyle) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn
  

Tuesday, October 17

Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP)
Coordinating Council  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. McNamee)
• Council Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Consider Approval of FY2024 ACCSP Project and Administrative Proposals for Funding
  (J. Simpson) Action
• Consider Approval of SciFish Policies for ACCSP’s Citizen Science Mobile Application
  (J. Simpson) Action
• Program and Committee Updates
• Other Business/Adjourn

ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)  Supplemental

Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/466405327

Phone: +1 (650) 419-1505; Meeting ID: 466405327

• Reconvene
• Beyond the Pond 501(c)(3) (J. Coakley, S. Kaalstad)     
  
  • Updating the ACFHP Business Plan (P. Campfield)
  • Fundraising Strategies
• NOAA Transformational Habitat Restoration Grant Opportunity (K. Smith) 
  
• National Fish Habitat Partnership Activities (NFHP, J. Olive)          
• North Carolina Coastal Federation Presentation (NCCF, T. Miller)                     
  • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation and Oyster Restoration in Bogue Sound
• Wrap-up, Overview, and Next Steps (K. Smith)
  
• Adjourn            

Presentation on NOAA Fisheries Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey Design and Estimates Audio

Lunch Break

Law Enforcement Committee 

 Webinar Link: https://meet.goto.com/981079261

Phone: +1 (571) 317-3122; Access Code: 981-079-261 

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Snellbaker)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda 
• Public Comment
• Introductions
• Review and Discuss Commission Species (as needed)
  • Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Addendum II (T. Kerns)
  • Tautog Tagging Program Update
  • Other Species
• Wildlife Officer Exchange Program (J. Snellbaker)
• Review and Discuss Ongoing Enforcement Activities (Closed Session)
• States Agency Reports
• Recess/Reconvene on October 18 at 8:30 a.m.

Atlantic Menhaden Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Bell)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda 
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2023
• Public Comment
• Progress Update on Ecological Reference Point Benchmark Assessment (K. Drew)
• Review Virginia Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Study Design Report
• Consider Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2022 Fishing Year Review (J. Boyle) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Coastal Pelagics Management Board  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda 
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Progress Update on SouthEast Data, Assessment, and Review Atlantic Migratory Group (AMG) Cobia Stock Assessment (C. Tuohy)       
  • Review Stock Assessment Roadmap and Planned Commission and State Involvement
• Consider Approval of State Recreational Management Measures for AMG Cobia for the 2024 Fishing Year (C. Tuohy & A. Giuliano) Final Action
• Technical Committee Report (A. Giuliano) Possible Action                     
  • Review Recent Trends in State, Regional, and Coastwide AMG Cobia Landings                                  
• Update from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council on Mackerel Port Meetings and Coastal Migratory Pelagics Framework Amendment 13 (J. Carmichael)
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Coastal Sharks Management Board  Presentatons  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (E. Burgess)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Set Specifications for 2024 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
• Elect Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Wednesday, October 18

Executive Committee  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (S. Woodward)
• Committee Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Meeting Summary from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Review and Consider Approval of FY23 Audit (J. Cimino) Action
• Discuss Per Diem Rate for Meals and Incidentals (R. Beal)
• Legislative Update (A. Law)
• Future Annual Meeting Update (L. Leach)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Law Enforcement Committee (continued)

 Webinar Link: https://meet.goto.com/981079261

Phone: +1 (571) 317-3122; Access Code: 981-079-261 

Business Session of the Commission  Supplemental  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (S. Woodward)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from November 2022
• Public Comment
• Review and Consider Approval of 2024 Action Plan Final Action
• Review Draft 2024-2028 Strategic Plan
• Elect Commission Chair and Vice-Chair Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Captain David Hart Award Luncheon

Spiny Dogfish Management Board  Supplemental Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (N. Meserve)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Review Atlantic Sturgeon Fishery Management Action Team/Plan Development Team Alternatives (K. Cisneros)
• Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance for the 2022-2023 Fishing Year (J. Boyle) Action
• Other Business/Adjourn

Habitat Committee

Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/466405327

Phone: +1 (650) 419-1505; Meeting ID: 466405327

• Welcome and Introductions (R. Babb)
• Committee Consent (R. Babb)       
  
  • Approval of Agenda
• Recap of Committee Activities
• Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership Presentation (APNEP, B. Crowell)        
  • Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring and Assessment Program
• Habitat Hotline Atlantic Update (K. Wilke)           
  • Topics, Authors, and Future Direction
• Recess/Reconvene on October 19 at 8:30 a.m.   

Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board  Supplemental  Supplemental2  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (M. Gary)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Consider Approval of Draft Addendum II for Public Comment
  (T. Kerns) Action
  • Technical Committee Report
• Albemarle-Roanoke Atlantic Striped Bass Management Update
  (C. Batsavage)
• Other Business/Adjourn

Thursday, October 19

Habitat Committee (continued)

Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/466405327

Phone: +1 (650) 419-1505; Meeting ID: 466405327

• Reconvene
• Overview of Sackett v. EPA
• Discussion on New Supreme Court “Wetlands” Definition
• Impacts to Partners and Ongoing Restoration Work
• Habitat Management Series Update (R. Babb, K. Wilke, T. Kerns, S. Kaalstad)            
  • Topics, Authors, and Deadlines
• Species Assignments and Habitat Fact Sheet Update
  • Committee Members’ Species Management Board Updates
    
• Wrap-up, Overview, and Next Steps
  
• Adjourn

American Eel Management Board  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (P. Edwards)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Progress Update on Development of Draft Addenda to Address Yellow Eel Commercial Quota and Maine Glass Eel Commercial Quota (C. Starks)
• Advisory Panel Report (M. DeLucia)
• Other Business/Adjourn
  

Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board
Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (S. Woodward)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from August 2023
• Public Comment
• Consider Approval of Revised Conservation Equivalency Policy and Technical Guidance Document (T. Kerns) Final Acton
• NOAA Fisheries Update on North Atlantic Right Whale Funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (J. Hare)
• Committee Updates
  • Assessment Science Committee (J. Patel) Action
  • Law Enforcement Committee (K. Blanchard)
  • Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (S. Kaalstad)
  • Habitat Committee (S. Kaalstad) Action
    
• Review Compliance Findings, if necessary
• Other Business/Adjourn

Lunch Break 

Sciaenids Management Board  Supplemental  Presentations  Audio

• Welcome/Call to Order (C. Batsavage)
• Board Consent
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Proceedings from May 2023
• Public Comment
• Review Annual Update to Black Drum Indicators (H. Rickabaugh) Possible Action
• Consider Approval of Atlantic Croaker, Red Drum, and Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance for the 2022 Fishing Year (T. Bauer) Action
• Progress Update on 2024 Red Drum, Atlantic Croaker, and Spot Benchmark Stock Assessments
  (J. Kipp) Action
  • Review and Consider Recommended Changes to the Timeline for the Spot and Atlantic Croaker Benchmark Stock Assessments
• Review and Populate Atlantic Croaker and Spot Stock Assessment Subcommittee Membership
• Other Business/Adjourn