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October 21 - 24, 2024
The Westin Annapolis
100 Westgate Circle
Annapolis, Maryland
888.627.8994
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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.
For ease of use, Board and Council meeting materials have been combined into 5 documents: October 21, October 22, October 23 and October 24 and Supplemental Materials. The combined documents do not include materials for ACFHP Steering Committee, Law Enforcement Committee, and the Habitat Committee.
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Live-Streaming
Webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9011130451108002141
Webinar ID: 565-353-915
Call in: +1.562.247.8422, access code 953-170-135
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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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 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).
1. Comments received three weeks prior to the start of a meeting week (September 30) will be included in the briefing materials.
2. Comments received by 5 PM on Tuesday, October 15 will be included in supplemental materials.
3. Comments received by 10 AM on Friday, October 18 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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General Background Materials
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Monday, October 21
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| 9 - 9:30 AM |
Atlantic Herring Management Board Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (D. Grout)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Set Specifications for the 2025-2027 Fishing Years (E. Franke) Final Action
- Set Quota Period for the 2025 Area 1A Fishery (E. Franke) Final Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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9:45 AM - 12:15 PM
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American Lobster Management Board Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (P. Keliher)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Progress Update on Benchmark Stock Assessment for American Lobster (T. Pugh)
- Consider Annual Data Update of American Lobster Indices (T. Pugh)
- Consider Addendum XXXI on Postponing Implementation of Addendum XXVII Measures for Final Approval Final Action
- Review Options and Public Comment Summary (C. Starks)
- Review Advisory Panel Report (C. Starks)
- Consider Final Approval of Addendum XXXI
- Consider Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance Reports for American Lobster and Jonah Crab for the 2023 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
- Discuss Vessel Tracking Requirements of Addendum XXIX (C. Starks) Possible Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 10 AM - 5 PM |
Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership (ACFHP) Steering Committee Presentations
Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/462557844
- Welcome and Introductions (J. Coakley)
- Committee Consent (J. Coakley)
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Spring 2023 Meeting Minutes
- Approval of New England Fishery Management Council Membership
- Review of 2023-2024 Action Plan
- Discuss Items for the Next Action Plan (2025-2026)
- Project Updates (S. Kaalstad)
- Recently Completed and Active On-the-Ground Restoration Projects
- FY25 Proposed/Approved Projects
- Outreach and Communications
- FY26 ACFHP Project Funding (S. Kaalstad)
- RFP Development
- NFHP Requirements
- ACE Act Alignment
- Timelines
- Review of FY26 Online Application Form
- Adjourn/Reconvene on October 22
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| 12:15 - 1:15 PM |
Lunch Break |
| 1:15 - 2:45 PM |
Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program Coordinating Council Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (J. McNamee)
- Council Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from April 2024
- Public Comment
- Consider FY2025 Project and Administrative Proposals for Funding (J. Simpson) Action
- Program and Committee Updates
- Elect Vice Chair
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 3 - 5 PM |
Horseshoe Crab Management Board Supplemental Supplemental 2 Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (J. Davis)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from April 2024
- Public Comment
- Consider Stakeholder Workshop Report on Delaware Bay Management Objectives (K. Weaver) Possible Action
- Set 2025 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 2025 Specifications (C. Starks)
- Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports for 2023 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
- Elect Vice-Chair Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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Tuesday, October 22
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| 8:30 - 11:30 AM |
Sciaenids Management Board Supplemental Risk and Uncertainty Tool Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (D. Haymans)
- Board Consent
- Public Comment
- Consider 2024 Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report Action
- Presentation of Stock Assessment (J. Ballenger)
- Presentation of Peer Review Panel Report (G. Fay)
- Consider Acceptance of Benchmark Stock Assessment and Peer Review Report for Management Use
- Consider Management Response, If Necessary (D. Haymans)
- Discuss Risk and Uncertainty Tool Inputs for Red Drum (K. Drew)
- Consider Annual Update to Black Drum Indicators (H. Rickabaugh) Possible Action
- Consider Black Drum and Spotted Seatrout Fishery Management Plan Reviews and State Compliance Reports for the 2023 Fishing Year (T. Bauer) Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 9:30 AM - 5 PM |
ACFHP Steering Committee (continued)
Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/462557844
- Reconvene
- Updates to State Wildlife Action Plans (W. Duncan)
- National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) Updates (A. Atkinson, J. Olive)
- Board Activities & Meetings
- National Habitat Assessment
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Guest Speaker (USFWS/MD DNR, to be determined)
- Science & Data: Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) (E. Schneider & M. Bachman)
- Overview: SAV Webinar with Environmental Protection Agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service and East Coast SAV Collaborative
- Discussion Restructuring Science and Data Working Group
- Product Development: Timelines and Funding Opportunities
- Wrap-up, Overview, Next Steps
- Adjourn
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| 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
Lunch Break |
| 1 - 5 PM |
Law Enforcement Committee (A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for LEC Coordinator and Committee members only)
Webinar link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/415480742
- Welcome/Call to Order (S. Pearce)
- Committee Consent (S. Pearce)
- Public Comment
- Introductions
- Final Update on Changes to Enforceability Guidelines (K. Blanchard)
- Global Conservation Law Enforcement Network (M. Mitchell and K. Brooks)
- ASMFC LEC Role and Expectations (K. Blanchard)
- ASMFC Website Upgrade (T. Berger and K. Cunningham)
- US Department of Justice/NOAA Case Study (C. Hale and J. Cassin)
- Review and Discuss Commission Species
- Winter Flounder - Massachusetts Conservation Equivalency Proposal (T. Bauer)
- Bluefish – Technical Committee Risk and Uncertainty Tool (C. Tuohy)
- Meeting Recess/Reconvene on October 23
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| 12:30 - 2:30 PM |
Coastal Pelagics Management Board Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (S. Woodward)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Update on SEDAR 95 Stock Assessment for Atlantic Cobia
- Consider 2025 Atlantic Cobia Regional Recreational Measures Action
- Technical Committee Report (A. Giuliano)
- Consider Options for Northern Region Recreational Measures and Timeline for Selecting and Implementing Final Measures Action
- Atlantic Cobia Technical Committee Report (A. Giuliano)
- Addendum II Confidence Interval Approach
- Update from South Atlantic Fishery Management Council on Mackerel Port Meetings (J. Carmichael)
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 2:45 - 4:15 PM |
Atlantic Menhaden Management Board Supplemental Supplemental 2 Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (J. Clark)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Review Update from Work Group on Precautionary Management in Chesapeake Bay (M. Gary)
- Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports for the 2023 Fishing Year (J. Boyle) Action
- Progress Update on 2025 Ecological Reference Point Benchmark Stock Assessment (K. Drew)
- Elect Vice-Chair Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 4:30 - 5:30 PM |
American Eel Management Board Supplemental Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (K. Kuhn)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from May 2024
- Public Comment
- Review and Provide Feedback on CITES Actions and Committee Work (D. Hahn)
- Consider Approval of Fishery Management Plan Review and State Compliance Reports for 2023 Fishing Year (C. Starks) Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 6:30 - 8 PM |
Annual Dinner |
Wednesday, October 23
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| 8 - 10 AM |
Executive Committee Audio (A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for Committee members and Commissioners.)
- Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Meeting Summary from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Review and Consider Approval of FY24 Audit (L. Leach)
- Legislative Update (A. Law)
- New ASMFC Website Demo, If Time Allows (T. Berger/K. Cunningham)
- Future Annual Meetings Update
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 8:30 AM - Noon |
Law Enforcement Committee (continued) (A portion of this meeting may be a closed session for LEC Coordinator and Committee members only.)
- Reconvene
- Review and Discuss Ongoing Enforcement Activities (Closed Session)
- Review and Discuss Commission Species (continued)
- Atlantic Cobia – Recreational Management Measures Update (E. Franke)
- Atlantic Striped Bass – Recreational Release Mortality Work Group (E. Franke)
- Other Species
- State Agency Reports
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 10:15 - 11:15 AM |
Business Session of the Commission Supplemental Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from January 2024
- Consider Approval of 2025 Action Plan Final Action
- Elect Commission Chair and Vice-Chair Final Action
- Other Business
- Adjourn/Reconvene on October 24
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| 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM |
Shad and River Herring Management Board Supplemental Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (L. Fegley)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Consider Updates to Shad and River Herring Sustainable Fishery Management Plans (SFMPs)
(W. Eakin) Action
- New Hampshire River Herring SFMP and Proposal to Reopen Fishery
- Maine River Herring SFMP
- Massachusetts American Shad SFMP
- Connecticut American Shad SFMP
- Review Advisory Panel Report on 2024 River Herring Benchmark Assessment (P. Lyons Gromen)
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 1 - 5 PM |
Habitat Committee Presentations
Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/462557844
- Welcome and Introductions (R. Babb)
- Committee Consent (R. Babb)
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Summer 2024 Meeting Minutes
- Habitat Hotline Atlantic (HHA)
- Approve Format for 2024 Issue
- State Updates Questionnaire
- Discuss Future Direction of HHA
- Audience Engagement and Outreach
- Format, Content, Type of Medium, etc.
- Habitat Management Series: Shell Recycling Programs (S. Kaalstad)
- Review Outline
- Assign Articles and Develop Timeline
- Discuss Shell Recycling Program Survey
- Adjourn/Reconvene on October 24
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| 1:30 - 5 PM |
Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board Supplemental Supplemental2 Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (M. Ware)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Review Report from Work Group on Recreational Release Mortality (C. Batsavage) Possible Action
- Consider 2024 Atlantic Striped Bass Stock Assessment Update
- Presentation of Stock Assessment Report (G. Nelson)
- Technical Committee Report on Considerations for 2025 Management Measures (T. Grabowski)
- Consider Management Response (M. Ware) Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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Thursday, October 24
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| 8:30 AM - Noon |
Habitat Committee (continued)
Webinar Link: https://v.ringcentral.com/join/462557844
- Reconvene
- Habitat Management Series: Shell Recycling Programs (continued)
- General Business
- Updates to Fishery Management Plan Habitat Sections
- Updates to Fish Habitats of Concern
- Next Steps
- Guest Speaker: Oyster Recovery Partnership Shell Recycling Program (W. Slacum)
- Guest Speaker: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Fishing Gear Impacts to Essential Fish Habitat Essential Fish Habitat Database (D. Stevenson, T. Kentner)
- Adjourn
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| 9 -10 AM |
Spiny Dogfish Management Board Supplemental Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (P. Geer)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Consider Approval of Draft Addendum VII for Public Comment on Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch Reduction Measures (J. Boyle) Action
- Consider Revising 2024/2025 Fishing Year Quota (J. Boyle) Possible Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 10:15 - 11:15 AM |
Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from August 2024
- Public Comment
- Executive Committee Report (J. Cimino)
- Update on the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel Work Regarding Industry-based Trawl Surveys (D. Salerno)
- Committee Reports
- Law Enforcement (K. Blanchard)
- Habitat (S. Kaalstad)
- Atlantic Coast Fish Habitat Partnership (S. Kaalstad)
- Review Non-Compliance Findings, If Necessary Action
- Other Business
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| 11:15 - 11:30 AM |
Business Session of the Commission
- Reconvene (J. Cimino)
- Consider Noncompliance Recommendations, If Necessary Final Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 11:15 AM - Noon |
Lunch Break Provided for Commissioners and Proxies
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| Noon - 2 PM |
Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Supplemental Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (J. Cimino, W. Townsend)
- Consider Approval of Recreational Measures Setting Process Addenda/Framework for Public Comment (C. Tuohy, T. Bauer, J. Beaty) Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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| 2:15 - 3 PM |
Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Supplemental Presentations Audio
- Welcome/Call to Order (N. Meserve & W. Townsend)
- Board Consent
- Approval of Agenda
- Approval of Proceedings from February 2024 (Board only)
- Public Comment
- Consider Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Addendum XXXV/Framework for Final Approval Final Action
- Review Options and Public Comment Summary (C. Tuohy and K. Dancy)
- Consider Final Approval of Addendum XXXV and Council Framework Action
- Other Business/Adjourn
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