The Council's Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Advisory Panel will meet on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. to review analyses and develop recommendations for the Squid Capacity Amendment. The meeting will be held at the Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, 2081 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886. 

The Advisory Panel will provide input on an Amendment to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.  The amendment could reduce the capacities of the longfin squid and Illex squid fleets. The Council is considering this action because of concern that activation of latent capacity in the squid fisheries could lead to excessive fishing effort and increased catch of non-target species. Several other issues are being considered as well: (1) new permits for Maine/northern states; (2) re-evaluation of longfin squid trimesters; and (3) longfin squid buffer zones (e.g. 10 miles) beyond state waters in the area south of Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket. 

Contact Jason Didden for more information - (302) 526-5254, jdidden@mafmc.org. 

Agenda

9-9:05am:     Welcome and introductions
9:05-10:45am: Squid capacity discussion
10:45am-11am: Public comment on squid capacity
11am – noon.  Possibly additional capacity discussions, possibly moving on to trimester issues
Noon-1pm      Lunch
1-3:30 pm:    Trimester, Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket, and Maine Issues
3:30-3:45:    Public comment on Trimester, Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket, and Maine Issues
3:45-5pm:     Additional Advisory Panel discussion on any issues that need further consideration.

We recently received a request for a remote phone connection by a member of the public and one will be available for listening only: (800) 832-0736, Room: *7833942#  No comments will be taken over the phone – it is listen only.

Meeting Materials

• 2006 Discussions
• Correspondence
• Lisa Hendrickson Documents
• Updated Action Plan
• May FMAT Meeting Summary
• Requalification – Possible options for longfin/Illex re-qualification criteria
• Discards in the Longfin Squid Trawl Fishery

Special Accommodations

These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to M. Jan Saunders, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.