The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly via webinar March 20, 2025 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee and AP will review a draft of the 2025 Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment report.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, 302-526-5250; bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the March 20th EOP meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2338 542 8845; Password: mpP4RtWA6p7)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2338 542 8845.   Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff Briefing Memo

• Draft 2025 EAFM Risk Assessment Summary Report (3/14/2025)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly March 4, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Hilton BWI Airport (1739 W Nursery Road, Linthicum Heights, MD 21092. Webinar connection information below for those who wish to participate virtually.

During this meeting, the EOP Committee and AP will provide recommendations regarding the Council’s Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Review and the draft EFH Review Reports that have been prepared.

Staff Contact: Jessica Coakley, 302-526-5252; jcoakley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2348 544 7171; Password: MarchEOP_2025EFH)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2348 544 7171. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Combined Meeting Materials

• MAFMC EFH Review Summary Report

  1. EFH designations methods (for maps and text)*

  2. Impacts of Council-managed fishing activities (also includes Component 6)*

  3. Non-MSA fishing activities that may impact EFH*

  4. Non-fishing activities that may impact EFH*

  5. Cumulative impacts (fishing & non-fishing) - see Summary Report Above

  6. Conservation recommendations to minimize the adverse impacts of fishing on EFH (see Component 2 Above)

  7. Food habits information*

  8. Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) designations - see Summary Report Above

  9. Habitat research needs*

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly via webinar on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee and AP will review the draft components of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to the Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment report.

Staff Contact:

Brandon Muffley; (302-526-5250; bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the July 31 EOP Committee and AP meeting (if prompted, enter Meeting number: 2345 550 4158; Meeting password: Z73SmnYTRp8). After you connect, you will have an opportunity to choose whether you want to use your phone or computer mic/speakers for audio.

• For telephone-only access, dial +1-415-655-0001 (US Toll) and enter access code 2345 550 4158

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff Memo: Background Information and Meeting Objectives

• Draft 2024 Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Risk Assessment Report

• Presentation

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly via webinar on Friday, April 26th from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

During this meeting, the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel and Committee will discuss the unmanaged commercial landings reports which are provided to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) by NOAA Fisheries each year.

Staff Contact: Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webex meeting. If prompted, enter meeting number 2344 201 7141 and password 2RyNnECqD63.

• Please connect your audio through your computer, telephone, or other device by following the prompts that appear after opening the webinar. If you must join by phone only, you may dial (415) 655-0001 and enter access code 2344 201 7141. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or other device.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• 2023 unmanaged landings report

• Data used in 2023 unmanaged landings report (confidential data removed)

• Presentation

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee and AP will resume their comprehensive review of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to the Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302) 526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org; Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the August 22, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting

  • Meeting number (access code): 2338 180 5585

  • Meeting password: amMhCeYj463

  • Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2338 180 5585

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Summary report from July 7, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting

• EAFM Risk Elements and Definitions – Summary of EOP Feedback (from 7/7/23 meeting)

• EAFM Risk Elements, Definitions, and Indicators – Discussion Document (from 7/7/23 meeting)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee and AP will continue the comprehensive review of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302) 526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org; Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the July 7, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting. If prompted, enter meeting number: 2339 047 2390; Password: 4txDMtuqR26

• Phone Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access Code: 2339 047 2390

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• EAFM Risk Elements and Definitions – Summary of EOP Feedback

• EAFM Risk Elements, Definitions, and Indicators – Discussion Document

• April 27, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting summary

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Advisory Panel will meet via webinar on Monday, May 15, 2023 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Advisory Panel to discuss development of a policy/process for Council review of exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications for species listed as ecosystem components under the Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment. During this meeting, we will review background on this topic as well as a summary of the April 27 EOP Committee meeting on the same topic. The AP will then have the opportunity to provide feedback and input into the development of this policy/process.

Staff Contact: Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2342 081 1498; Password: hRmPwh7C9Z6). After you connect, you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• For phone only access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2342 081 1498. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff memo: background and recommendations for next steps

• Summary of April 27, 2023 EOP Committee meeting

• Pacific Fishery Management Council Operating Procedure 24 (COP 24): Protocol for consideration of exempted fishing permits for shared ecosystem component species

• Comment letter from 11 organizations to the EOP Committee

• Lund’s Proposal to Assess the Impacts of an Atlantic Thread Herring Purse Seine Fishery on Endangered Species in the Mid-Atlantic Region

• Staff presentation

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The EOP Committee will meet from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., then will meet jointly with the EOP Advisory Panel from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee will discuss development of a process/policy for reviewing exempted fishing permit applications for species designated as ecosystem components under the Council’s Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment. The Committee will provide guidance to staff on development of this draft policy/process. The EOP Committee will then meet jointly with the Advisory Panel (AP) to continue the comprehensive review of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to the Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment. The Committee and AP will review and provide feedback on existing and potentially new risk elements and their definitions for inclusion in an updated risk assessment, Risk elements identify an aspect that may threaten achieving the biological, economic, or social objectives that the Council desires from a fishery. Both projects will continue to be developed with input from the EOP Committee and AP throughout the year with draft products for Council review and approval anticipated in the fall of 2023.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302) 526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org; Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the EOP Committee and AP meeting. If prompted, enter meeting number: 2346 876 6291; Password: qNSj3Gv7fs8

• Phone Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access Code: 2346 876 6291

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Materials for EFP Policy/Process

• Staff memo: background and recommendations for next steps

• GARFO input to Lund’s Fisheries on thread herring EFP

• Comment Letter from 11 NGOs

•      Materials for EAFM Risk Assessment Review

• Staff memo: summary of risk element feedback

• November 30, 2022 EOP Committee and AP meeting summary

• Mid-Atlantic EAFM Risk Assessment Documentation and Results (2018)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet together, via webinar on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee and AP to provide feedback on the results and future application of a research project the Council is collaborating on with a research team from Rutgers University related to forecast models to predict short-term climate-induced distribution changes for four economically important Mid and South Atlantic managed species (Summer Flounder, Spiny Dogfish, Illex Squid, and Gray Triggerfish). EOP Committee and AP feedback, as well as input from the SSC, will be presented to the Council for their consideration.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302)526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the February 23, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2345 293 5438; Password: AEiQyjTk444). After you connect, you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• For phone only access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2345 293 5438. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Project Overview

• February 24, 2022 Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee and AP meeting summary

• Presentation_Short-term Forecasts of Species Distributions for Fisheries Management

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet together, via webinar on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 9am until 12pm. The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee and AP to begin a comprehensive review of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment. The Council completed the initial risk assessment in 2017 to provide a snapshot of the current risks to meeting management objectives and helps the Council decide where to focus resources to address priority ecosystem considerations. This comprehensive review will allow the Council to evaluate new and existing objectives and risk elements and consider new information and analyses that are available to help update the risk assessment. It is anticipated the review will be completed in the fall of 2023.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302)526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the November 30, 2022 EOP Committee and AP meeting (if prompted, enter Meeting number: 2343 678 8844; Meeting password: 8TrcRda3Vs4). After you connect, you will have an opportunity to choose whether you want to use your phone or computer mic/speakers for audio.

• For telephone-only access, dial +1-415-655-0001 (US Toll) and enter access code 2343 678 8844.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Initial EAFM Risk Assessment (2017)

• EAFM Risk Assessment Update (2022)

• EAFM Guidance Document (2019)

• Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report (2022)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet together, via webinar on Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 10am until 12pm. The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee and its Advisors to develop comments for Council consideration related to the NOAA proposal to designate the Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2349 264 3872; Password: MAFMC2022). After you connect you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2349 264 3872. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff Memo: Background and Considerations for Council Comments

• June 8, 2022 Federal Register Public Scoping Notice of Intent

• July 2022 ONMS letter to MAFMC regarding consultation during the designation process

• April 2017 Mid-Atlantic Council comment letter on Hudson Canyon Sanctuary nomination

• Staff Memo: Landings and Revenue Assessment for Original Nominated Area

• Staff Presentation

• Supplemental:

  • November 2016 WCS nomination for Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary

  • GARFO analysis: Assessment of Commercial Landings and Revenues in Original Nominated Area (downloads as html file)

  • GARFO analysis: Assessment of Recreational For-Hire Landings and Revenues in Original Nominated Area (downloads as html file)

The Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel held a joint meeting via webinar on Thursday, February 24, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting was for the EOP Committee and AP to provide feedback and input on a research project the Council is collaborating on with a research team from Rutgers University. The project is developing forecast models to predict short-term (1-10 years) climate-induced distribution changes for four economically important Mid and South Atlantic managed species (summer flounder, spiny dogfish, Illex squid, and gray triggerfish). Short-term projections should provide for greater management utility and application since most management considerations and decisions operate at similar timescales. A forecast model has been completed for summer flounder and the research team will present on model development and initial/draft results and outputs. The EOP Committee and AP provided feedback on the model outputs and their potential utility and offered input on future project direction and next steps.

• Webinar Recording

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Project Overview: Short-term forecasts of species distributions for fisheries management

• Presentation

The Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel will meet by webinar on November 18, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., to develop recommendations to the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee regarding offshore wind energy policy.

Meeting Objectives:

• Review NEFMC Habitat PDT, Habitat Advisory Panel, and Habitat Committee recommendations for revisions to offshore wind energy policy.

• Develop recommendations to the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee regarding offshore wind energy policy.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda and Background Information

• Current Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council wind energy policy.

• NEFMC Habitat PDT recommended revisions to policy

• Memo from NEFMC Habitat PDT with background on recommended revisions

• Additional revisions recommended by NEFMC Habitat Advisory Panel and Committee during their October 26, 2021 meeting

Webinar Information

• Click here to join the webinar (if prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2343 920 6213; Password: jGky5Gmnm45).

• Audio Options: Participants can use their computer mic/speakers or telephone for webinar audio. Once you have joined the webinar at the link above, you will be able to select your audio options. If you have an unstable internet connection, we recommend using the “call in” option. To use your phone to connect to audio, first sign into the webinar link above, then look for the “call in” option (if you don’t see this, look for the “use computer audio” button, which will have a little down arrow next to it that you can click on – that should bring up the “call in” option). That will give you a prompt with the phone number, access code, and Attendee ID#. Please make sure to use the Attendee ID# on your screen, as that will allow us to identify you on our end.

• Phone-Only Access: 1-844-621-3956 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2343 920 6213. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

The Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Advisory Panel and Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will meet jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, from 9:00 A.M. through 12:00 P.M. The meeting will take place over webinar with a telephone-only connection option.

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce advisory panel members to goals, process, and expectations associated with conducting a management strategy evaluation (MSE). Later this year, the Council will begin conducting an MSE as part of its Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) structured decision framework that will evaluate the biological and economic benefits of management alternatives to minimize discards in the recreational summer flounder fishery. Advisory panel members will listen to a series of background presentations on the EAFM process and an introduction to MSE and will then participate in a mock MSE stakeholder workshop using an example recreational issue to solicit feedback and input on management objectives.

• Recording: EAFM and MSE Introduction Presentation

Meeting Materials

• Meeting Agenda

• Overview of the Mid-Atlantic Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Approach

• Background on Mock Workshop and Fishery Example

• Applying Structured Decision Making to Recreational Fisheries Management by B. Irwin et al. 2011

• Strategic management decision-making in a complex world: quantifying, understanding, and using trade-offs by A. Punt. 2015

Presentations

1. Introduction – Goals for Meeting

2. Overview of Mid-Atlantic Council EAFM Process

3. Introduction to Management Strategy Evaluation and Mock Workshop Example

4. Wrap-Up and Next Steps

The Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel (AP) of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, from 2:00 P.M. through 4:00 P.M. The meeting will take place over webinar with a telephone-only connection option.

The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee and AP to provide initial feedback and input on a new research project the Council is collaborating on with a team from Rutgers University. The project will develop forecast models to predict short-term (1-10 years) distribution changes for four economically important Mid and South Atlantic species. Short-term projections should provide for greater management utility and application since most management considerations and decisions operate at similar timescales. The EOP Committee and AP will provide feedback on the utility of these types of models, data availability, and potential outcomes.

Webinar Details

To join the webinar, go to http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/dec19eopandap/. Audio connection instructions will pop up automatically when you join the webinar. For audio-only access, dial 1-800-832-0736; and enter room number 5939710#.

Meeting Materials

1. Agenda

2. Project proposal - Near-term forecasts of species distributions for fisheries management

3. Project fact sheet by Lenfest

The Mid-Atlantic Council’s Ecosystems and Ocean Planning and River Herring/Shad Advisory Panels (APs) will meet jointly via webinar to provide recommendations on the Council’s 2020-2024 strategic plan. This discussion will be followed by a River Herring/Shad AP discussion of recent river herring/shad catch cap performance and related issues.

Webinar Connection

• http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/eop-rhs-sp/ Telephone instructions are provided upon connecting, or call direct: 800-832-0736, Rm: *7833942#.

Background Documents

• MAFMC 2020-2024 Strategic Plan Development Overview

• Strategic Planning Presentation

• Additional documents will be posted here once available

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee with Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a public meeting on Friday, October 6, 2017.  The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude no later than 3:00 p.m.   The meeting will be held via webinar with a telephone-only connection option.

• Webinar link: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/oct2017eopwebinar/
• Conference Number: 1-800-832-0736; Meeting Room Number: 5939710

The purpose of the meeting is to review the final list of risk elements to be evaluated by the Council as part of its Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management. At this meeting, the EOP Committee and Advisors will provide final rankings of the risk elements that will be communicated to the full Council at its October meeting in Riverhead, NY. Once adopted, the prioritized risk matrix will be used by the Council to inform its future work and scientific research plans.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• DRAFT Mid-Atlantic EAFM Risk Assessment Documentation

A meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee with EOP Advisors will be held on September 12, 2017 at the Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W Baltimore St., Baltimore, MD 21202 (410-659-3096).  The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude by 5:00 p.m. 

• Webinar Link: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/sept2017eop/
• Conference Number: 1-800-832-0736; Conference Room Number: 5939710

The purpose of the meeting is to identify the final list of risk elements to be evaluated by the Council as part of its Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management. In addition, the EOP Committee and Advisors will provide initial rankings of the risk elements that will be communicated to the full Council at its October meeting in Riverhead, NY.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• Potential EAFM Risk Elements as Identified by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
• EAFM Risk Assessment - August 2017 Briefing Materials
• EAFM Risk Elements - DRAFT Definitions, 9/12/17

Presentations

• Mid-Atlantic EAFM Risk Assessment Review context, Sarah Gaichas

Webinar Recordings

• EOP Morning Session
• EOP Afternoon Session

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel will meet on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m. The meeting will be held via webinar (http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/eop072916/) with a telephone audio connection (provided when connecting). Public access to the webinar will be provided at the Council offices (800 State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE).  

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and provide comments on the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Guidance Document which will be presented to the Council for approval at its August 2016 meeting in Virginia Beach, VA.

Meeting Materials

• Draft Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Guidance Document

This meeting is 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.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel (AP) will meet on Wednesday July 6, 2016 from 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the BWI Airport Marriott, 1743 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, Maryland, 21090. A webinar connection will also be available at http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/eop_ap_july2016/. See meeting agenda for additional webinar details.

The purpose of this meeting is to develop recommendations for final action on the Council’s Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment. This amendment will prohibit the development of new and expansion of existing directed commercial fisheries on unmanaged forage species in Mid-Atlantic Federal waters until the Council has had an adequate opportunity to both assess the scientific information relating to any new or expanded directed fisheries and consider potential impacts to existing fisheries, fishing communities, and the marine ecosystem. At this meeting, the AP will consider comments received during public hearings and will develop recommendations to the Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee and to the full Council for final action on the amendment. An EOP Committee meeting on the same topic will be held on July 7, 2016. The Council plans to take final action on the amendment at their meeting in Virginia Beach on August 8-11, 2016. 

Meeting Materials

• Meeting Agenda
• Discussion Document
• Abbreviated Public Comment Summary
• Full Public Comment Summary

Additional Comments

• Jeff Kaelin comments to EOP Committee on forage amendment

Contact

Julia Beaty, Fishery Management Specialist - 302-526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

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.

The Council's Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7491-A New Ridge Road, Hanover, MD, (410) 878-7200.

The purpose of this meeting is for the AP to provide input to the Council on the development of written Council policy on fishing activities that may impact fish habitat. These policies are intended to enable the Council to work more effectively to address fish habitat and ecosystem issues in our region.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• Fishing Impacts – Draft Background Document
• Fishing Impacts – Draft Council Policy
• Questions and Issues Re. Process, Draft Policy, and Background Document

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.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel (AP) will meet  on Thursday March 17, 2016 from 9:00 am to 3:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton Baltimore –BWI Airport, 890 Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum, Maryland, 21090; telephone: (410)-859-8400.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning AP to provide input on the development of the Council’s Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment. The meeting will include a discussion of development of the amendment to date. The AP will provide input on management alternatives and other aspects of the amendment. 

Webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/eop_ap_march2016/ 
(This will be a listen-only webinar; however, participants will be able to provide comments via the chat feature. Participants must connect through the internet or the Adobe Connect app. There will not be an option to call in.)

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• Background materials 
• Comprehensive FMAT list of species
   

This meeting is 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.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel (AP) will meet via webinar on Monday, January 11, 2016 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Council’s Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment and develop recommendations for several aspects of the amendment. This amendment will prohibit the development of new, or expansion of existing, directed fisheries on unmanaged forage species in Mid-Atlantic Federal waters until adequate scientific information is available to promote ecosystem sustainability. The webinar will include a discussion of development of the amendment to date. The AP will then be asked to provide input on preliminary management alternatives, a draft list of unmanaged forage species to be addressed in the amendment, and other aspects of the amendment.

Webinar

The meeting will be held via webinar with a with a telephone-only connection option.

• Webinar Link: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/eop_ap_forage/
• Phone connection: 1-800-832-0736, room # 5068871

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• Summary of January 6, 2016 FMAT meeting
• FMAT draft list of species to consider for possible inclusion in amendment (Excel file)
• Staff Presentation

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.

The Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel (AP) will meet on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Baltimore – BWI Airport (890 Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum, Maryland, 21090; telephone: 410-859-8400.)

The purpose of the meeting is to provide input to the Council on the development of written Council policy on non-fishing activities that impact fish habitat. The development of written policy on these activities will allow the Council to comment more quickly on proposed activities and projects, and enable the Council to work more effectively in addressing fish habitat and ecosystem issues in our region. 

Meeting Materials

Download all briefing materials combined

• Agenda
• July 2015 AP Meeting Summary
• Marine Transport
  • Marine Transport Background Document
  • Marine Transport – Draft Council Policy
• Coastal Development
  • Coastal Development Background Document
  • Coastal Development – Draft Council Policy   

For other background and policy documents (liquified natural gas, offshore wind, and offshore oil), please see the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee Briefing Materials from the August 2015 Council Meeting.

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.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel (AP) will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton Baltimore (BWI Airport, 890 Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum, Maryland, 21090; telephone: (410)-859-8400.)

The objective of this meeting is to provide input to the Council on the development of written Council policy on anthropogenic activities that impact fish habitat in our region (i.e., Coastal Development Issues, Liquefied Natural Gas, Marine Transport, Offshore Oil and Gas, Offshore Wind Energy, and Fishing Gear Impacts). The development of written Council policy on these activities will allow the Council to comment more quickly and effectively on activities and projects proposed in the Mid-Atlantic region, and enable the Council to work more effectively in addressing fish habitat and ecosystem issues in our region.

Meeting Materials

DRAFT AGENDA

Briefing Documents

Updated July 16, 2015

Download all briefing materials combined

1. Improving How the Council Addresses Anthropogenic (Human) Activities that Impact Fish Habitat (DRAFT)
2. Introduction and Methods
3. General Policies on Non-Fishing Activities and Projects – Draft Council Policy
4. Liquefied Natural Gas
   1. Liquefied Natural Gas Background Document
   2. Liquefied Natural Gas – Draft Council Policy
5. Offshore Wind Energy
   1. Offshore Wind Background Document
   2. Offshore Wind – Draft Council Policy
6. Offshore Oil
   1. Offshore Oil Background Document
   2. Offshore Oil – Draft Council Policy
7. Marine Transport
   1. Marine Transport Background Document
   2. Marine Transport – Draft Council Policy
8. Coastal Development
   1. Coastal Development Background Document
   2. Coastal Development – Draft Council Policy
9. Habitat Impacts from Fishing
   1. Fishing Background Document
   2. Fishing – Draft Council Policy

Reference Materials

Download all reference materials combined

1. Impacts to Marine Fisheries Habitat from Nonfishing Activities in the Northeastern United States, NOAA Fisheries
2. Living Shorelines: From Barriers to Opportunities, Restore America's Estuaries
3. Offshore Wind Best Management Practices Workshop, MAFMC
4. Offshore Wind Energy Development Site Assessment and Characterization: Evaluation of the Current Status and European Experience, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
5. MAFMC Comments to Delaware Coastal Programs on Proposed Geophysical Seismic Surveys
6. MAFMC Comments to BOEM on the 2017-2022 Proposed Oil and Gas Leasing Program

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.