The Joint Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will hold public meetings to discuss recreational management measures for the upcoming fishing year(s). Summer flounder recreational measures will be discussed from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., scup measures from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and black sea bass measures from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

The meeting will be held via webinar at http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/sfscbsb-advisors/ (enter as a guest).

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

The Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee will meet on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Doubletree by Hilston BWI in Baltimore, MD to recommend recreational management measures for the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries for the 2014 fishing year. Multi-year recreational measures may be considered for all three species into 2015.

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Additional information, including the meeting agenda and briefing documents, will be posted on this page in the weeks prior to the meeting. 

For more information, contact Rich Seagraves. 

Summary

The Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee will review the annual catch target (ACT) and other management measures that have been established for the 2014 fishing year in light of the recent assessment update and September 17, 2013 review by the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee.

Contact

For questions, please contact Jim Armstrong 302-526-5250 jarmstrong@mafmc.org

Meeting Materials

Agenda 

Terms of Reference 

Other Meeting Materials 

Connect to the Webinar

This is an online meeting.  You will need an internet connection and phone in order to participate.  Audio instructions will be provided after you connect via the link below: 

http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/dogfish/

Special Accommodations

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Summary

The Bluefish Monitoring Committee and Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee will meet on September 19 to discuss and recommend 2014 annual catch targets (ACTs) and other associated management measures for the bluefish, summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. Multi-year ACTs and management measures, applicable to fishing years 2014-2016, may be considered. 

Contact

For Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass, contact Kiley Dancy at (302) 526-5257              or kdancy@mafmc.org.

For Bluefish, contact Jim Armstrong at (302) 526-5250 or jarmstrong@mafmc.org.

Terms of Reference

Other meeting materials (SSC Meeting Materials Webpage)

Special Accommodations

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date. 

Summary

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel (AP) will meet to develop a Fishery Performance Report for the Spiny Dogfish fishery in preparation for the Council and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee review of specifications that have been set for the 2014 fishing year. 

The meeting will be held via webinar at http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/dogfish/

A listening station will also be available at the Council's office at 800 N. State St., Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901.

Materials

• Agenda
• AP Info Document
• 2012 Spiny Dogfish Fishery Performance Report 
• Presentation

Special Accommodations:

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Contact

For further information, contact Jim Armstrong (telephone: 302-526-5250) 

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel (AP) will meet to  to review fishery performance and to create AP Fishery Performance Reports for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass fisheries. These Fishery Performance Reports will be provided to the MAFMC and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission prior to development of specifications for the 2014 fishing year, including catch and landings limits and other management measures.

A listening station will also be available at the Council's office at 800 N. State St., Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901.

Additional Information

For further information, contact Kiley Dancy (telephone: 302-526-5257) 

Special Accommodations:

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Summary

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Advisory Panel (AP) will meet to develop recommendations for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder accountability measures.  

Due to declining stock status, Georges Bank yellowtail flounder catch is likely to be severely restricted in coming years.  The small-mesh whiting and squid fisheries have bycatch of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder that will likely need to be mitigated as part of a variety of fishing restrictions.  The Whiting Advisory Panel is meeting at the same time and the two advisory panels will meet jointly since the small-mesh measures are likely to affect both the whiting and squid fisheries.  The goal of the meeting is to develop recommendations for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder accountability measures to be considered as alternatives in Multispecies Framework Adjustment 51 and/or a future action in the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.  Accountability measures can either be proactive, which prevent annual catch limit overages or reactive, which pay back past overages and/or prevent future overages.

Special Accomodations

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Contacts

For more information about this meeting, contact Jason Didden at (302) 526-5254 or jdidden@mafmc.org. 

Summary

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Bluefish Advisory Panel (AP) will meet to develop a Fishery Performance Report for the Bluefish fishery in preparation for the Council and the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee review of specifications that have been set for the 2014 fishing year. 

The meeting will be held via webinar at  http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/bluefish/

A listening station will be available at the Council office at 800 N. State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone:  (302) 674-2331.  

Special Accommodations

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Contact

For more information about the meeting, contact Jim Armstrong (302-526-5250) 

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a public hearing on August 14 in conjunction with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's August meeting. The SAFMC amendments to be covered at this hearing include Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendments 19, 20 & Framework action; Dolphin/Wahoo Amendment 5; and the Generic Dealer Amendment. 

Additional information about the amendments and how to submit comments is available on the South Atlantic Council's Public Hearing Page. 

Amendment Overview

Snapper Grouper Regulatory Amendment 14

The draft regulatory amendment addresses proposed changes for species within the snapper grouper management complex including greater amberjack, gag grouper, vermilion snapper, and black sea bass. 

Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 5

The draft amendment includes minor revisions to the acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, and other management parameters for dolphin and wahoo to incorporate updates to the Marine Recreational Information Program.  Additionally, the amendment includes measures for revising the framework procedure for dolphin and wahoo, and establishment of commercial trip limits for dolphin.

Documents

• Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 5 (Public Hearing version)
• Dolphin Wahoo Amendment 5 Public Hearing Summary

Coastal Migratory Pelagics (Mackerel) Amendments 19, 20 and Framework

Three draft amendments affecting fisheries for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel and cobia are being developed jointly by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.  Issues include: the sale of bag limit king mackerel and Spanish mackerel (including tournament sale of king mackerel); elimination of inactive king mackerel permits; modifications to income requirements for federal permits; transit provisions; annual catch limits and targets for cobia; transfer at sea and gillnet allowances for Spanish mackerel; trip limits for king mackerel; and consideration of regional annual catch limits for king mackerel and Spanish mackerel.

Coral Amendment 8

The amendment includes alternatives for expanding protection of of Deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPCs) and transit provisions through the Oculina Bank HAPC located off the central east coast of Florida.

Documents

• Coral Amendment 8 (Public Hearing version)
• Coral Amendment 8 Public Hearing Summary

Overview

WHO: NOAA Fisheries Service Northeast Fisheries Science Center fishery researchers and science leadership, other knowledgeable researchers

WHAT: It’s a chance to talk informally about likely condition of all three stocks shared with Canada, and the challenges of predicting the future for yellowtail flounder in particular.  Scientists and NOAA Fisheries Service leaders from the region will be on hand to talk about upcoming special flatfish surveys, a recent international stock assessment workshop that took on the yellowtail assessment, and the next steps for using the results in fishery management.

WHERE: New Bedford Free Public Library (Main Library): 613 Pleasant St., New Bedford MA 

WHEN: Monday, August 12, 10-11:30 AM

GOAL: Understanding among fishermen and researchers about scientific information available on these three stocks and next steps for using it in fishery management

Contacts

For more information, contact Teri Frady, NOAA NEFSC, teri.frady@noaa.gov, 508.495.2239. Stock assessment summaries are posted here: http://nefsc.noaa.gov/saw/trac/.

The Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard will hold a hearing on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. titled, “New England and Mid-Atlantic Perspectives on Magnuson-Stevens Act Reauthorization.” The hearing will explore the progress made to date and the ongoing challenges faced in transitioning to sustainable fisheries management in New England and the Mid-Atlantic since the 2006 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA).

Click here to watch the live webcast
Refresh the page 10 minutes prior to scheduled start time to automatically begin streaming the webcast.

Testimony from managers, fishermen, academics, and other stakeholders is expected to explore the impacts the MSA amendments have had on U.S. fisheries in these regions, as well as recommend potential changes to the Act for Congress to consider. 

Witness Panel 1

The Honorable John K. Bullard
Regional Administrator, Northeast Regional Office , National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

Mr. C.M. "Rip" Cunningham Jr. 
Chairman, New England Fishery Management Council

Mr. Richard B. Robins 
Chairman, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Witness Panel 2

Mr. Nick Muto 
Chairman, Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance

Mr. John McMurray 
Owner and Operator, "One More Cast" Charters

Mr. Patrick Paquette 
Recreational Angler

Dr. John Boreman 
Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, North Carolina State University

Dr. Josh Wiersma 
Sector Manager, Northeast Fisheries Sectors XI/XII

Purpose

Provide a forum for the climate, oceanography, and fisheries science community to share knowledge and identify priority science needs and opportunities to advance understanding of the impacts of climate variability and change on fish stocks of the U.S. Northeast Shelf Large Marine Ecosystem. 

Organizers:

• Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Service
• Geophysical Fluid Dynamic Laboratory, NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
• Joint Office for Science Support (JOSS)

More Information

• Invitation
• Registration 
• Agenda 

Meeting Information

The Council will hold public meetings in Narragansett, Rhode Island (RI) and Cape May, New Jersey (NJ) to get public input on potential changes to squid (longfin and Illex) assessment and management. 

In January 2013, the Council held a workshop on squid    (longfin and Illex) assessment and management.  The workshop brought fishermen, managers, and academics together to discuss potential ways to make squid management more responsive to current conditions.  A summary and additional materials from the workshop are available at: http://www.mafmc.org/workshop/squid-management-workshop-january-2013.  

Several recommendations came out of the workshop, including getting additional input from fishermen in convenient locations.  These meetings address that recommendation and will solicit input from attendees on all of the potential ways to improve squid assessment and management that were recommended at the workshop.  For more information, contact Jason Didden

Meeting Date and Location

​The Narragansett, RI meeting will be on May 22, 2013 from 10 am to approximately noon, but may go later if necessary.  The Cape May, NJ meeting will be on June 5, 2013 from 7 pm to approximately 9 pm but may go later if necessary.   

​The Narragansett, Rhode Island meeting will be held at Superior Trawl, 55 State Street, Narragansett, RI 02882.  (401) 263-3671.  The Cape May, New Jersey meeting will be held at the Congress Hall Hotel, 29 Perry St, Cape May, NJ 08204 (888) 944-1816. 

Special Accommodations:

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

Meeting information

The Council's Mackerel-Squid-Butterfish (MSB) Monitoring Committee will meet twice to develop recommendations for 2014 MSB specifications.  The first meeting will be in Gloucester, MA and the second will be via webinar.  The May 23 Gloucester meeting will focus on developing options for River Herring and Shad Catch Caps for implementation in 2014 per Amendment 14 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.  Implementation of Amendment 14 is expected by January 1, 2014.  The May 28 webinar meeting will address any outstanding River Herring and Shad Cap issues as well as other MSB management measures for 2014.  The public may participate in the May 28 meeting via webinar or in person at the Council Address listed below if desired (please contact the Council ahead of time).  

For more information about the meeting, contact Jason Didden​.

Documents

• 2014 Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Specifications and Management Measures- Alternatives Discussion Document

Webinar audio recording: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/p2h0g95axmq/  

​

Meeting Information

The Council's Mackerel-Squid-Butterfish (MSB) Monitoring Committee will meet twice to develop recommendations for 2014 MSB specifications.  The first meeting will be in Gloucester, MA and the second will be via webinar.  Additional information about the second meeting is available on the May 28 Webinar page.

The May 23 Gloucester meeting will focus on developing options for River Herring and Shad Catch Caps for implementation in 2014 per Amendment 14 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.  Implementation of Amendment 14 is expected by January 1, 2014.  This first meeting will be held jointly with the New England Fishery Management Council's (NEFMC) Atlantic Herring Plan Development Team.  The NEFMC is considering River Herring and/or Shad catch caps for the Atlantic Herring fishery so a joint meeting has been arranged.  The May 28 webinar meeting will address any outstanding River Herring and Shad Cap issues as well as other MSB management measures for 2014.  

For more information, contact Jason Didden.​

Special Accommodations:

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.

​

Meeting Information

​The Council will hold public meetings in Narragansett, Rhode Island (RI) and Cape May, New Jersey (NJ) to get public input on potential changes to squid (longfin and Illex) assessment and management. 

In January 2013, the Council held a workshop on squid    (longfin and Illex) assessment and management.  The workshop brought fishermen, managers, and academics together to discuss potential ways to make squid management more responsive to current conditions.  A summary and additional materials from the workshop are available at: http://www.mafmc.org/workshop/squid-management-workshop-january-2013.  

Several recommendations came out of the workshop, including getting additional input from fishermen in convenient locations.  These meetings address that recommendation and will solicit input from attendees on all of the potential ways to improve squid assessment and management that were recommended at the workshop.  For more information, contact Jason Didden. 

Meeting Date and Location

The Narragansett, RI meeting will be on May 22, 2013 from 10 am to approximately noon, but may go later if necessary.  The Cape May, NJ meeting will be on June 5, 2013 from 7 pm to approximately 9 pm but may go later if necessary.   

​The Narragansett, Rhode Island meeting will be held at Superior Trawl, 55 State Street, Narragansett, RI 02882.  (401) 263-3671.  The Cape May, New Jersey meeting will be held at the Congress Hall Hotel, 29 Perry St, Cape May, NJ 08204 (888) 944-1816. 

Special Accommodations:

The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to M. Jan Saunders at the Mid-Atlantic Council Office (302) 526-5251 at least five days prior to the meeting date.