The Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) will meet to discuss the range of alternatives in terms of the Magnuson Act and NEPA requirements for the Squid Capacity Amendment. 

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

About FMAT Meetings
Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. The Council typically posts announcements of FMAT meetings to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. Detailed agendas and information on the meeting location and how to connect via phone or webinar (if available) are not posted but may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. FMAT members may discuss topics listed on the agenda in any order and may also discuss topics not listed. Members of the public may attend FMAT meetings, or listen to the meetings if they are broadcast, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the FMAT chair invites public input during a specified public comment period to be noted at the beginning of the meeting. Work carried out by the FMAT is considered during committee and/or Council meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The Council's Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly on December 1 in Baltimore, MD. The meeting will be broadcast for listen-only webinar access (no remote participation) via this link: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/squid-com-ap/

Additional ongoing analyses described in the Sept 13 AP Meeting Summary will be posted on November 29, but the following documents will support the meeting:

Meeting Materials

• Decision Points
• Updated Preliminary Re-Qualificaton Analysis
• Sept 13, 2016 Advisory Panel (AP) Meeting Summary
• Dec 1 FR Notice
• 2006 Trimester Discussions
• Correspondence
• Lisa Hendrickson Analyses
• 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.

The Council will convene a peer review panel consisting of members of the MAFMC’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and other outside experts, to review a summer flounder allocation model project. The meeting will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton BWI Airport (890 Elkridge Landing Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090; telephone: (410) 859-8400.)

The MAFMC contracted the development of this project to inform consideration of potential changes to the allocation of annual catch and landings limits between the commercial and recreational sectors of the summer flounder fishery. This analysis aims to determine which allocations would maximize benefits to the commercial and recreational sectors. The results of this project and peer review are scheduled to be presented to the MAFMC in December 2016.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda, Background, and Terms of Reference

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 will hold three public hearings in November 2016 to gather public comments on a request by the State of New Jersey to designate 13 of its artificial reef sites located in federal waters as Special Management Zones (SMZ). The hearings will be held November 15-17, 2016. Written comments will be accepted until Friday, November 25, 2016, 11:59 p.m. EST.

Public Hearing Schedule

The dates and locations of the public hearings are as follows:

• Tuesday November 15, 2016, 7:00-9:30 p.m., Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Brooklyn NY 11235, Room M239 of the Marina and Academic Center (The Lighthouse).
• Wednesday November 16, 2016, 7:00-10:00 p.m., Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 815 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755.
• Thursday November 17, 2016, 7:00-10:00 p.m., Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204.

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.

Written Comments

Written comments will be accepted until Friday, November 25, 2016, 11:59 p.m. and may be sent by any of the following methods:

• Mail to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE, 19901 (include “NJ SMZ Request” on envelope);
• Fax to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council at fax number 302-674-5399 (include “NJ SMZ Request” in the subject line); or
• Email to Rich Seagraves at rseagraves@mafmc.org (include “NJ SMZ Request” in the subject line).

Background

In November 2015, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) petitioned the Mid-Atlantic Council to designate 13 artificial reef sites as SMZs under provisions of Amendment 9 to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. The petition was based on the need to reduce gear conflicts between hook and line fishermen and fixed pot/trap gear at those sites. The SMZ designation could prohibit the use of any gear except hook and line and spear fishing (including the taking of fish by hand) within the 13 potential SMZ sites. The Council’s SMZ Monitoring Team (MT) evaluated the NJDEP request and recommended that the Council designate all 13 artificial reef sites as SMZs. The MT analysis indicated that commercial fishing vessels deploying pot/trap gear off the coast of New Jersey would likely face minimal to no losses in ex-vessel revenue if the artificial reefs are designated as SMZs. The Council is scheduled to review public comments and make a decision relative to NJ SMZ designation at its December 2016 meeting in Annapolis, MD.

For more information, contact Rich Seagraves at rseagraves@mafmc.org. 

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC’s) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC’s) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel on Thursday, November 17, 2016 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 p.m.

The meeting will take place over webinar with a telephone-only connection option. 

• Webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/ap_nov16/
• Audio: 800-832-0736, room number 4472108

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss recreational management measures (e.g., bag limits, size limits, and seasons) and strategies for recreational summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries in 2017.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• Summer Flounder Recreational Staff Memo
• Scup Recreational Staff Memo
• Black Sea Bass Recreational Measures Staff Memo 
• Monitoring Committee recommendations

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 will hold three public hearings in November 2016 to gather public comments on a request by the State of New Jersey to designate 13 of its artificial reef sites located in federal waters as Special Management Zones (SMZ). The hearings will be held November 15-17, 2016. Written comments will be accepted until Friday, November 25, 2016, 11:59 p.m. EST.

Public Hearing Schedule

• Tuesday November 15, 2016, 7:00-9:30 p.m., Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Brooklyn NY 11235, Room M239 of the Marina and Academic Center (The Lighthouse).
• Wednesday November 16, 2016, 7:00-10:00 p.m., Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 815 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755.
• Thursday November 17, 2016, 7:00-10:00 p.m., Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204.

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.

Written Comments

Written comments will be accepted until Friday, November 25, 2016, 11:59 p.m. and may be sent by any of the following methods:

• Mail to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE, 19901 (include “NJ SMZ Request” on envelope);
• Fax to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council at fax number 302-674-5399 (include “NJ SMZ Request” in the subject line); or
• Email to Rich Seagraves at rseagraves@mafmc.org (include “NJ SMZ Request” in the subject line).

Background

In November 2015, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) petitioned the Mid-Atlantic Council to designate 13 artificial reef sites as SMZs under provisions of Amendment 9 to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. The petition was based on the need to reduce gear conflicts between hook and line fishermen and fixed pot/trap gear at those sites. The SMZ designation could prohibit the use of any gear except hook and line and spear fishing (including the taking of fish by hand) within the 13 potential SMZ sites. The Council’s SMZ Monitoring Team (MT) evaluated the NJDEP request and recommended that the Council designate all 13 artificial reef sites as SMZs. The MT analysis indicated that commercial fishing vessels deploying pot/trap gear off the coast of New Jersey would likely face minimal to no losses in ex-vessel revenue if the artificial reefs are designated as SMZs. The Council is scheduled to review public comments and make a decision relative to NJ SMZ designation at its December 2016 meeting in Annapolis, MD.

For more information, contact Rich Seagraves at rseagraves@mafmc.org. 

Mid-Atlantic Council to Hold Hearings on New Jersey Special Management Zones

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold three public hearings in November 2016 to gather public comments on a request by the State of New Jersey to designate 13 of its artificial reef sites located in federal waters as Special Management Zones (SMZ). The hearings will be held November 15-17, 2016. Written comments will be accepted until Friday, November 25, 2016, 11:59 p.m. EST.

Public Hearing Schedule

The dates and locations of the public hearings are as follows:

• Tuesday November 15, 2016, 7:00-9:30 p.m., Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Brooklyn NY 11235, Room M239 of the Marina and Academic Center (The Lighthouse).
• Wednesday November 16, 2016, 7:00-10:00 p.m., Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 815 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755.
• Thursday November 17, 2016, 7:00-10:00 p.m., Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204.

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.

Written Comments

Written comments will be accepted until Friday, November 25, 2016, 11:59 p.m. and may be sent by any of the following methods:

• Mail to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE, 19901 (include “NJ SMZ Request” on envelope);
• Fax to Dr. Chris Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council at fax number 302-674-5399 (include “NJ SMZ Request” in the subject line); or
• Email to Rich Seagraves at rseagraves@mafmc.org (include “NJ SMZ Request” in the subject line).

Background

In November 2015, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) petitioned the Mid-Atlantic Council to designate 13 artificial reef sites as SMZs under provisions of Amendment 9 to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. The petition was based on the need to reduce gear conflicts between hook and line fishermen and fixed pot/trap gear at those sites. The SMZ designation could prohibit the use of any gear except hook and line and spear fishing (including the taking of fish by hand) within the 13 potential SMZ sites. The Council’s SMZ Monitoring Team (MT) evaluated the NJDEP request and recommended that the Council designate all 13 artificial reef sites as SMZs. The MT analysis indicated that commercial fishing vessels deploying pot/trap gear off the coast of New Jersey would likely face minimal to no losses in ex-vessel revenue if the artificial reefs are designated as SMZs. The Council is scheduled to review public comments and make a decision relative to NJ SMZ designation at its December 2016 meeting in Annapolis, MD.

For more information, contact Rich Seagraves at rseagraves@mafmc.org. 

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel, together with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Advisory Panel, will meet via webinar on Monday, November 14, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The meeting will take place over webinar with a telephone-only connection option. 

• Webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/scup_quota_ap/
• Audio: 1-800-832-0736, room number 5068871

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss potential changes to the dates of the three commercial quota periods for the scup fishery. The three quota periods are each allocated a different percentage of the annual commercial quota and different possession limits are in effect during each period. The Council is considering initiating a framework adjustment, or other management action, to modify the dates of these quota periods, based on past requests from Advisory Panel members. During this meeting, advisors will review a preliminary analysis of the potential impacts of modifying the quota period dates, will review recommendations from the Monitoring Committee, and will have an opportunity to provide the Council with additional input on a potential management action to modify these dates.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• Staff memo: initial analysis of scup commercial seasons modification

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 and New England Fishery Management Councils are developing an omnibus amendment to allow for industry-funded monitoring. This amendment includes omnibus alternatives that would modify all the fishery management plans managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils to allow for standardized and streamlined development of future industry-funded monitoring programs. Additionally, this amendment includes alternatives for new industry-funded monitoring programs for the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.

View the Federal Register notice for complete details.

Documents

• Draft Omnibus Amendment and draft Environmental Assessment 
• Public Hearing Document - updated 10/19/2016

Public Hearings

The dates and locations of the public hearings are as follows.

•  Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, telephone: (978) 281-9300;
• Monday, October 17, 2016, 5-7 p.m., Online webinar - audio information will be provided when you enter the webinar, or you can call in directly: 800-832-0736RM: *7833942# (To provide oral comments you must call in via phone.)
• Thursday, October 20, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Double Tree by Hilton Hotels, 363 Maine Mall Road, Portland, ME 04106, telephone: (207) 775-6161;
• Thursday, October 27, 2016, 5-7 p.m., Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204, telephone: (888) 944-1816;
• Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Corless Auditorium, Watkins Building University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, 218 Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02874.

Written Comments

You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;=OAA-NMFS-2016-0125, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments;
• Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope “Comments on IFM Omnibus Amendment;”
• Comments may also be provided verbally at any of the five public hearings.

The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils are developing an omnibus amendment to allow for industry-funded monitoring. This amendment includes omnibus alternatives that would modify all the fishery management plans managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils to allow for standardized and streamlined development of future industry-funded monitoring programs. Additionally, this amendment includes alternatives for new industry-funded monitoring programs for the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.

View the Federal Register notice for complete details.

Documents

• Draft Omnibus Amendment and draft Environmental Assessment 
• Public Hearing Document - updated 10/19/2016

Public Hearings

The dates and locations of the public hearings are as follows.

•  Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, telephone: (978) 281-9300;
• Monday, October 17, 2016, 5-7 p.m., Online webinar - audio information will be provided when you enter the webinar, or you can call in directly: 800-832-0736RM: *7833942# (To provide oral comments you must call in via phone.)
• Thursday, October 20, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Double Tree by Hilton Hotels, 363 Maine Mall Road, Portland, ME 04106, telephone: (207) 775-6161;
• Thursday, October 27, 2016, 5-7 p.m., Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204, telephone: (888) 944-1816;
• Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Corless Auditorium, Watkins Building University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, 218 Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02874.

Written Comments

You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;=OAA-NMFS-2016-0125, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments;
• Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope “Comments on IFM Omnibus Amendment;”
• Comments may also be provided verbally at any of the five public hearings.

Coastal Migratory Pelagics Amendment 30 includes one action to change the recreational fishing year for Atlantic cobia. In combination with the proposed changes to the recreational bag/vessel limit and minimum size limit in Framework Amendment 4 (approved by the SAFMC in September 2016), the change to the recreational fishing year is expected to reduce the risk of exceeding the recreational annual catch limit before participants in all states have opportunities to fish for cobia. The proposed measure would impact management of Atlantic cobia, which extends from the FL/GA border northward to NY.

DATE: October 25, 2016

TIME: 6:00 PM 

LOCATION: The public hearing is being held  via webinar only. Registration for the webinar is required - Click here to register.

HEARING OVERVIEW: 
Council staff will provide a presentation on the amendment and provide participants an opportunity to ask questions. Once the Q&A session is complete, staff will open the public comment portion of the hearing and participants will be able to provide verbal public comment via the webinar using the mics on their computer or phone.

AMENDMENT DOCUMENTS/PRESENTATIONS: 
Access the amendment documents and a video presentation to learn more about the action in the amendment.

Submit Comments

Written comments may be submitted by using the online public comment form, mail, or fax.  

Further details on submitting written comments are available at the Public Hearing & Scoping Meeting page of the Council's website.

Deadline for Submitting Written Comments: All written comments are due by 5 PM on November 15, 2016.

The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils are developing an omnibus amendment to allow for industry-funded monitoring. This amendment includes omnibus alternatives that would modify all the fishery management plans managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils to allow for standardized and streamlined development of future industry-funded monitoring programs. Additionally, this amendment includes alternatives for new industry-funded monitoring programs for the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.

View the Federal Register notice for complete details.

Documents

• Draft Omnibus Amendment and draft Environmental Assessment 
• Public Hearing Document - updated 10/19/2016

Public Hearings

The dates and locations of the public hearings are as follows.

•  Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, telephone: (978) 281-9300;
• Monday, October 17, 2016, 5-7 p.m., Online webinar - audio information will be provided when you enter the webinar, or you can call in directly: 800-832-0736RM: *7833942# (To provide oral comments you must call in via phone.)
• Thursday, October 20, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Double Tree by Hilton Hotels, 363 Maine Mall Road, Portland, ME 04106, telephone: (207) 775-6161;
• Thursday, October 27, 2016, 5-7 p.m., Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204, telephone: (888) 944-1816;
• Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Corless Auditorium, Watkins Building University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, 218 Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02874.

Written Comments

You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;=OAA-NMFS-2016-0125, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments;
• Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope “Comments on IFM Omnibus Amendment;”
• Comments may also be provided verbally at any of the five public hearings.

The Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils are developing an omnibus amendment to allow for industry-funded monitoring. This amendment includes omnibus alternatives that would modify all the fishery management plans managed by the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils to allow for standardized and streamlined development of future industry-funded monitoring programs. Additionally, this amendment includes alternatives for new industry-funded monitoring programs for the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan and the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. View the Federal Register notice for complete details.

Public Hearings

The dates and locations of the public hearings are as follows.

• Tuesday, October 4, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, telephone: (978) 281-9300;
• Monday, October 17, 2016, 5-7 p.m., Online webinar - audio information will be provided when you enter the webinar, or you can call in directly: 800-832-0736RM: *7833942# (To provide oral comments you must call in via phone.)
  • Presentation
  • Webinar Recording
• Thursday, October 20, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Double Tree by Hilton Hotels, 363 Maine Mall Road, Portland, ME 04106, telephone: (207) 775-6161;
• Thursday, October 27, 2016, 5-7 p.m., Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, NJ 08204, telephone: (888) 944-1816;
• Tuesday, November 1, 2016, 6-8 p.m., Corless Auditorium, Watkins Building University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, 218 Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02874.

Written Comments

You may submit written comments by any of the following methods:

• Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;=OAA-NMFS-2016-0125, click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments;
• Mail: John K. Bullard, Regional Administrator, NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Mark the outside of the envelope “Comments on IFM Omnibus Amendment;”
• Comments may also be provided verbally at any of the five public hearings.

The Council's Summer Flounder Amendment Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) will meet via webinar on Monday, September 26, 2016 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The FMAT will discuss draft revisions to FMP goals and objectives for summer flounder, and discuss tasks for the amendment's commercial and recreational issues working groups. 

Additional information about this action is available on the Summer Flounder Amendment page. 

Contact: Kiley Dancy, kdancy@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5257

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. The Council typically posts announcements of FMAT meetings to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. Detailed agendas and information on the meeting location and how to connect via phone or webinar (if available) are not posted but may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. FMAT members may discuss topics listed on the agenda in any order and may also discuss topics not listed. Members of the public may attend FMAT meetings, or listen to the meetings if they are broadcast, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the FMAT chair invites public input during a specified public comment period to be noted at the beginning of the meeting. Work carried out by the FMAT is considered during committee and/or Council meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The Council's Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee will meet on Friday, September 16, 2016 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. to review 2017 specifications and management measures and make any appropriate recommendations.  The meeting will be held via webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/spinydogmc-2016/. Call-in information is provided upon logging onto the webinar.

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.

The Council's Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel (AP) will meet via webinar on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to review recent fishery performance and develop a Fishery Performance Report and/or other recommendations in preparation for the Council's review of specifications at the October 2016 Council meeting.

The meeting will be held via webinar, but anyone can also attend at the Council office address (see below). The webinar link is: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/dogfishap2016/. Please call the Council at least 24 hours in advance if you wish to attend at the Council office.

Council address:  Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. State St., Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone:  (302) 674-2331.

The purpose of the meeting is to create a Fishery Performance Report by the Council's Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel.  The intent of the report is to facilitate structured input from the Advisory Panel members into the specifications process.  Spiny dogfish specifications were recently announced for the 2016-2018 fishing years, but the Council and its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) review the performance of multi-year specifications each year.

Meeting Materials

• Dogfish AP Information Document
• Webinar Recording

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.

NOAA Fisheries is holding an informational webinar on how to find and apply for Fiscal Year 17 Saltonstall-Kennedy funding on August 30th at 3:00pm EST.

All potential applicants are encouraged to attend this webinar to learn more about the S-K program, its objectives, this year's priorities, the application process, and the timeline for this year's solicitation.

Join by audio: 
Dial-in: 888-790-2009
Participant Code: SK2017

Event address for attendees:
https://noaaevents3.webex.com/noaaevents3/onstage/g.php?MTID=e060de01f22f87874427b40050ccbd73c

Event number: 994 713 673
Event password: NOAA

The Council's River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Committee will meet on Monday, August 15, 2016 from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via webinar (http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/rh-s-com-aug15-2016/) with a telephone audio connection (provided when connecting).

In October 2016 the Council will consider whether to develop an Amendment that could add several species of river herrings and shads as Council-managed species.  This RH/S Committee meeting will review a white paper and draft decision document related to the need for Council management of blueback herring, alewife, American shad, and hickory shad.  Public comments will also be taken. 

Meeting Materials

• River Herring and Shad Staff White Paper - 2016 Update
• River Herring and Shad 2016 Draft Decision Document
• Webinar Recording

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.

Questions? Contact Jason Didden - (302) 526-5254/jdidden@mafmc.org

The Monkfish PDT will hold a conference call to review the 2016 Operational Assessment report and develop recommendations to the SSC, including calculation of the Overfishing Limit (OFL) and Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) under existing reference point control rules. Also develop recommendations to the Monkfish Committee, as appropriate, regarding Annual Catch Targets (ACTs) and management measure options. The PDT will also discuss the Action Plan for the specifications package. 

Call In information:

Dial +1 (408) 650-3123 (Please note that this is not a toll-free number.) 
Access Code: 339-758-277  
**Please be sure to mute your phone upon joining the call so that there will be no interference with the team’s discussion.**

Online access:

This meeting will be broadcast online via GoToMeeting. Members of the public who call in will have listenonly access. The meeting will begin on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. EST. Click the following link to join https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/339758277. Use VoIP with a microphone and speakers for audio – a headset is recommended.

Click here for more information.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will hold a public meeting, jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel. The meeting will be held on Friday, July 29, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via webinar with a telephone-only connection option.

Webinar Connection: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/ap-july2016/. Audio only connection: (800) 832-0736; conference room number 4472108. 

The purpose of this meeting is for the Advisory Panels to review and comment on recent stock assessment information, as well as the reports and recommendations of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee regarding previously implemented fishery specifications (i.e., catch and landings limits and management measures) for 2017-2018. The Council and ASMFC will consider input from the AP in August when reviewing these specifications.

Meeting Materials

Agenda

• AP 7/29 Agenda

SSC and Monitoring Committeee Reports

• Monitoring Committee Report
• July SSC Meeting Report

Summer Flounder

• Summer Flounder Staff Memo: Specifications Review for 2017-2018
• Summer Flounder Assessment Update for 2016
• Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Performance Reports
  • Additional Advisor Comments (as of 7/8/16)
• Summer Flounder Fishery Information Document

Scup

• Scup Staff Memo: Specifications Review for 2017-2018
• Scup Data Update for 2016
• Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Performance Reports (Scup - p. 4)
  • Additional Advisor Comments (as of 7/8/16; same as document above for summer flounder)
• Scup Fishery Information Document

Black Sea Bass

• Black Sea Bass Staff Memo: Specifications Review for 2017
• Black Sea Bass Data Update for 2016
• Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Performance Reports (Black Sea Bass- p. 7)
  • Additional Advisor Comments (as of 7/8/16; same as document above for summer flounder)
• Black Sea Bass Fishery Information 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 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.