Council Meeting in Freehold, New Jersey: June 10-12, 2014

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's June 2014 meeting on June 10 - 12, 2014 in Freehold, New Jersey. The meeting will be held at the Radisson Hotel Freehold, 50 Gibson Place, Freehold, NJ 07782: telephone 732-780-3400.

Briefing Materials: All briefing materials will be posted on the June Council meeting page as they become available. May 28 is the deadline for public comments to be submitted for inclusion in the briefing book. Comments submitted by June 4 will be printed and distributed at the meeting. Click here for more information on submitting public comments.

Webinar Access: For online access during the meeting, enter as a guest at: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/june2014/

 

Agenda

Tuesday, June 10th

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Committee

  • 2015 - 2016 Specifications
    • Review the most recent information to determine if adjustments are needed for the 2015 - 2016 fishing year.
  • Amendment 17 (Cost Recovery Amendment)
    • Review draft alternatives
    • Provide input to FMAT for continued Amendment development

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Ecosystems and Ocean Planning Committee

  • Receive presentations on National and Regional habitat initiatives
  • Discuss developing/enhancing role of this Committee under the 2014-2018 Strategic Plan

Wednesday, June 11th

8:30 a.m.  Council Convenes

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Specifications

  • Review specifications for 2015-2016 

9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Demersal Committee Meeting as a Committee of the Whole

  • Review scoping document for Summer Flounder Amendment

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Framework to Open Black Sea Bass Fishery in Wave 1 (Framework Meeting 1)

  • Review options and direct staff as appropriate

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. River Herring & Shad Committee Meeting as a Committee of the Whole

  • Review and develop recommendations for the River Herring/Shad cap
  • Review progress on River Herring/Shad conservation

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Committee Meeting as a Committee of the Whole

  • Review SSC recommendations
  • Develop 2015 specifications and related management measures
  • Review slippage provisions in Framework 9 relative to slippage provisions in Framework 4 of Herring Fishery Management Plan

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Listening Session Russ Dunn

  • NOAA Recreational Policy

Thursday, June 12th

8:00 a.m.  Council Convenes

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Omnibus ABC Framework (Framework Meeting 2)

  • Review suggested modifications to the ABC Omnibus Framework and take action as appropriate
  • Multiyear ABC's
  • Assessment level designations
  • Reference points

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Research Set-Aside Program Review

  • Timing of RSA quota availability (potential for availability in January - March)
  • Progress on implementation of Council recommendations to improve RSA Program
  • Recent enforcement activities
  • Future direction of RSA Program

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Business Session

  • Organization Reports
    • NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Office
    • NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center
    • NOAA Office of General Counsel
    • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
    • U.S. Coast Guard
    • Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
  • Liaison Reports
    • New England Council
    • South Atlantic Council
  • Executive Director's Report, Chris Moore
  • Science Report, Rich Seagraves
    • Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Guidance document update
  • Committee Reports
    • Ecosystems and Ocean  Planning Committee
  • Continuing and New Business