April 2024 Council Meeting

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met Tuesday, April 9 – Thursday, 11, 2024 at The Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

• Meeting Motions

• Meeting Report

Recordings

• April 9, 2024 - MSA Confidentiality Proposed Rule, Offshore Wind Compensation, State of the Ecosystem Report, EAFM Risk Assessment, Habitat Updates

• April 10, 2024 (AM) - Dogfish/Monkfish Sturgeon Bycatch Framework, Industry Based Survey Update

• April 10, 2024 (PM) - Golden Tilefish Catch Share Program Review, Golden Tilefish Research Track Assessment Overview, Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy Construction Sounds on Longfin Squid and Black Sea Bass, Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions Framework

• April 11, 2024 - Business Session

Agenda and Briefing Materials

• Agenda

• Stock Status

• Combined Briefing Book

Tuesday, April 9th

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Proposed Rule to Update Regulations Associated with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act’s Confidentiality Requirements – NOAA Fisheries HQ Staff

• Briefing Materials (Tab 1)

• Presentation

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Offshore Wind Fisheries Compensation Programs

• Briefing Materials (Tab 2)

• Supplemental:

  • Comment letter from Last Tow LLC on Offshore Wind Fisheries Compensation Programs and Data Needs

• Presentation

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 2024 State of the Ecosystem Report – Dr. Sarah Gaichas, NEFSC

• Briefing Materials (Tab 3)

• Presentation

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  2024 Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Risk Assessment Report

• Briefing Materials (Tab 4) 

• Presentation

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Habitat Activities Update – Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division

• Briefing Materials (Tab 5) 

• Presentation

Wednesday, April 10th  

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Joint MAFMC/NEFMC Framework to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Interactions in the Monkfish/Dogfish Gillnet Fisheries: Final action

• Briefing Materials (Tab 6) 

• Supplemental:

  • Draft Joint Framework Action to Reduce Sturgeon Bycatch in Monkfish and Spiny Dogfish Fisheries

• Presentation

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. NTAP Progress Report for Industry-Based Survey Pilot Program

• Briefing Materials (Tab 7) 

• Presentation

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. ---------- LUNCH ----------

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Golden Tilefish Catch Share Program Review

• Briefing Materials (Tab 8)

• Presentation

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Golden Tilefish Research Track Assessment Overview

• Briefing Materials (Tab 9) 

• Supplemental:

  • Summary Report of the Golden Tilefish Research Track Stock Assessment Peer Review

• Presentation

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy Construction Sounds on Behavior of Longfin Squid and Black Sea Bass – Aran Mooney, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

• Briefing Materials (Tab 10) 

• Presentation

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions Framework Meeting #1 (with ASMFC SFSBSB Board)

• Briefing Materials (Tab 11)

• Supplemental:

  • April 2 Public Input Webinar Summary and Written Comment

• Presentation

Thursday, April 11th   

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Business Session

• Committee Reports

  • Scientific and Statistical Committee (Tab 12)

  • Presentation

• Executive Director’s Report (Tab 13)

  • Supplemental:

    • Hudson Canyon Sanctuary Advisory Council April 2 Agenda

    • Hudson Canyon SAC Recommendations for Draft Sanctuary Management Plan

    • MAFMC Comments: Hudson Canyon 304(a)(5) Consultation (January 2023)

    • Additional Offshore Wind Updates

    • MAFMC Letter to GARFO: Potential Issuance of an Exempted Fishing Permit by NOAA Fisheries to the Coonamessett Farm Foundation (4/3/24)

• Organization Reports:

  • NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office - GARFO Status of Actions Report

  • NOAA Fisheries Northeast Fisheries Science Center

  • NOAA Office of General Counsel

  • NOAA Office of Law Enforcement - NOAA OLE First Quarter Report

  • US Coast Guard

• Liaison Reports (Tab 14)

  • New England Council

  • South Atlantic Council

• Other Business and General Public Comment