Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to Meet in Alexandria, Virginia
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet at the Old Town Holiday Inn Select, 480 King Street, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia on January 20-22, 2004. During the meeting, the Council’s Demersal Committee will convene with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board members to discuss implementing multi-year specifications for these fisheries. The Ecosystems Committee will meet on Wednesday to address rebuilding stocks, establishing recreational licenses, and essential fish habitat issues followed by a Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee meeting to finalize issues to be included in the public hearing document for Amendment 9. The Committee will also consider issues to be addressed in Amendment 10 to the Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Fishery Management Plan. On Wednesday afternoon, the Council will receive an update by National Marine Fisheries Service on its fishery dependent data collection programs and its current bycatch activities. On Thursday, the Council will take action on reinitiation of a tilefish limited entry system as well as conduct its regularly scheduled activities.
Tuesday, January 20
NOTE: Independent of the Council, the ASMFC’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board will be meeting from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the same location as the Council.
3:00 – 5:00 Demersal Species Committee meeting with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board
– Address Framework 5 multi-year specification action
Wednesday, January 21
8:00 – 10:00 Ecosystems Committee
– Address how to deal with rebuilt stocks
– Discuss recreational license issues
– Review EFH issues, i.e., comments re 2002 final rule
10:00 – 12:00 Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee
– Finalize issues to be addressed for Amendment 9 public hearing draft
– Address issues to be included in Amendment 10
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch
1:00 Council convenes
1:00 – 4:00 Briefing on NMFS fishery dependent data collection systems
(1:00 – 3:00) Recreational Sector: MRFSS
– Receive a presentation regarding:
* Design and evolution of MRFSS from 1979 to present
* Operational features and practices of current data collection
(3:00 – 4:00) Commercial Sector
– Receive comment on proposed regulations for electronic dealer reporting
* Review of NERO data collection system and practices for commercial landings
* Review of how new electronic commercial landings data collection system will work
4:00 – 5:00 NMFS Bycatch Activities
– Review status of national and regional bycatch implementation plans
Thursday, January 22
8:00 Council convenes
8:00 – 10:00 Cooperative Research Activities
– Receive reports regarding 2003 research projects accomplished and planned activities for 2004 and 2005
* NFI – SMC
* Rutgers University
* NEFSC
10:00 – 11:00 SAW/SARC Report
11:00 Approval of October and December 2003 Minutes
Actions from December
Organizational Reports
– NMFS Regional Administrator
– NMFS NEFSC
– NOAA Office of General Counsel
– US Fish & Wildlife
– Federal Enforcement (NMFS and USCG)
– ASMFC
Status of MAFMC FMPs Executive Director’s Report Committee Reports
– Demersal
– Ecosystem
– Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish
– Trawl Survey
– New England Council
– South Atlantic Council
Continuing and New Business
– Update on reinitiation of tilefish limited entry system
The above agenda items may not be taken in the order in which they appear and are subject to change as necessary; other items may be added. The meeting may be closed to discuss employment or other internal administrative matters.