The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly via webinar March 20, 2025 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee and AP will review a draft of the 2025 Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment report.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, 302-526-5250; bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the March 20th EOP meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2338 542 8845; Password: mpP4RtWA6p7)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2338 542 8845.   Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff Briefing Memo

• Draft 2025 EAFM Risk Assessment Summary Report (3/14/2025)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly March 4, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Hilton BWI Airport (1739 W Nursery Road, Linthicum Heights, MD 21092. Webinar connection information below for those who wish to participate virtually.

During this meeting, the EOP Committee and AP will provide recommendations regarding the Council’s Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Review and the draft EFH Review Reports that have been prepared.

Staff Contact: Jessica Coakley, 302-526-5252; jcoakley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2348 544 7171; Password: MarchEOP_2025EFH)

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2348 544 7171. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Combined Meeting Materials

• MAFMC EFH Review Summary Report

  1. EFH designations methods (for maps and text)*

  2. Impacts of Council-managed fishing activities (also includes Component 6)*

  3. Non-MSA fishing activities that may impact EFH*

  4. Non-fishing activities that may impact EFH*

  5. Cumulative impacts (fishing & non-fishing) - see Summary Report Above

  6. Conservation recommendations to minimize the adverse impacts of fishing on EFH (see Component 2 Above)

  7. Food habits information*

  8. Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC) designations - see Summary Report Above

  9. Habitat research needs*

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee will meet jointly with the New England Fishery Management Council Habitat Committee via webinar December 18, 2024 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m..

During this meeting the EOP and Habitat Committees will discuss recommendations regarding the Council’s Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) reviews and the draft EFH Review Reports being prepared for the Council.

MAFMC Staff Contact:

• Jessica Coakley, 302-526-5252; jcoakley@mafmc.org

• Brandon Muffley, 302-526-5250; bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• You must register for this zoom meeting at this link

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Meeting materials are being posted and are available at this link: https://www.nefmc.org/calendar/dec-18-2024-joint-nefmc-habitat-committee-and-mafmc-ecosystem-and-ocean-planning-eop-committee

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly via webinar on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee and AP will review the draft components of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to the Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment report.

Staff Contact:

Brandon Muffley; (302-526-5250; bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the July 31 EOP Committee and AP meeting (if prompted, enter Meeting number: 2345 550 4158; Meeting password: Z73SmnYTRp8). After you connect, you will have an opportunity to choose whether you want to use your phone or computer mic/speakers for audio.

• For telephone-only access, dial +1-415-655-0001 (US Toll) and enter access code 2345 550 4158

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff Memo: Background Information and Meeting Objectives

• Draft 2024 Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management Risk Assessment Report

• Presentation

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly via webinar on Friday, April 26th from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

During this meeting, the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel and Committee will discuss the unmanaged commercial landings reports which are provided to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) by NOAA Fisheries each year.

Staff Contact: Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webex meeting. If prompted, enter meeting number 2344 201 7141 and password 2RyNnECqD63.

• Please connect your audio through your computer, telephone, or other device by following the prompts that appear after opening the webinar. If you must join by phone only, you may dial (415) 655-0001 and enter access code 2344 201 7141. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or other device.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• 2023 unmanaged landings report

• Data used in 2023 unmanaged landings report (confidential data removed)

• Presentation

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee and AP will resume their comprehensive review of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to the Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302) 526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org; Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the August 22, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting

  • Meeting number (access code): 2338 180 5585

  • Meeting password: amMhCeYj463

  • Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2338 180 5585

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Summary report from July 7, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting

• EAFM Risk Elements and Definitions – Summary of EOP Feedback (from 7/7/23 meeting)

• EAFM Risk Elements, Definitions, and Indicators – Discussion Document (from 7/7/23 meeting)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee and AP will continue the comprehensive review of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302) 526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org; Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the July 7, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting. If prompted, enter meeting number: 2339 047 2390; Password: 4txDMtuqR26

• Phone Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access Code: 2339 047 2390

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• EAFM Risk Elements and Definitions – Summary of EOP Feedback

• EAFM Risk Elements, Definitions, and Indicators – Discussion Document

• April 27, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting summary

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Advisory Panel will meet via webinar on Monday, May 15, 2023 from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Advisory Panel to discuss development of a policy/process for Council review of exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications for species listed as ecosystem components under the Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment. During this meeting, we will review background on this topic as well as a summary of the April 27 EOP Committee meeting on the same topic. The AP will then have the opportunity to provide feedback and input into the development of this policy/process.

Staff Contact: Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2342 081 1498; Password: hRmPwh7C9Z6). After you connect, you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• For phone only access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2342 081 1498. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff memo: background and recommendations for next steps

• Summary of April 27, 2023 EOP Committee meeting

• Pacific Fishery Management Council Operating Procedure 24 (COP 24): Protocol for consideration of exempted fishing permits for shared ecosystem component species

• Comment letter from 11 organizations to the EOP Committee

• Lund’s Proposal to Assess the Impacts of an Atlantic Thread Herring Purse Seine Fishery on Endangered Species in the Mid-Atlantic Region

• Staff presentation

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023. The EOP Committee will meet from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., then will meet jointly with the EOP Advisory Panel from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

During this meeting the EOP Committee will discuss development of a process/policy for reviewing exempted fishing permit applications for species designated as ecosystem components under the Council’s Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment. The Committee will provide guidance to staff on development of this draft policy/process. The EOP Committee will then meet jointly with the Advisory Panel (AP) to continue the comprehensive review of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to the Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment. The Committee and AP will review and provide feedback on existing and potentially new risk elements and their definitions for inclusion in an updated risk assessment, Risk elements identify an aspect that may threaten achieving the biological, economic, or social objectives that the Council desires from a fishery. Both projects will continue to be developed with input from the EOP Committee and AP throughout the year with draft products for Council review and approval anticipated in the fall of 2023.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302) 526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org; Julia Beaty, (302) 526-5250, jbeaty@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the EOP Committee and AP meeting. If prompted, enter meeting number: 2346 876 6291; Password: qNSj3Gv7fs8

• Phone Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access Code: 2346 876 6291

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Materials for EFP Policy/Process

• Staff memo: background and recommendations for next steps

• GARFO input to Lund’s Fisheries on thread herring EFP

• Comment Letter from 11 NGOs

•      Materials for EAFM Risk Assessment Review

• Staff memo: summary of risk element feedback

• November 30, 2022 EOP Committee and AP meeting summary

• Mid-Atlantic EAFM Risk Assessment Documentation and Results (2018)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet together, via webinar on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee and AP to provide feedback on the results and future application of a research project the Council is collaborating on with a research team from Rutgers University related to forecast models to predict short-term climate-induced distribution changes for four economically important Mid and South Atlantic managed species (Summer Flounder, Spiny Dogfish, Illex Squid, and Gray Triggerfish). EOP Committee and AP feedback, as well as input from the SSC, will be presented to the Council for their consideration.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302)526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the February 23, 2023 EOP Committee and AP meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2345 293 5438; Password: AEiQyjTk444). After you connect, you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• For phone only access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2345 293 5438. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Project Overview

• February 24, 2022 Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee and AP meeting summary

• Presentation_Short-term Forecasts of Species Distributions for Fisheries Management

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet together, via webinar on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 9am until 12pm. The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee and AP to begin a comprehensive review of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) risk assessment. The Council completed the initial risk assessment in 2017 to provide a snapshot of the current risks to meeting management objectives and helps the Council decide where to focus resources to address priority ecosystem considerations. This comprehensive review will allow the Council to evaluate new and existing objectives and risk elements and consider new information and analyses that are available to help update the risk assessment. It is anticipated the review will be completed in the fall of 2023.

Staff Contact: Brandon Muffley, (302)526-5260, bmuffley@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the November 30, 2022 EOP Committee and AP meeting (if prompted, enter Meeting number: 2343 678 8844; Meeting password: 8TrcRda3Vs4). After you connect, you will have an opportunity to choose whether you want to use your phone or computer mic/speakers for audio.

• For telephone-only access, dial +1-415-655-0001 (US Toll) and enter access code 2343 678 8844.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Initial EAFM Risk Assessment (2017)

• EAFM Risk Assessment Update (2022)

• EAFM Guidance Document (2019)

• Mid-Atlantic State of the Ecosystem Report (2022)

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled seven public information workshops to help inform fishermen and other stakeholders about ecosystem-based fishery management (EBFM) and its potential application to a Georges Bank Ecosystem Production Unit. The Council has been referring to this approach as an example Fishery Management Plan for Georges Bank (eFEP).

Given the potential implications for Mid-Atlantic fisheries and stakeholders, one of the workshops will be held in Montauk, NY on November 9. Please note that the workshop originally planned for Manahawkin, NJ has been cancelled. Learn more and register at the links below.

Register for the Workshops > HERE

• Meeting Notice with all Workshop Dates (updated 11/2/22)

• Visit the Council’s EBFM Public Information Workshops and Outreach Materials webpage to download EBFM infographics, brochures, guides, and other educational resources.

• Watch the five-minute Introductory Video.

• Read the EBFM Workshops Press Release (updated 11/2/22).

• Workshop Agenda

QUESTIONS? Contact Senior Fishery Analyst Andrew Applegate, the Council’s EBFM lead, at aapplegate@nefmc.org.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet together, via webinar on Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 10am until 12pm. The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee and its Advisors to develop comments for Council consideration related to the NOAA proposal to designate the Hudson Canyon as a National Marine Sanctuary.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2349 264 3872; Password: MAFMC2022). After you connect you will have the option to choose whether to use your phone or computer microphone and speakers for audio.

• Phone-Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access code: 2349 264 3872. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff Memo: Background and Considerations for Council Comments

• June 8, 2022 Federal Register Public Scoping Notice of Intent

• July 2022 ONMS letter to MAFMC regarding consultation during the designation process

• April 2017 Mid-Atlantic Council comment letter on Hudson Canyon Sanctuary nomination

• Staff Memo: Landings and Revenue Assessment for Original Nominated Area

• Staff Presentation

• Supplemental:

  • November 2016 WCS nomination for Hudson Canyon National Marine Sanctuary

  • GARFO analysis: Assessment of Commercial Landings and Revenues in Original Nominated Area (downloads as html file)

  • GARFO analysis: Assessment of Recreational For-Hire Landings and Revenues in Original Nominated Area (downloads as html file)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee will meet by webinar on Tuesday May 10, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The purpose of the meeting is to review the draft MAFMC Aquaculture Policy and Aquaculture in the Mid-Atlantic Region background document and to make recommendations for Council approval of the policy document.

Staff Contact: José Montañez, 302-526-5258, jmontanez@mafmc.org

Webinar Details

• Click Here to Join the Meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting number 2344 870 1732, Meeting password: MAFMCEOPC10May22)

• To join by phone: 1-415-655-0001, Access Code: 2344 870 1732

Meeting Materials

1. Staff Memo

2. Aquaculture in the Mid-Atlantic Region Background Document (Draft)

3. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Aquaculture Policy (Draft)

The Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel held a joint meeting via webinar on Thursday, February 24, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting was for the EOP Committee and AP to provide feedback and input on a research project the Council is collaborating on with a research team from Rutgers University. The project is developing forecast models to predict short-term (1-10 years) climate-induced distribution changes for four economically important Mid and South Atlantic managed species (summer flounder, spiny dogfish, Illex squid, and gray triggerfish). Short-term projections should provide for greater management utility and application since most management considerations and decisions operate at similar timescales. A forecast model has been completed for summer flounder and the research team will present on model development and initial/draft results and outputs. The EOP Committee and AP provided feedback on the model outputs and their potential utility and offered input on future project direction and next steps.

• Webinar Recording

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Project Overview: Short-term forecasts of species distributions for fisheries management

• Presentation

The Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee will meet by webinar on November 29, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to develop recommendations to the Council regarding offshore wind energy policy.

Meeting Objectives:

• Review NEFMC Habitat PDT, Habitat Advisory Panel, and Habitat Committee recommendations for revisions to offshore wind energy policy.

• Review EOP Advisory Panel recommendations for offshore wind energy policy.

• Develop recommendations to Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council regarding offshore wind energy policy.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda and Background Information

• Current Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council wind energy policy.

• NEFMC Habitat PDT recommended revisions to policy

• Memo from NEFMC Habitat PDT with background on recommended revisions

• Additional revisions recommended by NEFMC Habitat Advisory Panel and Committee during their October 26, 2021 meeting

• Summary of November 18, 2021 EOP Advisory Panel meeting (to be posted)

Webinar Information

• Click here to join the webinar (if prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2343 850 7253; Password: Hpt4Sicvv34).

• Audio Options: Participants can use their computer mic/speakers or telephone for webinar audio. Once you have joined the webinar at the link above, you will be able to select your audio options. If you have an unstable internet connection, we recommend using the “call in” option. To use your phone to connect to audio, first sign into the webinar link above, then look for the “call in” option (if you don’t see this, look for the “use computer audio” button, which will have a little down arrow next to it that you can click on – that should bring up the “call in” option). That will give you a prompt with the phone number, access code, and Attendee ID#. Please make sure to use the Attendee ID# on your screen, as that will allow us to identify you on our end.

• Phone-Only Access: 1-844-621-3956 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2343 850 7253. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

The Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel will meet by webinar on November 18, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., to develop recommendations to the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee regarding offshore wind energy policy.

Meeting Objectives:

• Review NEFMC Habitat PDT, Habitat Advisory Panel, and Habitat Committee recommendations for revisions to offshore wind energy policy.

• Develop recommendations to the Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee regarding offshore wind energy policy.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda and Background Information

• Current Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council wind energy policy.

• NEFMC Habitat PDT recommended revisions to policy

• Memo from NEFMC Habitat PDT with background on recommended revisions

• Additional revisions recommended by NEFMC Habitat Advisory Panel and Committee during their October 26, 2021 meeting

Webinar Information

• Click here to join the webinar (if prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2343 920 6213; Password: jGky5Gmnm45).

• Audio Options: Participants can use their computer mic/speakers or telephone for webinar audio. Once you have joined the webinar at the link above, you will be able to select your audio options. If you have an unstable internet connection, we recommend using the “call in” option. To use your phone to connect to audio, first sign into the webinar link above, then look for the “call in” option (if you don’t see this, look for the “use computer audio” button, which will have a little down arrow next to it that you can click on – that should bring up the “call in” option). That will give you a prompt with the phone number, access code, and Attendee ID#. Please make sure to use the Attendee ID# on your screen, as that will allow us to identify you on our end.

• Phone-Only Access: 1-844-621-3956 (U.S. Toll Free); Access code: 2343 920 6213. Please only use this option if you are not connecting to the webinar on your computer or device. Otherwise follow the audio connection prompts to call in when you join the webinar.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s (Council) Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee met via webinar on Monday, October 4, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was for the EOP Committee to review and provide feedback on an exempted fishing permit (EFP) application for an experimental purse seine fishery in federal waters for Atlantic thread herring. Thread herring are an ecosystem component species under the Council’s Unmanaged Forage Omnibus Amendment and are subject to a 1,700 pound possession limit. The application requested the ability to catch up to 3,000 MT (6.6 million pounds) of thread herring in 2022 and would require an exemption to the Unmanaged Forage possession limit. The EOP Committee considered input and recommendations developed by the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) at their September meeting regarding the EFP application and proposed data collection program. A summary of the SSC and EOP Committee meetings (provided below) were provided to the full Council during their October meeting.

• Committee Meeting Summary

Contact: Brandon Muffley, bmuffley@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5260

Meeting Materials

1. Agenda

2. Staff Memo to E.D. Chris Moore – Overview of EFP application and process

3. EFP Application and Project Description

4. EFP Sampling Program Description

5. September 2021 SSC meeting report – thread herring EFP comments (pages 4-5)

Supplemental Background Material and Public Comment

• J. Smith. 1994. Marine Fisheries Review

• Pristas and Cheek. 1973. Fishery Bulletin

• Morson et al. 2019. PLOS One

• E. Houde. 1977. Fishery Bulletin

• Sept 1, 2021 email from Audubon to SSC

• October 1, 2021 letter to the EOP Committee from various organizations

Presentations

• Staff Presentation: EFP Process and Overview

• EFP Application and Sampling Program Description

The Council’s Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Advisory Panel and Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel will meet jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Advisory Panel on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, from 9:00 A.M. through 12:00 P.M. The meeting will take place over webinar with a telephone-only connection option.

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce advisory panel members to goals, process, and expectations associated with conducting a management strategy evaluation (MSE). Later this year, the Council will begin conducting an MSE as part of its Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) structured decision framework that will evaluate the biological and economic benefits of management alternatives to minimize discards in the recreational summer flounder fishery. Advisory panel members will listen to a series of background presentations on the EAFM process and an introduction to MSE and will then participate in a mock MSE stakeholder workshop using an example recreational issue to solicit feedback and input on management objectives.

• Recording: EAFM and MSE Introduction Presentation

Meeting Materials

• Meeting Agenda

• Overview of the Mid-Atlantic Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) Approach

• Background on Mock Workshop and Fishery Example

• Applying Structured Decision Making to Recreational Fisheries Management by B. Irwin et al. 2011

• Strategic management decision-making in a complex world: quantifying, understanding, and using trade-offs by A. Punt. 2015

Presentations

1. Introduction – Goals for Meeting

2. Overview of Mid-Atlantic Council EAFM Process

3. Introduction to Management Strategy Evaluation and Mock Workshop Example

4. Wrap-Up and Next Steps

The Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee and Advisory Panel (AP) of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will hold a meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, from 2:00 P.M. through 4:00 P.M. The meeting will take place over webinar with a telephone-only connection option.

The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee and AP to provide initial feedback and input on a new research project the Council is collaborating on with a team from Rutgers University. The project will develop forecast models to predict short-term (1-10 years) distribution changes for four economically important Mid and South Atlantic species. Short-term projections should provide for greater management utility and application since most management considerations and decisions operate at similar timescales. The EOP Committee and AP will provide feedback on the utility of these types of models, data availability, and potential outcomes.

Webinar Details

To join the webinar, go to http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/dec19eopandap/. Audio connection instructions will pop up automatically when you join the webinar. For audio-only access, dial 1-800-832-0736; and enter room number 5939710#.

Meeting Materials

1. Agenda

2. Project proposal - Near-term forecasts of species distributions for fisheries management

3. Project fact sheet by Lenfest

The Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will meet on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, from 9:00 A.M. through 12:00 P.M. The meeting will take place over webinar with a telephone-only connection option. Webinar connection details will be posted on this page prior to the meeting.

The purpose of this meeting is for the EOP Committee to review and provide feedback on an updated draft summer flounder conceptual model, supporting data availability and draft management questions. The development of the summer flounder conceptual model is part of the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) decision framework and considers the high priority risk factors affecting summer flounder and its fisheries. The EOP Committee reviewed an earlier draft model in September 2019 and provided a number of recommendations for the technical workgroup to consider and address in a revised model. The EOP Committee will review these updates and develop recommendations for full Council consideration at the December 2019 Council meeting.

Webinar Information

To join the webinar, go to http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/nov19eopwebinar/. Audio connection instructions will pop up automatically when you join to the webinar. For telephone-only access, dial 1-800-832-0736 and enter room number 5939710#.

Meeting Materials

• Meeting Agenda

• September 19-20, 2019 EOP Committee Meeting Summary

• Summer Flounder Conceptual Model, Data Elements and Definitions

• Revised Draft Management Questions

The Mid-Atlantic Council’s Ecosystems and Ocean Planning and River Herring/Shad Advisory Panels (APs) will meet jointly via webinar to provide recommendations on the Council’s 2020-2024 strategic plan. This discussion will be followed by a River Herring/Shad AP discussion of recent river herring/shad catch cap performance and related issues.

Webinar Connection

• http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/eop-rhs-sp/ Telephone instructions are provided upon connecting, or call direct: 800-832-0736, Rm: *7833942#.

Background Documents

• MAFMC 2020-2024 Strategic Plan Development Overview

• Strategic Planning Presentation

• Additional documents will be posted here once available

The Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee will meet September 12, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore (550 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21202). 

The purpose of the meeting is to begin to take the next steps in utilizing the information from the approved Risk Assessment and identify scientific and management priorities, as outlined in the EAFM guidance document. Specifically, the Committee will consider different ways to evaluate the Risk Assessment to help identify and determine priorities (i.e. high risk interactions) and discuss the next steps and timelines to conduct the various analyses to tie in with various Council initiatives.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• Updated Council Risk Assessment (August 17, 2018)
• Discussion Document: Using the Mid-Atlantic EAFM Risk Assessment: Possible Next Steps

The Ecosystem and Ocean Planning (EOP) Committee of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will meet on Monday, September 10, 2018, from 10:00 A.M. through 12:00 P.M. The meeting will take place over webinar with a telephone-only connection option (webinar connection information is posted below).

The purpose of the meeting is for the EOP Committee to review the NOAA Fisheries draft Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) Implementation Plan for the Northeast Region. The draft plans are currently available for public comment until September 30, 2018. Given the scope and potential role the draft plan may have with the Council’s Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) guidance document, the Committee will consider, if appropriate, comments specific to the draft Northeast Regional plan.

Webinar Information

Webinar link: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/sept10eopwebinar/ 
To participate, the audio connection is by telephone only. Telephone instructions are provided upon connecting, or you can call direct: 800-832-0736, Rm: *5939710#.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda
• Draft Northeast Regional EBFM Implementation Plan
• Draft MAFMC staff comments on the draft Northeast Regional EBFM Implementation Plan
• Presentation: DRAFT Northeast Regional Implementation Plan of the Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management Roadmap

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Ecosystem and Ocean Planning Committee will meet on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn BWI Airport, 1516 Aero Drive, Linthicum, Maryland, 21090; telephone: (410)-691-0500.

The purpose of the meeting is to review and approve the EAFM based risk assessment for the Mid-Atlantic fishery resources which has been under development since early 2017.  The Committee will review the final list of elements and the evaluation of risk posed by each element as recommended by Council staff.  The Committee will make recommendations to the full Council for consideration at its December meeting in Annapolis, MD.

A listen-only webinar will be available for this meeting. Webinar attendees will be able to listen to meeting discussion but will not be able to participate in any way. 

• Webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/dec17eop/ (listen-only audio available through webinar) 

Meeting Materials 

• Agenda
• DRAFT Mid-Atlantic EAFM Risk Assessment Documentation
• DRAFT Mid-Atlantic EAFM Risk Assessment Summary