Webinar Connection Details

This hearing will be conducted on the Webex webinar platform. No pre-registration is needed.

• Click Here to Join the Webinar (if prompted, enter Meeting number: 2349 677 3292; Meeting password: 8g86rASGcvr). 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 2349 677 3292.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public input on a proposed amendment to rebuild the Atlantic mackerel stock. Comments may be submitted at any of five public hearings to be held between April 25 and May 2, 2022 or via written comment through May 9, 2022.

A 2021 stock assessment found that Atlantic mackerel was overfished and that overfishing was occurring. Although a rebuilding plan was implemented in November 2019, the 2021 assessment found that the stock was unlikely to rebuild as anticipated. The stock size increased 180% between 2014 and 2019 but was still less than a quarter rebuilt. In response to this updated information, the Council is developing a new rebuilding plan.

The Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding 2.0 Amendment contains five rebuilding alternatives projected to rebuild the stock within 10 years. Potential management measures include commercial quotas, recreational bag/possession limits, a 3-inch commercial minimum mesh requirement, and permitting clarifications. The action would also set specifications and a river herring and shad cap for 2023. Please see the Overview of Rebuilding Alternatives and Public Hearing Document or watch the public hearing presentation for additional information about the management options considered in this amendment.

Public Hearing Schedule

1. New Bedford, MA – Monday April 25, 2022, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
   Fairfield Inn and Suites - 185 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford, MA 02740, (774) 634-2000

2. Plymouth, MA – Tuesday April 26, 2022, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
   Hilton Garden Inn - 4 Home Depot Drive, Plymouth, MA 02360, (508) 830-0200

3. Portsmouth, NH – Wednesday April 27, 2022, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
   Urban Forestry Center - 45 Elwyn Rd, Portsmouth, NH 03801, (603) 431-6774

4. Brunswick, ME – Thursday April 28, 2022, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
   Curtis Memorial Library (Morrell Meeting Room) - 23 Pleasant Street, Brunswick, ME 04011, (207) 725-5242

5. Webinar – Monday, May 2, 2022, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.

These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to Shelley Spedden, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted through May 9, 2022 by any of the following methods:

• Online: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/mackerel-rebuilding

• Email: jdidden@mafmc.org (use subject “Mackerel Rebuilding”)

• Mail to: Chris Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901. Mark the outside of the envelope " Mackerel Rebuilding.”

Resources

• Public Hearing Document

• Overview of Rebuilding Alternatives

• Public Hearing Presentation Video

For more information, contact Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org (also 302-526-5254) or visit the Atlantic Mackerel Rebuilding Amendment page.

The Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Committee and River Herring and Shad Committee will meet jointly via webinar on Wednesday, July 18, at 8:30 a.m. The Committees will discuss the mackerel rebuilding framework (including RH/S cap) and develop recommendations prior to the August Council Meeting when the Council is scheduled to take final action.

Webinar: https://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/msb-rh-s/.  Telephone instructions are provided upon connecting, or the public can call direct: (800) 832–0736, Rm: *7833942#

Briefing Materials:

• Framework Document
• May FMAT Summary
• June FMAT Summary
• RH/S Update
• SSC Report on Mackerel
• 7/17/18 MSB + RH/S Joint AP Meeting Summary

The Council will hold a joint webinar meeting of the Mackerel Rebuilding Framework FMAT and MSB Monitoring Committee on June 25, 2018 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to review analyses for mackerel rebuilding framework and squid/butterfish specifications.

Meeting Materials

• Summary of May 16 FMAT Meeting

For more information, contact Jason Didden, jdidden@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5254. 

The Mackerel Rebuilding Framework Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) will meet via webinar on Wednesday, May 16, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to review technical work done to date and plan additional analysis tasks.

For more information, contact Jason Didden, jdidden@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5254.

• Summary of May 16 FMAT Meeting

About FMAT Meetings

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.