The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Monkfish Committee will meet jointly with NEFMC’s Skate Committee on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in South Kingston, RI.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, 302-526-5254; jdidden@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection and Meeting Materials

• Meeting details are available on the New England Council’s meeting page

The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Monkfish Advisory Panel will meet jointly with NEFMC’s Skate Advisory Panel on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in South Kingston, RI.

Staff Contact: Jason Didden, 302-526-5254; jdidden@mafmc.org

Webinar Connection and Meeting Materials

• Meeting details are available on the New England Council’s meeting page

The Monkfish Plan Development Team (PDT) will meet via webinar on Thursday, February 13, 2025 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Additional meeting information can be found on the NEFMC website: https://www.nefmc.org/calendar/feb-13-2025-monkfish-plan-development-team-webinar

Webinar Connection

• See Zoom connection information in the “Meeting Notice” posted at the above link

The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance Monkfish RSA project participants will hold a virtual industry workshop on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Connection Details:

Zoom Meeting ID: 85712894433

Passcode: 686675

Click here for an event flyer with more information.

The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance Monkfish RSA project participants will hold an in-person industry workshop on Monday, October 21, 2024 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at 55 State Street, Narragansett, RI.

Click here for an event flyer with more information.

The Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Committees will meet jointly via webinar on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 - at 9am.

The Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Committees will meet to develop recommendations on potential measures to reduce Atlantic sturgeon bycatch.

Meeting materials and connection information will be available at:

https://www.nefmc.org/calendar/mar-13-2023-joint-monkfish-and-dogfish-committee-webinar

Additional information can be found on the Atlantic sturgeon current issues page: https://www.mafmc.org/actions/sturgeon-bycatch-framework 

MAFMC Contact: Karson Cisneros, KCisneros@mafmc.org, 302-526- 5259

NEFMC Contacts: Jenny Couture, jcouture@nefmc.org, (978) 465-0492 (ext. 111) or Robin Frede, rfrede@nefmc.org, (978) 465-0492 (ext. 124)

The Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Advisory Panels will meet jointly via webinar on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m..

The Advisory Panels will meet jointly to provide input on potential measures to reduce Atlantic sturgeon bycatch.

MAFMC Contact: Jason Didden - jdidden@mafmc.org; 302-526-5254

NEFMC Contacts: Jenny Couture jcouture@nefmc.org (978) 465-0492 (ext. 111) or Robin Frede – rfrede@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492 (ext. 124)

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar

  Meeting number (access code): 2349 782 0807  Password if needed: NZaAH9kKc37

• Join by phone +1-415-655-0001 US Toll - Tap to join from a mobile device:

  +1-415-655-0001,,23497820807## US Toll

   

Meeting Materials

1. Meeting overview memo from NEFMC and MAFMC staff

2. Agenda

3. Presentation, Council Staff

4. Draft Framework Adjustment, February 27, 2024

5. Sturgeon Bycatch FMAT/PDT DRAFT meeting summary, February 22, 2024 (with recommendations)

6. Sturgeon Risk Assessment (Closures) Final Report, February 20, 2024

7. BREP Proposal Narrative low-profile gear

The joint FMAT/PDT formed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) will meet in the afternoon of Thursday, February 22, 2024 via webinar to discuss analyses for the joint sturgeon action. This work will help inform the Joint AP meeting discussion (March 5th) and the Joint Cte meeting discussion (March 13th) and final action is expected by both Councils in April.

Briefing materials will be posted here later if appropriate.

Webinar meeting link:

https://midatlanticfisheriesmc.webex.com/midatlanticfisheriesmc/j.php?MTID=m8a549093b3c988daf6e17ea299420edc

Meeting number: 2338 314 6476 Meeting password (if needed): avNfZ38mVp7

Join by phone +1-415-655-0001 US Toll Access code: 23383146476

MAFMC Contact: Jason Didden - jdidden@mafmc.org; 302-526-5254

NEFMC Contact: Jenny Couture - jcouture@nefmc.org or Robin Frede – rfrede@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. 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.

The joint FMAT/PDT formed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) will meet in the afternoon of Wednesday, December 20, 2023 via webinar. The meeting was not open to the public because the FMAT/PDT was using confidential observer sturgeon data.

MEETING SUMMARY

The MAFMC and NEFMC have initiated a joint framework action to address Atlantic sturgeon bycatch in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries. NMFS has suggested striving for more bycatch reduction than originally planned, due to recent high bycatch estimates.

MAFMC Contact: Jason Didden - jdidden@mafmc.org; 302-526-5254

NEFMC Contact: Jenny Couture - jcouture@nefmc.org or Robin Frede – rfrede@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. 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.

The Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Committees will meet jointly via webinar on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Meeting materials and webinar details will be posted prior to the meeting.

MAFMC Contact: Karson Cisneros - kcisneros@mafmc.org; 302-526-5259

NEFMC Contact: Robin Frede – rfrede@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492 (ext. 124)

Jenny Couture - jcouture@nefmc.org, 978-465-0492 (ext. 111)

Webinar Connection

Webex Meeting link: https://midatlanticfisheriesmc.webex.com/midatlanticfisheriesmc/j.php?MTID=m0f144bc4621d14c4d6402a7a504e1ba9

 (If prompted) Meeting number: 2334 292 9312; Meeting password: Cpnwy2drM73

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Staff Memo to the Committee

• FMAT/PDT Meeting Summary

• NMFS Data Loggers Summary

• Supplemental Information

  • NMFS Sturgeon Bycatch Estimates through 2021

  • Final Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch

The joint FMAT/PDT formed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) will meet on Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. via webinar.

The MAFMC and NEFMC have initiated a joint framework action to address Atlantic sturgeon bycatch in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries. The joint FMAT/PDT will meet to discuss confidential data issues, the new Biological Opinion, and the range of alternatives in the action.

MAFMC Contact: Karson Cisneros - kcisneros@mafmc.org; 302-526-5259

NEFMC Contact: Robin Frede – rfrede@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492 (ext. 124)

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. 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.

Visit the NEFMC meeting page for details.

Visit the NEFMC meeting page for details.

Visit the NEFMC meeting page for details.

The Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Committees will meet jointly via webinar on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Committee’s will meet to discuss:

• Recommendations from the Sturgeon Bycatch Fishery Management Action Team/Plan Development Team and the Joint Monkfish and Dogfish Advisory Panel;

• Potential measures to reduce bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries, developed from the recommendations in NOAA’s Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch in Federal Large-Mesh Gillnet Fisheries;

• The range of alternatives recommended to the Councils (New England and Mid-Atlantic) to be considered for reducing bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries; and

• Other business, as necessary.

If you would like written comments to be considered at these meetings, they must be received at the NEFMC office no later than 8 a.m. on Monday, May 15, 2023. Please address them to Council Chair Eric Reid or Executive Director Tom Nies. Email submissions should be sent to comments@nefmc.org.

Meeting materials and webinar details are posted on the NEFMC meeting page here: https://www.nefmc.org/calendar/may-17-2023-joint-monkfish-and-spiny-dogfish-committee-webinar

MAFMC Contact: Karson Cisneros - kcisneros@mafmc.org; 302-526-5259

NEFMC Contact: Robin Frede – rfrede@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492 (ext. 124)

The Spiny Dogfish and Monkfish Advisory Panels will meet jointly via webinar on Tuesday, May 16th, 2023 from 93:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The Monkfish and Dogfish Advisory Panels will meet to discuss:

• Recommendations from the Sturgeon Bycatch Fishery Management Action Team/Plan Development Team;

• Potential measures to reduce bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries, developed from the recommendations in NOAA’s Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch in Federal Large-Mesh Gillnet Fisheries;

• The range of alternatives recommended to the Joint Monkfish and Dogfish Committee to be considered for reducing bycatch of Atlantic sturgeon in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries; and

• Other business, as necessary.

Meeting materials and webinar details are posted on the NEFMC meeting page here: https://www.nefmc.org/calendar/may-16-2023-joint-monkfish-and-dogfish-advisory-panel-webinars

MAFMC Contact: Karson Cisneros - kcisneros@mafmc.org; 302-526-5259

NEFMC Contact: Robin Frede – rfrede@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492 (ext. 124)

The joint FMAT/PDT formed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) will meet on Friday, April 21, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. via webinar.

The MAFMC and NEFMC have initiated a joint framework action to address Atlantic sturgeon bycatch in the monkfish and spiny dogfish gillnet fisheries. The joint FMAT/PDT will meet to discuss:

• The Action Plan to Reduce Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch in Federal Large-Mesh Gillnet Fisheries (Action Plan) that was developed by the Atlantic Sturgeon Bycatch Working Group

• The application of the Action Plan recommendations to the jointly managed spiny dogfish and monkfish gillnet fisheries

• Potential alternatives and further data needs

• Other business, as necessary

MAFMC Contact: Karson Cisneros - kcisneros@mafmc.org; 302-526-5259

NEFMC Contact: Robin Frede – rfrede@nefmc.org; (978) 465-0492 (ext. 124)

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar. If prompted, enter meeting number: 2342 126 3653; Password: RsJcpFt3b35

• Phone Only Access: 1-415-655-0001; Access Code: 2342 126 3653

About FMAT Meetings

Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meetings are working meetings of the Council, NOAA Fisheries, and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission staff. Information on FMAT meeting locations for in-person meetings may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting. This information is not posted to the Council’s website. The date and time of FMAT meetings are generally posted to the calendar on the Council’s website, sometimes with very little notice. 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.

• Meeting Notice

Meeting Notice →

The Monkfish Plan Development Team will meet by webinar on February 28, 2022, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. This meeting will be hosted by the New England Fishery Management Council.

• Agenda and Meeting Details

This meeting will be broadcast online via GoToMeeting. Click the following link to join: https://meet.goto.com/120034365. After joining the meeting, you can choose to use your computer audio or your phone to hear and speak.

Call in information: Dial +1 (571) 317-3122 / Access Code: 120-034-365. *Please note that this is not a toll-free number. Phone-only attendees are NOT muted by default when joining. Please be sure to mute your phone upon. joining the call so that there will be no interference with the discussion.

The Monkfish Plan Development Team will meet August 23, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. See the meeting notice below for agenda and webinar connection details.

• Meeting Notice

The following bulletin was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center would like to inform you of the 2019 stock assessments. During these assessments we will use existing models and data sources to evaluate stock health. Our data come from a variety of sources, including recreational and commercial fishermen, fish dealers, fishery observers, and research surveys.

There will be several sets of assessments conducted this year, and the assessment process begins for Scup, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, and Monkfish on Monday May 20, 2019 with a panel review of scientific information and assessment plans (details below). After this plan review, the assessments will be conducted and later peer reviewed in 2019. 

What:  Assessment Oversight Panel (AOP) meeting for Monkfish, Scup, Bluefish, and Black Sea Bass.

When: May 20, 2019, 1-4 PM

Where:  166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA

Attending In Person: Go to the main building at 166 Water Street to sign in and receive your parking pass. Put the parking pass on your front dashboard with your contact information.

Attending Remotely: If you would like to participate in the meeting remotely, there will be a webinar and call in options.

To join the meeting remotely: https://noaast.adobeconnect.com/may2019aop/
Call In:  877-653-6612; Participant Code: 8116908

Questions?

Contact Michele Traver, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 508-525-7080

The New England Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of its Monkfish Committee on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia Airport. Additional details are available on the NEFMC website at http://www.nefmc.org/calendar/may-24-2017-monkfish-committee-meeting.

The New England Fishery Management Council will convene a meeting of its Monkfish Advisory Panel on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton Philadelphia Airport. Additional details are available on the NEFMC website at http://www.nefmc.org/calendar/may-23-2017-monkfish-advisory-panel-meeting.

The Monkfish PDT will hold a conference call to review the 2016 Operational Assessment report and develop recommendations to the SSC, including calculation of the Overfishing Limit (OFL) and Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) under existing reference point control rules. Also develop recommendations to the Monkfish Committee, as appropriate, regarding Annual Catch Targets (ACTs) and management measure options. The PDT will also discuss the Action Plan for the specifications package. 

Call In information:

Dial +1 (408) 650-3123 (Please note that this is not a toll-free number.) 
Access Code: 339-758-277  
**Please be sure to mute your phone upon joining the call so that there will be no interference with the team’s discussion.**

Online access:

This meeting will be broadcast online via GoToMeeting. Members of the public who call in will have listenonly access. The meeting will begin on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. EST. Click the following link to join https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/339758277. Use VoIP with a microphone and speakers for audio – a headset is recommended.

Click here for more information.

The Monkfish Assessment Oversight Panel will hold a call-in/webinar meeting on March 18, 2016, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (approximate end time).

Details and connection information are available at http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/saw/monkfish2016/index.html.