The Council’s River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Committee and Advisory Panel will meet jointly by webinar on Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Agenda: Review RH/S Update, develop recommendations for the RH/S cap for the mackerel fishery, take public comment.

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

Webinar Connection

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Meeting Materials

• 2023 RH/S Update

• Indices Appendix

  • Compendium (NMFS, NEAMAP, MA, CT, NJ, and DE indices)

  • VIMS 2022 Field Season VA Alosines Report

  • NC Indices Report

• Kerry Reid, Jennifer A. Hoey, Benjamin I. Gahagan, Bradley P. Schondelmeier, Daniel J. Hasselman, Alison A. Bowden, Michael P. Armstrong, John Carlos Garza, and Eric P. Palkovacs. 2022. Spatial and temporal genetic stock composition of river herring bycatch in southern New England Atlantic herring and mackerel fisheries. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 80(2): 360-374.

• K.E. Roberts, J.E.F. Stepanuk, H. Kim, L.H. Thorne, C. Chong-Montenegro, J.A. Nye. Developing a subseasonal ecological forecast to reduce fisheries bycatch in the Northeast U.S., Progress in Oceanography, Volume 213, 2023, 103021, ISSN 0079-6611

• Atlantic Coast River Herring Collaborative Forum (links to 2023 Conservation Plan)

The Council’s Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Advisory Panel (AP) and River Herring and Shad (RH/S) AP will meet jointly by webinar on Friday, May 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is for the APs to provide input on several topics for the June Council meeting including:

• Mackerel Rebuilding (final action)

• RH/S Cap (action with mackerel)

• RH/S spatial revenue analyses (review)

Agenda - Mackerel Rebuilding and 2023 Specifications

• Review Public Comments

• Review updated analyses and potential alternative modifications

• AP Input

Agenda - RH/S Spatial Analyses

• Review Spatial Analyses

• AP Input

Meeting Materials - Mackerel Rebuilding and 2023 Specifications

• Public Hearing Document and related materials

• Written Comments

• Hearings Summaries (partial, one in progress)

Meeting Materials - River Herring and Shad (RH/S)

• RH/S White Papers

• River Herring Maps

• RH/S Seasonal Analyses

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

Webinar Details

• Click Here to Join the Meeting (If prompted, enter Meeting number 2333 558 5881, Meeting password: sPJXJQap588)

• To join by phone: 1-415-655-0001, Access Code: 2333 558 5881

The Atlantic Coast River Herring Collaborative Forum (River Herring Forum) is an information exchange venue to bring together river herring practitioners, managers, researchers, and community groups from across the species range. This forum is co-chaired by NOAA Fisheries and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries (ASMFC) staff. The purpose of the River Herring Forum is to promote the conservation of the species, support information exchange, and encourage collaboration.

The River Herring Forum meets biannually each spring and fall. For 2022, the meeting dates are:

• April 4, 2022, 1 PM - 4 PM ET. Register for the meeting here.

• October 24, 2022, 1 PM - 4 PM ET.

The River Herring Forum meets virtually. This allows greater participation from across the species range. Agendas and conferencing details will be provided ahead of each meeting.

More Information

• Atlantic Coast River Herring Collaborative Forum

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Advisory Panel (AP) via webinar on Monday February 8, 2021 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is gather AP input on several RH/S white papers being developed by Council staff.

Briefing Materials: https://www.mafmc.org/s/Tab03_RHS-White-Papers_2021-02.pdf

Webinar Link: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/rhs2021ap/

The Atlantic Coast River Herring Collaborative Forum (formerly the river herring TEWG) will meet via webinar on November 5, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss river herring related initiatives and actions and to receive updates on River Herring Forum-related initiatives.

• Agenda

Webinar registration: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1450409079751592976

The Mid-Atlantic Council’s Advisory Panels (APs) will meet jointly on Friday, June 5 from 9:30 to 11:00 am. The purpose of this meeting is for AP members to develop recommendations on how the fisheries they participate in could be displayed on the Mid-Atlantic Data Portal and the Northeast Ocean Data Portal. The data portals are used for a number of purposes, including planning, analysis, and outreach related to fisheries management, aquaculture, dredging, offshore energy development, and research. AP input provided during this webinar will support a joint project between the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO), and the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) to update and improve the data portals. Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council staff will host this meeting and NROC, MARCO, and RODA staff will present and facilitate the discussion.

Webinar Information

The webinar can be accessed at: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/ap5june2020/. Meeting audio can be accessed by following the prompts which appear after logging in to the webinar, or via telephone by dialing 1-800-832-0736 and entering room number 5068871. See the MAFMC Webinar Guide for additional information about connecting to and participating in webinars.

Meeting Materials

• Agenda

• Fishing data fact sheets

• Presentation

If you have any questions about this meeting, please contact Julia Beaty (jbeaty@mafmc.org; 302-526-5250).

The River Herring and Shad Committee will meet via webinar on Tuesday, July 30, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. The purposes of the meeting are to review the 2019 RH/S Progress Update, review recent related staff and Monitoring Committee work, review Advisory Panel input, and consider making recommendations to the Council regarding possible modifications to the 2020 RH/S Cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery.

The meeting will be held via webinar with a telephone-only audio connection: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/rhs-com-2019/. Telephone instructions are provided upon connecting, or the public can call direct: 800-832-0736, Rm: *7833942#.

Meeting Materials

Staff Recommendation Memo

July 2019 RH/S AP Summary

RH/S Update Memo (Including Monitoring Committee Input)

Staff Memo to Monitoring Committee

May 2019 RH/S AP Summary

2019 MSB Fishery Performance Report (see Mackerel Section pages 12-14)

The Council’s River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Advisory Panel will meet via webinar on Monday, July 29, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The purposes of the meeting are to review the 2019 RH/S Progress Update, review recent related staff and Monitoring Committee work, and provide input regarding possible modifications to the 2020 RH/S Cap for the Atlantic mackerel fishery.

The meeting will be held via webinar with a telephone-only audio connection: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/rhs-ap-2019/.  Telephone instructions are provided upon connecting, or the public can call direct: 800-832-0736, Rm: *7833942#.

Meeting Materials

Staff Recommendation Memo

RH/S Update Memo (Including Monitoring Committee Input)

Staff Memo to Monitoring Committee

May 2019 RH/S AP Summary

2019 MSB Fishery Performance Report (see Mackerel Section pages 12-14)

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 River Herring Technical Expert Working Group's Fisheries Subgroup will meet via webinar on Thursday, August 30, from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m., to review updates to Data Gaps and Conservation Ideas Summary and discuss identification of specific threats and needed conservation actions. Webinar details will be posted on this page prior to the meeting.

Webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/tewg-fishery-2018/    Telephone instructions are provided upon connecting, or you can call direct: (800) 832–0736, Rm: *7833942#   **The only way to talk is if you call in from a phone**

Visit the Fisheries Subgroup page for general information about the group and documents from previous meetings.

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 River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Advisory Panel will meet on Friday, April 7 at 1:00 p.m. The RH/S Committee is developing metrics for tracking RH/S progress at the Council, and there are plans to review draft criteria at the April Council meeting.  This meeting would seek AP input on those draft criteria (in development).  Draft criteria can be found in the April 2017 Council Meeting Briefing Book:

http://www.mafmc.org/s/Tab01_2017-04_RHS.pdf

Webinar connection information:

http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/rhs-ap-2017/

Audio instructions will pop up or you can call direct: 800-832-0736, Rm: *7833942#. 

The River Herring Technical Expert Working Group (TEWG) will meet via conference call and webinar on March 27, 2017, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Call-In Number: 1-888-394-8197
Passcode: 499811
Webinar: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4810832144170002946

Meeting Purposes:

• Discuss status of river herring conservation planning initiative.
• Receive updates on TEWG-related initiatives.
• Provide updates on TEWG subgroups and committee efforts.

Draft Agenda

The Council's River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Committee will meet on Monday, August 15, 2016 from 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held via webinar (http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/rh-s-com-aug15-2016/) with a telephone audio connection (provided when connecting).

In October 2016 the Council will consider whether to develop an Amendment that could add several species of river herrings and shads as Council-managed species.  This RH/S Committee meeting will review a white paper and draft decision document related to the need for Council management of blueback herring, alewife, American shad, and hickory shad.  Public comments will also be taken. 

Meeting Materials

• River Herring and Shad Staff White Paper - 2016 Update
• River Herring and Shad 2016 Draft Decision Document
• Webinar Recording

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

Questions? Contact Jason Didden - (302) 526-5254/jdidden@mafmc.org

The Council’s Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Advisory Panel and River Herring and Shad Advisory Panel will meet jointly on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.  The meeting will be held via webinar with a telephone-only connection option (you must call in via telephone to participate).

Webinar: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/joint_msbrhs_ap/

The purpose of this meeting is to gather input on the Industry-Funded Monitoring Omnibus Amendment, with a particular focus on options for additional coverage for the Atlantic mackerel fishery.  The Council plans to approve preliminary preferred alternatives at its April 2016 meeting, followed by public hearings in May 2016, and final action in June 2016.  See http://www.mafmc.org/actions/observer-funding-omnibus for details on the Amendment.

This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities.  Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aid should be directed to M. Jan Saunders, (302) 526-5251, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date.

The Council's River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Committee met via webinar on Monday, November 23, 2015 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to review recent developments in RH/S conservation and to consider potential RH/S activities for 2016.

Summary: http://www.mafmc.org/s/23_RHS-Com-Summary.pdf
Webinar Recording: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/p857jheujab/ 

Agenda

1. Introductions
2. Presentation on TEWG Results (D. Borggaard - NMFS GARFO)
    -Draft TEWG Fisheries Group Update
    -Presentation
3. RH/S-related lawsuits update (K. Collins - NOAA GC)
4. Update on SMAST & RH/S catch information (D. Bethoney - SMAST)
   -Presentation
5. Overview of RH genetics research/findings (D. Hasselman)
   -See summary in Draft TEWG Fisheries Group Update (above, page 5)
6. Presentation on environmental data and river herring bycatch (S. Turner - MA-DMF)
   -Article Abstract/Excerpts
   -Presentation
7. Current RH/S caps and Mid-Atlantic/New England alignment issues (J. Didden)
   -Alignment Memo
   -2015 vs 2016 MAFMC Mackerel RH/S Cap
   -2015 vs 2016 NEFMC Atl. Herring RH/S Cap
   -RH/S Cap Performance
   -Industry Funded Monitoring (IFM) Omnibus Amendment Update

8. Committee consideration of other potential RH/S actions for MAFMC (including potential revisiting of time/area "hotspot" closures)
   -Public Comment Opportunity

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

The Council's River Herring and Shad (RH/S) advisory panel will meet via webinar on Friday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m.

Webinar Link: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/rhsap2015/

The objectives of this meeting are to develop recommendations for the 2016– 18 RH/S Cap on the Atlantic mackerel fishery and to provide general input on RH/S conservation.  The Council will utilize the input from the RH/S AP at the June 2015 Council meeting when setting the 2016–18 RH/S Cap on the Atlantic mackerel fishery and discussing RH/S conservation. There will also be time for public questions and comments.

The meeting will be held via webinar, but anyone can also attend at the Council office address.  Please call the Council at least 24 hours in advance if you wish to attend at the Council office.

Documents

• 2015 RHS Cap Specifications Environmental Assessment
• October 2014 Briefing Materials - Includes RHS Committee (not AP) Terms of Reference and list of topics to be addressed as part of the RHS Update in June 
• 2014 and 2015 RHS Cap Performance
• Relevant presentations from April 2015 Council Meeting:
  • Industry Funded Monitoring Amendment
  • River Herring TEWG Update, Diane Borggaard
  • Shad Fishery Presentation, John Punola

The Council's River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Advisory Panel (AP) will meet via webinar on Friday, June 6, at 1:30 p.m. to develop recommendations for the 2015 RH/S Cap on the Atlantic mackerel fishery and provide general input on RH/S conservation.  The Council will utilize the input of the RH/S AP at the June 2014 Council meeting when setting the 2015 RH/S Cap on the Atlantic mackerel fishery.  

Webinar link: http://mafmc.adobeconnect.com/rhsap/ 

There will be time during the meeting for public questions and comments.  Although the meeting will be held via webinar, anyone can attend at the Council office address (see below).  Please call the Council in advance if you wish to attend at the Council office. 

Address: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; telephone: (302) 674-2331.  

The first Technical Working Group Meeting (TEWG) for river herring is scheduled for March 27th from 1-4pm.

NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will be convening the River Herring Technical Expert Working Group on March 27th from 1-4pm to discuss the working group structure and river herring conservation planning.  This meeting will be open to the public, and there will be an opportunity for the public to provide input at a specified time on the agenda.  The webinar and call-in information for this meeting can be found below.  Click here to view the draft agenda and additional information for this meeting and future meetings.   Please contact Marin Hawk (mhawk@asmfc.org) or Diane Borggaard (diane.borggaard@noaa.gov) with any questions.

Note: To accommodate high interest in this meeting, we have added more phone lines and thus had to change our webinar information. See below for updated webinar information.  Phone number is unchanged from previous announcement.

Webinar Information

To participate in the webinar, please register in advance of the meeting

• Call-In Number: 1-888-394-8197 
• Passcode: 815277 
• Webinar: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/303815102  

To view the agenda and other workshop related information, please click here.

Contact

For more information on the River Herring TEWG, please contact:

• Diane Borggaard at diane.borggaard@noaa.gov or 978-282-8453
• Marin Hawk at mhawk@asmfc.org or 703-842-0740