The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is requesting public comments on a draft amendment to modify the species separation requirements in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. Comments may be submitted at any of three public hearings to be held on May 9, 14, and 16. Written comments will also be accepted through May 30, 2024.

This action is intended to address the increased frequency of mixed catches in these fisheries, an issue raised by the clam fishing industry. Current regulations do not allow for surfclam and ocean quahog to be landed on the same trip or placed in the same cages. The mixing of catches has created challenges related to catch monitoring, allocation tracking, and enforcement. Industry has also reported that the increasing frequency of mixed catches will impact onboard fisheries operations, creating logistical and economic challenges in the long-term that need to be addressed.

The Public Hearing Document describes a range of management approaches (“alternatives”) that could address this issue and provides a summary of associated impacts. At the June 2024 Council Meeting, the Council will review public input and recommend an alternative to NOAA Fisheries for review and rulemaking.

Public Hearings

Comments may be submitted at any of the following public hearings:

1. Thursday, May 9, 2024. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Webinar.

2. Tuesday, May 14, 2024. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport, 9000 Bartram Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153. 215-365-4500.

3. Thursday, May 16, 2024. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hyatt Place Boston/Braintree, 50 Forbes Rd, Braintree, MA 02184 781-848-0600.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted by any of the methods listed below. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on May 30, 2024.

• Email to: jcoakley@mafmc.org (use subject “SCOQ Species Separation”)

• Online at: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/scoq-species-separation  

• 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 “SCOQ Species Separation.”

For more information, contact Jessica Coakley (jcoakley@mafmc.org, 302-526-5252) or visit https://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-species-separation.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is requesting public comments on a draft amendment to modify the species separation requirements in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. Comments may be submitted at any of three public hearings to be held on May 9, 14, and 16. Written comments will also be accepted through May 30, 2024.

This action is intended to address the increased frequency of mixed catches in these fisheries, an issue raised by the clam fishing industry. Current regulations do not allow for surfclam and ocean quahog to be landed on the same trip or placed in the same cages. The mixing of catches has created challenges related to catch monitoring, allocation tracking, and enforcement. Industry has also reported that the increasing frequency of mixed catches will impact onboard fisheries operations, creating logistical and economic challenges in the long-term that need to be addressed.

The Public Hearing Document describes a range of management approaches (“alternatives”) that could address this issue and provides a summary of associated impacts.. At the June 2024 Council Meeting, the Council will review public input and recommend an alternative to NOAA Fisheries for review and rulemaking.

Public Hearings

Comments may be submitted at any of the following public hearings:

1. Thursday, May 9, 2024. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Webinar.

2. Tuesday, May 14, 2024. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport, 9000 Bartram Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153. 215-365-4500.

3. Thursday, May 16, 2024. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hyatt Place Boston/Braintree, 50 Forbes Rd, Braintree, MA 02184 781-848-0600.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted by any of the methods listed below. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on May 30, 2024.

• Email to: jcoakley@mafmc.org (use subject “SCOQ Species Separation”)

• Online at: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/scoq-species-separation  

• 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 “SCOQ Species Separation.”

For more information, contact Jessica Coakley (jcoakley@mafmc.org, 302-526-5252) or visit https://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-species-separation.

Webinar Connection Details

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

• Click here to join the meeting - If prompted, enter Meeting Number (access code): 2336 086 1589; Password: 2024May9_SCOQ

• Join by phone: +1-415-655-0001 (US Toll)

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is requesting public comments on a draft amendment to modify the species separation requirements in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. Comments may be submitted at any of three public hearings to be held on May 9, 14, and 16. Written comments will also be accepted through May 30, 2024.

This action is intended to address the increased frequency of mixed catches in these fisheries, an issue raised by the clam fishing industry. Current regulations do not allow for surfclam and ocean quahog to be landed on the same trip or placed in the same cages. The mixing of catches has created challenges related to catch monitoring, allocation tracking, and enforcement. Industry has also reported that the increasing frequency of mixed catches will impact onboard fisheries operations, creating logistical and economic challenges in the long-term that need to be addressed.

The Public Hearing Document describes a range of management approaches (“alternatives”) that could address this issue and provides a summary of associated impacts. At the June 2024 Council Meeting, the Council will review public input and recommend an alternative to NOAA Fisheries for review and rulemaking.

Public Hearings

Comments may be submitted at any of the following public hearings:

1. Thursday, May 9, 2024. 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Webinar (see connection details at top of page).

2. Tuesday, May 14, 2024. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport, 9000 Bartram Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153. 215-365-4500.

3. Thursday, May 16, 2024. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hyatt Place Boston/Braintree, 50 Forbes Rd, Braintree, MA 02184 781-848-0600.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted by any of the methods listed below. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on May 30, 2024.

• Email to: jcoakley@mafmc.org (use subject “SCOQ Species Separation”)

• Online at: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/scoq-species-separation  

• 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 “SCOQ Species Separation.”

For more information, contact Jessica Coakley (jcoakley@mafmc.org, 302-526-5252) or visit https://www.mafmc.org/actions/scoq-species-separation.

The Council’s Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Species Separation Requirements Amendment FMAT will meet Wednesday, April 12, 2023. The purpose of this meeting is for the FMAT to continue its work to develop additional alternatives for possible inclusion in the Species Separation Requirements Amendment.

The meeting will be held in-person in Massachusetts, with a webinar connection option. Public in-person attendance at this facility is contingent on COVID CDC Risk Status. Public can attend in-person ONLY if the CDC COVID-19 Community Risk Level is LOW, otherwise public will need to attend via webinar. Specific information on the FMAT meeting location to attend in-person, or connection details for the webinar may be obtained by contacting Council staff prior to the meeting.

Contacts:

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

Jose Montanez- jmontanez@mafmc.org; 302-526-5258

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 Council’s Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Advisory Panel and Species Separation Requirements Amendment Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. via webinar.

The purpose of this meeting is for the Advisory Panel to provide input on the FMAT’s draft action plan for work on the Species Separation Requirement Amendment in 2023. In addition, the FMAT will gather input from the Advisory Panel on additional types of solutions/approaches that could be considered for the amendment.

Materials

• Agenda

• Action Plan

• Industry Comments

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the webinar. If prompted, enter Meeting Number: 2344 936 6246; Password: SCOQAmend2023. 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: 2344 936 6246. 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.

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 Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is requesting public comments on a draft amendment to modify the species separation requirements in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. Comments may be submitted at any of three public hearings to be held on November 10, 14, and 17. Written comments will also be accepted through November 23.

• Public Hearing Document

• Public Hearing Presentation

Public Hearings

Comments may be submitted at any of the following public hearings:

1. Thursday, November 10, 2022. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport. 9000 Bartram Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153. 215-365-4500.

2. Canceled Monday, November 14, 2022. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hampton Inn. 53 Old Bedford Road, Westport, MA 02790. 508-675-8500.

3. Thursday, November 17, 2022. 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Webinar. Register here.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted by any of the methods listed below. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

• Email to: jcoakley@mafmc.org (use subject “SCOQ Species Separation”)

• Online at: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/scoq-species-separation 

• 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 " SCOQ Species Separation.”

PLEASE NOTE: This hearing has been cancelled due to staff and hearing officer travel delays. Anyone planning to attend this hearing is strongly encouraged to attend the public hearing webinar to be held on Thursday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) is requesting public comments on a draft amendment to modify the species separation requirements in the Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog fisheries. Comments may be submitted at any of three public hearings to be held on November 10, 14, and 17. Written comments will also be accepted through November 23.

• Public Hearing Document

• Public Hearing Presentation

Public Hearings

Comments may be submitted at any of the following public hearings:

1. Thursday, November 10, 2022. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport. 9000 Bartram Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153. 215-365-4500.

2. Monday, November 14, 2022. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Hampton Inn. 53 Old Bedford Road, Westport, MA 02790. 508-675-8500.

3. Thursday, November 17, 2022. 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Webinar. Register here.

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted by any of the methods listed below. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

• Email to: jcoakley@mafmc.org (use subject “SCOQ Species Separation”)

• Online at: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/scoq-species-separation 

• 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 " SCOQ Species Separation.”