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 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.

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.