ASMFC Spring Meeting Agenda Update

[broken bobber]

The following is a news release from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

Please Note: The preliminary agenda for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's 2010 Spring Meeting has been substantially revised from the one that was originally released on March 15th. Specifically, the Horseshoe Crab Management Board will now be on May 4th; the Weakfish Management Board will be on May 4th; the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board will be on May 5th; the Spiny Dogfish & Coastal Sharks Management Board will be on May 6th; and the American Eel Management Board will be on May 6th.

The times for the American Lobster Board, Atlantic Herring Section, South Atlantic Board, and ACCSP Coordinating Council have shifted slightly. The times/dates for the ISFMP Policy, Executive Committee, and Business Session have also been changed.

Please check below for all changes. The agenda reflects the current estimate of time required for scheduled Board meetings. The Commission may adjust this agenda in accordance with the actual duration of Board meetings. Interested parties should anticipate Boards starting earlier or later than indicated herein.

ASMFC Spring Meeting
May 3 - 6, 2010

Crowne Plaza Hotel Old Town
901 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia
(703) 683-6000

Revised Preliminary Schedule

May 3 , 2010
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM American Lobster Management Board

3:15 PM - 5:45 PM Atlantic Herring Section


May 4 , 2010
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Law Enforcement Committee

9:45 AM - 11:45 AM Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Weakfish Management Board

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Management and Science Committee

2:15 PM - 4:15 PM Horseshoe Crab Management Board

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Business Session

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Annual Awards of Excellence Reception


May 5, 2010
8:30 AM - 11:00 AM Atlantic Menhaden Management Board

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Executive Committee

1:15 PM - 3:15 PM South Atlantic State/Federal Fisheries Management Board

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Business Session

4:45 PM - 6:00 PM Interstate Fisheries Management Program (ISFMP) Policy Board


May 6, 2010
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Business Session (continued)

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM American Eel Management Board

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Spiny Dogfish & Coastal Sharks Management Board

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM ISFMP Policy Board (continued)

12:15 PM - 12:45 PM Business Session (continued)

1:15 PM - 3:15 PM Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program Coordinating Council

[fishbox]

So what does this mean? Does this mean we need to wait until May 4th to even hear when Seabass will open?

[frugalfisherman]

Inshore seabass is open now. If the water warms and they come in for the end of april you can keep them.

[Last Call]

The new shark regs should be interesting.

[fishbox]

Inshore seabass is open now. If the water warms and they come in for the end of april you can keep them.


I was referring more to offshore. I believe the close was 180 days from October 5th, no? So does that open early april, or do we have to wait until this meeting for it to be reopened?

Also, are you certain that inshore seabass is open? I mean that regs that I saw show a tentative opening of May 22nd. If you go to the state of NJ DEP webiste, they show the season as May 22nd to Sept. 12th. Doesn't that seem to imply that its closed inshore of 3 miles before then? This is confusing.

[frugalfisherman]

I was referring more to offshore. I believe the close was 180 days from October 5th, no? So does that open early april, or do we have to wait until this meeting for it to be reopened?

Also, are you certain that inshore seabass is open? I mean that regs that I saw show a tentative opening of May 22nd. If you go to the state of NJ DEP webiste, they show the season as May 22nd to Sept. 12th. Doesn't that seem to imply that its closed inshore of 3 miles before then? This is confusing.

From what I see the season so far is the same as last year 'til they vote. A slplit season is still up in the air.