ASMFC SPRING MEETING MAY 5-6 - The Fisherman

ASMFC SPRING MEETING MAY 5-6

Due to concerns regarding the coronavirus and following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) cancelled its in-person Spring Meeting.

Instead, a number of boards will be meeting via webinar to either take required actions to allow for the fishery to be prosecuted now and into next year or take non-decisional actions that allow for the continued development of draft management documents.

According to the ASMFC, several actions are expected via roll call vote during the meeting. The Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program Coordinating Council will consider approval of its Funding Decision Document and request for proposals; the Atlantic Menhaden and Atlantic Striped Bass Management Boards will be informational though the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board may provide feedback on next steps; the Bluefish and Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Boards will be meeting jointly with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to review public comment on two scoping/public information documents, and provide further direction on the development of the respective Draft Amendments.

On Wednesday, May 6, a joint meeting of the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and ASMFC will be held online in webinar form from 10 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. The in-person meeting previously scheduled for May 7 was cancelled due to concerns regarding COVID-19.

For details and webinar access go to ASMFC.org or directly to www.asmfc.org/home/2020-spring-meeting-webinar.

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