If you have the time you should register for this free Live Stream of the August ASMFC Meeting

[george]

Live-Streaming

Board meeting proceedings will be broadcast daily via webinar beginning at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6th and continuing daily until the conclusion of the meeting (expected to be 5:00 p.m.) on Thursday, August 8th. The webinar will allow registrants to listen to board deliberations and view presentations and motions as they occur. No comments or questions will be accepted via the webinar. Should technical difficulties arise while streaming the broadcast the boards/sections will continue their deliberations without interruption. We will attempt to resume the broadcast as soon as possible. To register, please go tohttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3215930074468838914

There's a lot going on there, but if you're interested in the striped bass meeting, I've attached a pdf of their agenda

 

[Roccus7]

So they're going to blind side us on Thursday without our comments?? Nothing like bending over without knowing whether or not the KY they'll be proposing will be with or without sand!!!

And of course, these proposals will have "ecosystem wide" considerations...

 

[george]

Yes ecosystem-wide There will be a comment period before they take a final vote.

If you look at the agenda, it's actually very revealing:

• Consider Draft Addendum VI for Public Comment (M. Appelman) Action
• Consider Postponed Motions from April 2019 (M. Armstrong) Action
  Main Motion: Move to initiate an Amendment to the Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan to address the needed consideration for change on the issues of fishery goals and objectives, empirical/biological/spatial reference points, management triggers, rebuilding biomass, and area-specific management. Work on this Amendment will begin upon the completion of the previously discussed Addendum to the Management Plan.
  
  Motion to Amend: Move to amend to add reallocation of commercial quota between states.

I'm guessing they're seriously looking at a new Amendment which we already know will lower the bar. But is this the first time we will allow states to reallocate commercial quota between states? Does this mean if a state like CT isn't using their com quota that they can now transfer that quota?

 

[Roccus7]

Yes ecosystem-wide There will be a comment period before they take a final vote.

If you look at the agenda, it's actually very revealing:

• Consider Draft Addendum VI for Public Comment (M. Appelman) Action
• Consider Postponed Motions from April 2019 (M. Armstrong) Action
  Main Motion: Move to initiate an Amendment to the Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan to address the needed consideration for change on the issues of fishery goals and objectives, empirical/biological/spatial reference points, management triggers, rebuilding biomass, and area-specific management. Work on this Amendment will begin upon the completion of the previously discussed Addendum to the Management Plan.
  
  Motion to Amend: Move to amend to add reallocation of commercial quota between states.

I'm guessing they're seriously looking at a new Amendment which we already know will lower the bar. But is this the first time we will allow states to reallocate commercial quota between states? Does this mean if a state like CT isn't using their com quota that they can now transfer that quota?

Yes, but we have no idea what their Addendum will be. I thought they're raising the bar, but you seem to think otherwise. It will be an interesting cluster come Thursday...

As for commercial quota transfers, boy this is an opening of Pandora's Box. I'd be glad to see states like NJ having to give up their "bonus" set up because it's a non-commercial use of a commercial quota, but would rather have the quota just "go away" if any state isn't using it.

I'm looking short-term right now, because the Addendum won't be until at least 2022, probably much later because the ecosystem wide part will grossly expand the timeline.

 

[george]

So many people hate that NJ quota, while I think it's genius. Especially now that it looks like they're trying to find a way to get to these fish that anglers obviously want to be saved. This has the potential to undo a statewide referendum that CT anglers don't want those fish killed. NJ is already using the fish and my guess is they don't get reallocated.

 

[Roccus7]

Either way this is shaping up to be a Cluster Extraordinaire. My big fear is they get so locked up with the ins and outs of the Amendment, they turn around and kick the can down the road and go for an Addendum.

I can't wait for Maine and ASFMC to see my log at the end of this season. I have a feeling they'll need a mental 3-fingered salute (Ctrl-Alt-Del) when they see data for a 1000ish fish season because it doesn't fit any model they've ever comprehended. I just love screwing up data sets...

 

[george]

I think it’s clear that they’re seriously considering an addendum. We will see.

I can’t join online today so I’ll be picking your brain on it tomorrow.

 

[Roccus7]

I think it’s clear that they’re seriously considering an addendum. We will see.

I can’t join online today so I’ll be picking your brain on it tomorrow.

Sitting here screaming at the computer as now the political agendas are starting to rear their ugly heads...