ATLANTIC STRIPED BASS MANAGEMENT BOARD (February 2, 2010)
Meeting Summary
The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board met to elect a Board vice-chair; review a report
from the Technical Committee, including presentations from three guest speakers on
mycobacteriosis; review the status of the 2010 Cooperative Winter Tagging Cruise; and discuss
the coastal commercial quotas for striped bass.
The Technical Committee (TC) Report responded to five tasks from the Management Board
regarding the juvenile abundance index (JAI) trigger, implications of mycobacteriosis on the
stock, implications of overestimating recreational catch on stock assessment results, the
availability and use of poaching estimates in stock assessment, and evidence for an offshore shift
in stock distribution. The TC Report is available on the Commission’s website
(
http://www.asmfc.org/strippedBassMM.htm); only partial details are included here.
The TC reported that it did not recommend using an abbreviated time series when evaluating the
JAI trigger, and, as per a proposed work plan, will complete a more thorough review of each JAI
and the definition of recruitment failure for the Management Board in May. Discussion and
action in response to the TC’s recommendation regarding a potential recreational catch
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overestimation was referred to the ISFMP Policy Board because of multispecies implications.
Based on the reported lack of adequate poaching estimates for inclusion in stock assessments, a
subcommittee of law enforcement and TC representatives was tasked with designing study
methods capable of producing assessment-grade poaching estimates. The Management Board
also recommended that the ISFMP Policy Board consider sending letters to the National Marine
Fisheries Service and the United States Coast Guard requesting greater fines and permit
sanctions for vessels that illegally harvest striped bass in federal waters.
The 2010 Cooperative Winter Tagging Cruise has been delayed due to vessel repairs and funding
complications. The issue of securing long-term funding was referred to the ISFMP Policy Board
because, in addition to tagging striped bass, the cruise collects important biological data on
multiple Commission-managed species.
The discussion of coastal commercial quotas resulted in a motion to initiate an addendum to
increase the coastal commercial quotas for striped bass; the motion passed. A draft addendum
will be prepared for the Board’s meeting in May. Before considering action to approve the draft
addendum for public comment, the Board will first hear the report from the TC on JAIs. For
more information, please contact Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at
(202) 289-6400 or
nmeserve@asmfc.org.
Motions
Move to nominate Tom O’Connell as Vice-Chair of the Striped Bass Management Board.
Motion made by Mr. Goldsborough and seconded by Mr. Augustine. Motion passes by consent.
Move to initiate an addendum to increase the coastwide commercial quota.
Motion made by Mr. Augustine and seconded by Mr. Johnson. Motion carries (Roll Call Vote: In
favor – NY, DE, MD, PRFC, VA, NC, USFWS, NMFS; Opposed – ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NJ,
PA; Abstention – DC).