Virginia Saltwater Fishing

The General Assembly has passed Senator Northam’s SB668 to exempt Virginia anglers from having to pay the $25 fee associated with the Federally-mandated National Saltwater Angler Registry.

SB668 has been amended to create a state-level angler identification system, similar to the Hunter Identification Program run by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

This solution will allow Virginia to maintain the recreational boat license, as well as the license exemptions for piers, rental boats, senior citizens, and private shoreline. The state program will be administered through the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and will be paid for through increases of up to $5 on individual licenses, and up to $10 on boat  licenses. Instead of paying the Federal government to register, anglers with a Virginia license will be registered automatically, and anglers exempted from Virginia licensing requirements will only have to call in and obtain an identification number free of charge.

“As is the norm with compromises, this one is not perfect,” said Northam. “However, it does accomplish the goals of exempting Virginians from Federal fees and fines, and also allows us to keep the boat license, as well as all existing license exemptions.”

The legislation was introduced in response to a VMRC study that provided options on how Virginia could comply with the Federal mandate.  The data collected from the new system will improve the quantity and quality of data available to manage
fisheries sustainably, and will help prevent the kind of stock collapses that have led to massive job losses, regional economic depressions, and serious environmental effects in the past.

The bill was reported from a conference committee and passed the Senate and House of Delegates. It will now go to Governor McDonnell for his signature.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Sharks Management Board (Board) approved a 15 million pound quota with a maximum possession limit of 3,000 pounds for the 2010/2011 fishing year (May 1 – April 30). Under Addendum II, the quota will be allocated with 58 percent to states from Maine through Connecticut, 26 percent to New York through Virginia, and 16 percent to North Carolina.

The 2009 Northeast Fisheries Science Center assessment update indicates that the spiny dogfish are not overfished and overfishing is not occurring. The 2009 spawning stock biomass is estimated to be 360 million pounds, which is 2.7 percent below the target biomass of 370 million pounds and well above the threshold of 184 million pounds. Total removals in 2008 were approximately 23.9 million pounds corresponding to an F estimate of 0.117, well below the overfishing threshold of F = 0.39 and essentially equivalent to Frebuild = 0.11. Among the sources of removals, U.S. commercial landings comprised 9.1 million pounds, Canadian commercial landings were 3.5 million pounds, and total (US and Canadian) dead discards were 10.9 million pounds, of which recreational dead discards were 228,000 pounds.

While the stock is considered rebuilt, the assessment update contains a number of caveats. These caveats include a size frequency of the female population that is concentrated between 75 and 95 cm with very few fish above 100 cm or below 70 cm; low numbers of juvenile male and female dogfish that imply that the population will fluctuate over time decreasing around 2017; a continued skewed sex ratio; and the use of assumptions about pup survivorship and selectivity of gear. After reviewing the assessment update, the Technical Committee recommended that the Board take a precautionary approach and set a quota based on Frebuild of 0.11 = 10.7 million pounds.

The Technical Committee recommended status quo possession limits at a maximum of 3,000 pounds, noting that under the 3,000 pound possession limit, target fishing mortality target rates have not been exceeded and fishermen have been able to harvest the entire quota. The Technical Committee urged that possession limits should be set at a level that minimizes discards. Discards are associated with both high and low possession limits.

The Board also approved a 33 fish possession limit for sharks in the large coastal sharks (LCS) species group (silky, tiger, blacktip, spinner, bull, lemon, nurse, scalloped hammerhead, great hammerhead, and smooth hammerhead sharks) for 2010. The Coastal Sharks Technical Committee recommended continuing with a 33 fish LCS possession limit in 2010 to maintain consistency between state and federal limits. For more information, please contact Christopher Vonderweidt, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or .

source: ASMFC press release

NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco has instructed the agency’s head attorney and its top fisheries manager to take immediate and long-term actions to improve the agency’s enforcement and legal operations and enhance its relationship with the fishing community.

In a memo, Dr. Lubchenco directed NOAA General Counsel Lois Schiffer, and NOAA Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries Jim Balsiger, to take a two-part approach to responding to the Jan. 21 recommendations by the Commerce Department’s Inspector General that reviewed the policies and practices of NOAA’s fisheries enforcement system. Lubchenco requested the review in June 2009 after listening to concerns of fishermen and Congress.

“I take this report very seriously and I want a comprehensive approach to addressing both the IG’s observations and the perceptions of fishermen. Fish are a public resource that should be protected through proper regulation and enforcement for the benefit of Americans, coastal economies and the marine environment. We can’t manage effectively without trust,” said Dr. Lubchenco. “Taking these steps will help us resolve the issues identified by the Inspector General and enhance our efforts to work with the fishing industry and public in a more constructive manner.”

NOAA will implement the following immediate actions:

1. Subject to compliance with applicable labor relations requirements, institute higher level reviews of proposed charging decisions, penalties, permit sanctions, and settlements to ensure consistency and predictability and to avoid the appearance of arbitrary decision making.

2. Institute a freeze on hiring criminal investigators until a work force analysis is done and approved by Dr. Lubchenco that will address the appropriate mix of criminal investigators and regulatory inspectors in the enforcement office.

3. Shift oversight of the Civil Monetary Penalties Fund (also known as the Assets Forfeiture Fund), where penalties are accrued, from NOAA’s Fisheries Service to NOAA’s comptroller.

4. Improve communications on enforcement issues, particularly in the Northeast. This will include actions that enhance understanding of fisheries regulations and transparency of enforcement actions.

5. Develop specific objectives and detailed plans for a summit on law enforcement practices to be held no later than June 30. The summit will provide a venue to develop forward thinking approaches and long-range policies for properly executing enforcement actions to protect living marine resources.

NOAA will develop, by March 21, long-term strategies that:

1. Improve data integrity and address inefficiencies of the management information systems used by the enforcement office and the enforcement attorneys, including using the Internet to increase transparency.

2. Implement standardized procedures for setting enforcement priorities that will help ensure consistency among regions while addressing regional needs. Ensure NOAA leadership has input.

3. Strengthen enforcement attorney operating procedures, prosecution of charged cases, and settlement actions. This includes revising procedural regulations and penalty schedules for consistency and clarity.

4. Implement an outreach strategy to improve relations with local fisheries communities and improve understanding of fisheries regulations and enforcement activities. This includes increasing rapport between NOAA and fishermen in order to improve communications and informal problem solving.

5. Develop a plan to review law enforcement staffing and procedures with a focus on ensuring that criminal procedures are not applied to civil offenses. Development of the plan should include appropriate independent review.

These ten initial steps are intended to begin to resolve the issues identified by the IG. NOAA will build upon these steps to develop a comprehensive plan that responds to all of the IG’s recommendations.

Dr. Lubchenco’s memo is available online at http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/PDFs/IGReportMemorandum.pdf.

The IG report is available online at http://www.oig.doc.gov/oig/.

The more than 200 agents and attorneys in NOAA’s Office for Law Enforcement and the Office of the General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation are responsible for ensuring compliance with more than 35 statutes, including the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Endangered Species Act. Their jurisdiction covers more than three million square miles of open ocean, more than 85,000 miles of U.S. coastline, the nation’s 13 national marine sanctuaries and its marine national monuments. As part of their mission to protect our nation’s marine resources by ensuring compliance with fisheries laws and regulations, they help to protect fish stocks, marine mammals, and the marine environment, as well as the livelihoods of law-abiding commercial and recreational fishermen.

source: NOAA press release

A joint meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee was held on January 8, 2010 (via Webinar) in response to the following motion passed by the Council at its December 2009 meeting in Wilmington, Delaware:

“Move that as outlined by the Executive Committee at the October Council meeting, convene a joint meeting of the Scientific and Statistical Committee and Monitoring Committee to share available data and relevant information as it pertains to the 2010 black sea bass recommendations for purposes of allowing the Regional Administrator to consider whether it would be appropriate to move forward with an emergency action based on final SSC review.”

After lengthy discussions with the Black Sea Bass Monitoring Committee, the SSC reconsidered its original 2010 acceptable biological catch (ABC) recommendation of 2.3 million pounds and agreed by consensus to increase its ABC recommendation for black sea bass for 2010 to 4.5 million pounds (a 2.2 million pound increase in ABC for the 2010 black sea bass fishery).

Upon receipt of the SSC report (http://www.mafmc.org/press/2010/SSC_Report_bsb.pdf) from the SSC Chairman (Dr. John Boreman), Council Chairman Richard B. Robins, Jr, on behalf of the Council, requested that the Secretary consider an emergency action to increase the 2010 total allowable catch (TAC) for black sea bass to 4.5 million pounds (http://mafmc.org/press/2010/Kurkul_bsb_letter.pdf).

The SSC’s increased ABC recommendation can be reasonably expected to alleviate significant, negative social and economic impacts relative to the initial ABC recommendation. The SSC report indicated that the TAC and total allowable landings (TAL) levels associated with its revised ABC recommendation would be 4.5 million pounds and 3.7 million pounds, respectively.

The report also calls specific attention to the issue of management uncertainty related to the recreational catch overages experienced in 2009. In light of the SSC’s findings and the subsequent request for an emergency action to increase the 2010 quota for black sea bass, the Council will be discussing potential changes to management measures for the species at its February 11, 2010 meeting in Cambridge, Maryland in order to provide final Council recommendations for black sea bass for the 2010 season.

source: MAFMC press release

Effective January 1 through January 31, 2010, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adjusts the General category daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit to two large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip. Until January 1, 2010, the current retention limit of three large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip remains in effect.

For more information visit the HMS Breaking News page at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/breaking_news.htm

Several South Atlantic states have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for an Omnibus Amendment to the Interstate Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for Spanish Mackerel, Spot, and Spotted Seatrout. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow.

Virginia Marine Resources Commission
December 14, 2009; 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
December 16, 2009; 6:00 PM
5285 US Highway 70 West (corner of US Highway 70W and Little Nine Road; old Security Solutions building)
Morehead City, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011

South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources
December 15, 2009; 6:30 PM
MRD Lab Classroom
217 Fort Johnson Road
Charleston, South Carolina
Contact: Mel Bell at (843) 953-9007

Georgia Coastal Resources Division
December 14, 2009; 6:30 PM
Holton’s Restaurant
Exit 76 – Interstate 95
13711 Highway 84
Midway, Georgia
Contact: Doug Haymans at (912) 264-7218

As the first step in the development of an amendment, the PID presents a broad overview of the issues facing these three species. It provides the public with the opportunity to tell the Commission about changes observed in the fisheries; actions that should or should not be taken in terms of management, regulation, enforcement, and research; and any other concerns about the resources or the fisheries.
The PID and subsequent amendment are being developed to update the three species management plans to include compliance measures and other Commission standards since all three plans are voluntary in nature and lack standards that were developed in response to the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (e.g., adaptive management, de minimis criteria). In the case of Spanish mackerel, the PID will also address modifying the Commission’s management program so that it is consistent with federal management in the exclusive economic zone (because the plan is intended to track federal Spanish mackerel measures).

Following the initial phase of information gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a Draft Omnibus Amendment for public review. Following the second public comment period, the Commission will specify management measures to be included in the final amendment. A tentative schedule for completion of the Omnibus Amendment is included in the PID.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID, by either attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the PID can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News.  Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on January 15, 2010 and should be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Omnibus Amendment). For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve at (202) 289-6400.

source: Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission press release

A series of public forums will be held throughout December on the recently released draft strategy for restoring the Chesapeake Bay, a document required by a Presidential Executive Order issued in May 2009.  The public forums will feature officials from multiple federal agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Public feedback is important and valuable to the federal agencies. Comments may be submitted online at http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net by clicking on “provide comments.” The public comment period runs through January 8, 2010. The draft strategy, also available on the website, will evolve through public comments, state consultations and agency revisions before the final strategy is published in May 2010.

The public can also submit questions about the draft strategy by recording a 30-second or less video and uploading it to YouTube with a tag of “chesapeakebayeo.”  A selection of these video questions will be used at the public forums and for an online question-and-answer session with federal officials in January. People can also join conversations about the draft strategy on Facebook by visiting the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order page and clicking on discussions. Additionally, updates on Executive Order news are available through Twitter by following @chesapeakebayeo.

Public Forum Schedule

District of Columbia: Tuesday, December 1 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Penn Quarter Conference Center, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Watch a live webcast at http://executiveorder.chesapeakebay.net

Maryland: Wednesday, December 2 – 7:00-8:30 pm

National Aquarium in Baltimore (Auditorium), 501 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Delmarva Peninsula: Thursday, December 3 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Wicomico County Civic Center (Midway Room), 500 Glen Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21804

West Virginia: Tuesday, December 8 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Holiday Inn Martinsburg, 301 Foxcroft Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25401

New York: Thursday, December 10 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Holiday Inn Binghamton-Downtown Hotel, 2-8 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901

Pennsylvania: Tuesday, December 15 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Farm Show Complex & Event Center (Banquet Hall), 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Virginia: Thursday, December 17 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Nauticus National Maritime Center (Auditorium), One Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510

On May 12, President Obama issued Executive Order 13508 on Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration, the first-ever presidential directive on the Bay and the first environmental Executive Order by President Obama. The order established a Federal Leadership Committee, chaired by the U.S. EPA, and with senior representatives from the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, Interior and Transportation. These agencies generated seven draft reports in September 2009 that contained recommendations for addressing key challenges facing the Chesapeake Bay and watershed.

These draft reports were integrated into a draft strategy that was released on November 9. The draft strategy contains a package of federal initiatives to restore clean water, conserve treasured places, protect fish and wildlife, and adapt to the impacts of climate change. These objectives will be accomplished by empowering local efforts, making decisions based on science and forging a new era of federal leadership and accountability. Close collaboration of efforts with the six states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the District of Columbia is also critical.

source: EPA press release

The public is invited to attend the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s December 2009 meeting to be held at the Sheraton Suites Hotel, 422 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19801 (telephone: 302-654-8300). Below is the meeting agenda. NOTE: Log onto www.ustream.tv and type mafmc in the search block to view and listen to the meeting.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8

8:30 Council convenes jointly with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Dogfish Boards

8:30 – 11:00 Summer Flounder: 2010 Recreational Management Measures

· Review and discuss Monitoring Committee’s recommendations on summer flounder management measures

· Review and discuss Advisory Panel’s recommendations on summer flounder management measures

· Develop and approve management measures for 2010 summer flounder recreational fishery

11:00 – 12:00 Scup: 2010 Recreational Management Measures

· Review and discuss Monitoring Committee’s recommendations on scup management measures

· Review and discuss Advisory Panel’s recommendations on scup management measures

· Develop and approve management measures for 2010 scup recreational fishery

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 Scup: 2010 Recreational Management Measures – Continued

· Review and discuss Monitoring Committee’s recommendations on scup management measures

· Review and discuss Advisory Panel’s recommendations on scup management measures

· Develop and approve management measures for 2010 scup recreational fishery

2:00 – 4:00 Black Sea Bass: 2010 Recreational Management Measures

· Review and discuss Monitoring Committee’s recommendations on black sea bass management measures

· Review and discuss Advisory Panel’s recommendations on black sea bass management measures

· Develop and approve management measures for 2010 black sea bass recreational fishery

4:00 – 5:00 Spiny Dogfish

· Review and discuss SSC and Monitoring Committee’s recommendations for dogfish quota and related management measures for 2010/2011 fishing year and beyond

· Adopt quota and related management measures for 2010/2011 and beyond fishing years

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9

8:00 Council Convenes with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Leadership and Board Chairs and Vice Chairs to Address Accountability Measures

8:00 – 9:30 Surfclam / Ocean Quahog / Tilefish Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM)

9:30 – 10:30 Dogfish Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM) to be included in the ACL/AM Omnibus Amendment

10:30 – 12:00 Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM) to be included in the ACL/AM Omnibus Amendment for mackerel and butterfish

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 1:15 Award Presentation and Recognition

· Fisheries Achievement Award – Jeff Deem

· Ricks E Savage Award – TBA

1:15 – 3:30 Demersal and Coastal Migratory Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM) to be included in the ACL/AM Omnibus Amendment

3:30 – 4:00 Monkfish Committee

· Discuss and recommend draft accountability measures (AM) to be included in the ACL/AM Omnibus Amendment

4: 00 – 5:30 Performance Monitoring and Evaluation of Catch Shares in Terms of Their Social, Cultural and Economic Impacts on Regional Fisheries – A Presentation by the NMFS’

Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Social Sciences Unit

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10

8:00 – 9:00 Executive Committee

· Review draft recommendations for standards for SSC review of ABC recommendations

· New business

9:00 Council Convenes

9:00 – 10:00 Presentation on draft-interim NOAA Catch Share Policy by Monica Medina [Senior Advisor to Dr. Lubchenco and Catch Share Task Force Chairperson]

10:00 – 11:30 Business Session and Annual Picture

· Approval of October minutes

Organizational Reports

· NMFS NERO Regional Administrator

· NMFS NEFSC Director

· NOAA Office of General Counsel

· Federal Enforcement Officials (NMFS and USCG)

· ASMFC’s Executive Director

New England Council Liaison Report

Executive Director’s Report – Mr. Furlong

Status of MAFMC FMPs – Mr. Seagraves

11:30-12:00 Informal Question and Answer session regarding MPA nominations

12:00 – 1:00 Lunch

1:00 – 2:15 Solicit Public Comment regarding the Council’s Selection of Sites for MPA Designation and finalize MPA nominations

2:15 – 3:00 Committee Reports

· Scientific and Statistical

· Highly Migratory Species

· Surfclam / Ocean Quahog / Tilefish

· Dogfish

· Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish

· Demersal and Coastal Migratory

· Monkfish

· Executive

3:00 – 3:30 Continuing and New Business

· Receive nominations for and vote on new members to be added to SSC

· Develop comments regarding NMFS’ changes to the General and Harpoon

Category fisheries for Atlantic bluefin tuna

The above agenda items may not be taken in the order in which they appear and are subject to change as necessary. Other items may be added, but the Council cannot take action on such items even if the item requires emergency action without additional public notice. Non-emergency matters not contained in this agenda may come before the Council and / or its Committees for discussion, but these matters may not be the subject of formal Council or Committee action during this meeting. Council and Committee actions will be restricted to the issues specifically listed in this agenda. Any issues requiring emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act that arise after publication of the Federal Register Notice for this meeting may be acted upon provided that the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. The meeting may be closed to discuss employment or other internal administrative matters.

To comply with federal law, unless states have a marine license or other program that supplies NOAA Fisheries Service with an accurate count of marine anglers, most saltwater anglers will need to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry beginning January 1, 2010.

The Registry is an important part of the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) which has been initiated by NOAA Fisheries Service to improve estimates of recreational fishing activity.

Anyone who is angling or spear fishing for anadromous species (such as striped bass or American shad) in tidal waters or for any fish in federal waters (3 to 200 miles from shore for the U. S. east coast) will have to register.

Who Doesn’t have to Register?

Anglers will NOT need to register if they:

* Are under 16;

* Only fish on licensed charter, party or guide boats;

* Hold a federal recreational Highly Migratory Species or subsistence fishing permit;

* Are fishing commercially under a commercial fishing license.

Charter/party vessels (commercial for-hire vessels who take anglers fishing or spear fishing) will only need to register federally if they do not already have another federal permit or license for their for-hire activities.

What does it Cost to Register?

NOAA will not charge a fee to register in 2010, but expects to charge about $15 to $25 in 2011. Fees collected will go into the U. S. treasury. State license fees may be directed by the state to supplement state fisheries management programs.

The Commission’s South Atlantic State-Federal Fisheries Management Board has approved the Public Information Document (PID) for an Omnibus Amendment to the Interstate Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for Spanish Mackerel, Spot, and Spotted Seatrout for public review and comment. As the first step in the development of an amendment, the PID presents a broad overview of the issues facing these three species. It provides the public with the opportunity to tell the Commission about changes observed in the fisheries; actions that should or should not be taken in terms of management, regulation, enforcement, and research; and any other concerns about the resources or the fisheries. The PID can be obtained via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. Several coastal states will be conducting public meetings on the PID; information on those meetings will be released once they become finalized.

The PID and subsequent amendment are being developed to update the three species management plans to include compliance measures and other Commission standards since all three plans are voluntary in nature and lack standards that were developed in response to the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (e.g., adaptive management, de minimis criteria). In the case of Spanish mackerel, the PID will also address modifying the Commission’s management program so that it is consistent with federal management in the exclusive economic zone (because the plan is intended to track federal Spanish mackerel measures).

Following the initial phase of information gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a Draft Omnibus Amendment for public review. Following the second public comment period, the Commission will specify management measures to be included in the final amendment. A tentative schedule for completion of the Omnibus Amendment is included in the PID.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID, by either attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the PID can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News.  Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on January 15, 2010 and should be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Omnibus Amendment). For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve at (202) 289-6400.

source: ASMFC press release