[MakoMike]

Pay paticluar attention to the Bycatch Committee

Monday, April 7

10:00 - 5:00 pm Orientation Session for Science and Statistical Committee (SSC) in Conjunction with

SSC Review Working Group

· Review and discuss roles of Council, SSC, Monitoring Committees, NMFS, Council staff

· Review Council's current specification setting procedures and related timing issues

· Review ACL and AM requirements established by Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act (MSRA)

· Discuss possible alternative specification procedures

· Discuss Terms of Reference (TOR) for SSC regarding annual specification setting process

· Evaluate and modify (if needed) current SSC composition by discipline/expertise

· Review SSC membership appointment protocol and need to expand Committee

· Discuss quality assurance/quality control measures for SSC appointment

Tuesday, April 8

9:00 -11:00 am Ad Hoc Excessive Shares Committee

· Review and discuss meaning/interpretation of MSA National Standard 4

· Review and discuss meaning/interpretation of Section 303A(c)(5)(D)

· Review and discuss meaning/interpretation of Section 303A(c)(9)

· Develop ideas on and practical application of excessive shares concept

11:00 - 12:00 Mid-Atlantic Section of Joint Monkfish Committee

· Review and discuss proposed measures in Framework 6

· Select preferred alternative

· Develop Committee recommendation for Council consideration and action

12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 - 3:00 pm Protected Resources Committee

· Review Harbor Porpoise Take Reduction Team Activities (Amanda Johnson)

· Receive report on NMFS Protected Resources Public Outreach Program in the Mid-Atlantic (Glenn Salvador)

3:00 - 5:30 pm Research Set-Aside (RSA) Committee

· Review draft document regarding Council's RSA program

· Review status of Mid-Atlantic Council's RSA projects/awards

· Discuss need for RSA programmatic reviews

· Discuss concept of establishing a Mid-Atlantic Consortium

Wednesday, April 9

8:00 - 9:30 am Executive Committee

· Review discussions and outcomes from Northeast Regional Coordinating Council

(NRCC) meeting

· Review, discuss, and address timeline associated with staff's preferred approach to satisfying MSA Section 303(a)(15)

9:30 - 10:00 am Surfclam / Ocean Quahog Committee

· Receive update on commitments made at Amendment 14 Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) meeting

10:00 - 12:00 pm Bycatch Committee

· Discuss measures to reduce bycatch mortality in recreational fisheries

· Review status of educational outreach initiative

12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm Council convenes

1:00 - 1:15 pm Award Presentation and Recognition

· Ricks E Savage Award - Dr. James H. Gilford

1:15 - 3:15 pm Business Session

· Approve January 2008 Council Meeting Minutes

Organizational Reports

· NMFS Regional Administrator

· NMFS NEFSC Director

· NOAA Office of General Counsel

· Federal Enforcement Officials (NMFS and USCG)

· ASMFC's Executive Director

Liaison Reports

· New England Council - Jimmy Ruhle (February 12-14 Meeting)

· South Atlantic Council - Red Munden (March 3-7 Meeting)

Executive Director's Report and Actions from Prior Meeting - Daniel T. Furlong

Status of MAFMC FMPs - Rich Seagraves

3:15 - 4:00pm Receive Update on New England Council's HAPC Initiative - Presentation by Chad

Demarest

4:00 - 5:00 pm Monkfish Framework 6

· Review and approve Framework for Secretarial submission

Thursday, April 10

8:00 - 9:30 am Demersal Committee

· Review purpose and need of current list of potential actions to be addressed by Amendment 15

9:30 am Council convenes

9:30 - 12:00 pm Tilefish Amendment 1

· Review preferences for management alternatives based on public comments received for Amendment 1

· Discuss and adopt preferred alternatives to be included in the FEIS supporting Amendment 1

· Approve Amendment 1 and associated FEIS for Secretarial submission

12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch

1:00 - 2:30 pm Tilefish Amendment 1 (continued)

2:30 - 4:00 pm Committee Reports

· Highly Migratory Species

· Trawl Survey Panel

· Science and Statistical

· Ad Hoc Excessive Shares

· Protected Resources

· Research Set-Aside

· Executive

· Surfclam / Ocean Quahog

· Bycatch

· Demersal

Continuing and New Business