Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Striped Bass Industry Advisory Work Group

Operating Guidelines

Background:

The Commercial Striped Bass Industry Advisory Work Group (SBWG) has been revised in order to address industry concerns regarding member participation and gear/area specific representation on the previous SBWG. The revised-SBWG is being re-convened to serve as an advisory body to the department on matters concerning the striped bass commercial fishing industry. Specifically, the department is seeking coordinated industry input on the management of this fishery in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the fishery's participants. All advice offered to the department via the SBWG will be vetted through the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission. Should the department choose to move forward with advice involving regulation, the department will adhere to the established public process for initiating regulatory change. This includes public scoping of the regulatory idea, obtaining input from both the Tidal and Sport Fisheries Advisory Commissions, and a public comment opportunity during the regulatory process.

Membership:

The membership of the Striped Bass Work Group is representative of the diverse regions and interests within the commercial striped bass fishery. The membership consists of three representatives (each region has one proxy representative) representing five regions of the Maryland portion of Chesapeake Bay. The five regions are as follows: 1) Lower Western Shore (Calvert, Charles, Prince Georges, St. Mary’s), 2) Middle Western Shore (Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City), 3) Upper Chesapeake Bay (Cecil, Kent, Harford), 4) Middle Eastern Shore (Caroline, Talbot, Queen Anne), and 5) Lower Eastern Shore / Coastal Bays (Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester). In addition to regional representatives, the president of the Maryland Watermen's Association, the president of the Chesapeake Bay Commercial Fishermen's Association, and the Chair of the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission are included as members by virtue of their roles as industry leaders. These industry leaders provide nominations to the department for each regional representative seat on the Striped Bass Work Group.

The Natural Resources violation history of each nominee was reviewed by the department. Any current member of the SBWG who accumulates 10 or more points during any two year period will be removed from the Committee. In selecting new or replacement committee members, an individual who has acquired 10 or more points within the most recent two years will not be eligible. The department may also take into account other factors when determining eligibility, which include, but are not limited to excessive reporting violations, revocation of fishing permits, and probation before judgment dispositions for tier II and III offenses. Eligible nominees are appointed to the committee by the Director of Fishing and Boating Services.

Member Responsibilities:

  • Prepare for meetings: Read distributed information prior to meetings; discuss issues with the people you represent; and prepare to communicate the viewpoints and concerns of those you represent.
  • Service Between Meetings: Maintain regular communication with the people you represent, informing them of the progress and work of the SBWG.
  • Work in Meetings: Attend to process; follow the agenda; suggest solutions or compromises; search for closure.
  • Participate: Use the capacities and resources you possess; promote the ideas, perspectives and constituencies you represent while adhering to the purpose of the SBWG.

 

Term of Tenure and Selection of Future Members:

Consistent with the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission, members are appointed to a two year term.  The department will request that industry leadership conduct a comprehensive review of the membership every two years. An individual may serve more than one term.

Attendance

  1. Proxy Attendees. A single, designated proxy from the same regional area as the member may be nominated to serve on behalf of a SBWG Member.
  2. In the event that you are unable to attend a meeting, you must notify the DNR staff person assigned to the SBWG within 48 hours of the meeting. The DNR staff person will work with you to obtain and provide your input to the SBWG.
  3. The DNR staff person will notify SBWG members if a meeting is to be canceled for lack of a quorum.
  4. If a Member or their proxy is unable to attend 75% of SBWG meetings during a calendar year, the department will ask the Industry Leaders to review this person's membership and potentially nominate a replacement.

Quorum

A quorum is a simple majority of members. For the Striped Bass Work Group to vote on discussed issues 10 members must be present. ​

Communication and Decision-Making Ground Rules

    The SBWG is asked to consider each suggested ground rule in an effort to facilitate group discussions:
  1. Only SBWG Members (or approved proxy attendees) will sit at the meeting table.
  2. Only one member will speak at a time, each member will have equal opportunity to participate.
  3. Each Member will focus on the agenda issue to keep the discussion moving forward.
  4. Each Member will respect all other Members and individuals of the public that may be in attendance at meetings.
  5. Each Member will strive to listen actively and be open-minded.
  6. Public observers will be allowed to address the SBWG at a designated time period on the agenda for each meeting.
  7. For topics that are not on the agenda, department staff will use a public sign-up list in deciding how to allocate the available time on the agenda to the number of people who want to speak.

Motions

Work Group members may make a motion.

  1. If a motion is made, it shall be written down and reviewed for accuracy. Before discussing the motion, there needs to be a second to the motion. If the motion receives a second, department staff will facilitate a fair and equitable discussion among the work group members, and an opportunity for public comment as time allows.
  2. Discussion shall be limited to the merits of the immediately pending question or issue.
  3. A seconded motion shall be approved by a majority of the Work Group members in order to be adopted. Motions may be voted upon using ballots rather than a show of hands.
  4. If the motion is approved, but not carried unanimously, the department requests that the work group inform the department on the reason for the dissenting vote(s). This is needed as the department is the decision-making body, and not only needs to hear the reasons for supporting the motion but also those that oppose the motion.

Support Staff

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fishing and Boating Services shall designate a staff person(s) to support the SBWG. The assigned staff person(s) shall have the following roles:

  • Administrator - Prepare and distribute meeting agendas, meeting summaries and meeting support information; arrange for meeting space; and secure materials and/or resources to facilitate meetings
  • Meeting Facilitator - Ensure adherence to agenda and operating guidelines; facilitate and clarify discussion; involve membership; explore diversity of opinions/inputs; resolve discussions; facilitate public participation in a fair and equitable manner while maintaining an atmosphere of civility and respect; allocate meeting time to accommodate discussion
  • Technical Support: Provide information and consultation regarding technical issues.
​Commercial Striped Bass Fishing