The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has officially announced that Atlantic coastal states from Maine through North Carolina have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The first hearings get underway this week in Delaware and Maryland.
As stated previously in a press release issued on May 21 by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), the intended purpose of the draft addendum is specifically to consider options to increase the coastal commercial quota of striped bass and revise the definition of striped bass recruitment failure. "This proposal was not endorsed by the Striped Bass Advisory Panel, and it wasn't supported by anyone in the recreational fishing community," said RFA Executive Director, Jim Donofrio.
The RFA cites a grossly unregulated illegal striper harvest occurring in federal waters as reason enough to go against the draft addendum. "It's against the law for anyone, recreational or commercial, to target stripers in the EEZ, and until the fed can adequately enforce the rules in their own waters, it's irresponsible to make motions at the Commission level which would lead to more overharvest in this fishery," Donofrio said. The RFA believes there should no increases on striper harvest in either sector until the illegal and unreported fishery is officially brought under control by NOAA Fisheries.
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 202-289-6400. Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on October 1, 2010 and should be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, FMP Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; 202-289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Addendum II). The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings are as follows.
Again, these are public hearings and anglers are encouraged to attend.
Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
June 16, 2010; 7:30 PM
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware
Contact: Craig Shirey at (302) 739-9914
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
June 17, 2010; 7:00 PM
Ocean Pines Library
11107 Cathell Road
Berlin, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at (410) 260-8295
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
June 28, 2010; 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Avenue, 4th Floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
June 29, 2010
Location to be determined
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011
NC Division of Marine Fisheries
July 7, 2010; 6:00 PM
Central District Office
5285 Highway 70 West
Morehead City, North Carolina
Contact: Michelle Duval at (252) 808-8011
Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection
July 13, 2010; 7:00 PM
Fayerweather Yacht Club
51 Brewster Street
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043
Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection
July 14, 2010; 7:00 PM
Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
July 19, 2010; 7:00 PM
Tawes State Office Building, C1 Conf. Room
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Carrie Kennedy at (410) 260-8295
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
July 20, 2010
Location to be determined
Contact: Leroy Young at (814) 359-5177
New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation
July 21, 2010; 7:00 PM
Marine Resources Headquarters
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1
East Setauket, New York
Contact: Steve Heins at (631) 444-0436
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
July 22; 7:00 PM
Toms River Township Clerk's Office
L. Manuel Hirshblond Room
33 Washington Street
Toms River, New Jersey
Contact: Brandon Muffley at (609) 748-2020
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
August 16, 2010; 6:00 PM
Holiday Inn
55 Ariadne Road
Dedham, Massachusetts
Contact: Jared Silva at (617) 626-1534
Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
August 17, 2010; 6:00 PM
URI, Narragansett Bay Campus, Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Mark Gibson at (401) 423-1935
New Hampshire Fish and Game
September 13, 2010; 7:00 PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at (603) 868-1095
Maine Department of Marine Resources
September 14, 2010; 6:00 PM
Town of Yarmouth Log Cabin
196 Main Street
Yarmouth, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at (207) 624-6553
