March 27, 2012 – A public hearing will be held in Delaware by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission regarding a proposed amendment to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden.
The purpose of the hearing is to gather public comment on proposed menhaden management measures. The hearing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 28, at the DNREC Lewes Field Facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, located adjacent to the Lewes Boat Ramp.
The ASMFC's Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved the public information document for Amendment 2 to the management plan for public comment and review. As the first step in the development of the draft amendment, the PID presents the current status of the fishery and resource, and solicits public input on which major issues and alternatives should be included for consideration and analysis to achieve menhaden population management goals.
The PID's primary focus is to initiate discussion on the timing and implementation of achieving the recently adopted fishing mortality threshold. Based on the most recent stock assessment of fishing mortality in 2008, overfishing is occurring, but the stock is not overfished.
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input by either attending the hearing or providing written comments. The PID may be viewed here.
The public comment deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, April 20, and should be mailed to Mike Waine, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; fax to 703-842-0741 or email to mwaine@asmfc.org with subject line: Menhaden PID.
Delaware-related questions may be addressed to Fisheries Administrator John Clark, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, email john.clark@state.de.us, or call Fisheries at 302-739-9914.
Read the full story at the Cape Gazette.