April 1, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
One virtual public hearing has been scheduled to gather input on Draft Addendum XXXII to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. The Draft Addendum considers repealing all Addendum XXVII measures pertaining to scheduled increases in gauge and escape vent size limits. The public hearing is open to all stakeholders, regardless of state residency. The public hearing details follow:
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Date
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Hearing Information
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Contact
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Thursday, April 10
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
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Public Hearing Webinar on Lobster Addendum XXXII
The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.
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Draft Addendum XXXII responds to economic concerns from the lobster industry regarding the Addendum XXVII measures. It aims to provide the Gulf of Maine states the opportunity to work closely with industry to identify alternative conservation strategies.
Under Addendum XXVII, a series of changes to the current gauge and escape vent sizes in Lobster Conservation Management Areas (LCMAs) 1, 3, and Outer Cape Cod were triggered based on observed declines in recruit abundance indices, starting with an increase to the minimum gauge size in LCMA 1 (Gulf of Maine) on July 1, 2025.
Addendum XXVII aimed to increase protection of the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank spawning stock biomass through proactive conservation measures. While the overall stock condition is favorable according to the 2020 Benchmark Stock Assessment, persistent declines have been observed in the juvenile lobster population and, more recently, in landings as well. A new stock assessment is expected to be completed this fall to provide updated information on the status of the resource.
Webinar Instructions
Please note that in order to comment during a virtual webinar hearing you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your phone. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. In those cases, you can send your comments to staff via email or US mail at any time during the public comment period. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 213.929.4212 and enter access code 756-151-845. All are welcome to participate in virtual hearings.
Please click HERE to register for the public hearing. The hearing will be held via GoToWebinar, and you can join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software by (clicking here) or via the App store under GoToWebinar. We recommend you register for the hearing well in advance of the hearing since GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the Commission at info@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and we will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input at the hearing.
Submitting Comments
The public is encouraged to submit comments at any time during the addendum process. The Draft Addendum is available at https://asmfc.org/actions/american-lobster-draft-addendum-xxxii/ . Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EDT) on April 25, 2025 and should be sent to Caitlin Starks, Senior FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201; or to comments@asmfc.org(Subject line: Lobster Draft Addendum XXXII) or via the public comment form on the American Lobster Draft Addendum XXXII Action Tracker webpage.