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   | Winter Flounder Board Releases Draft Addendum I for Public Comment States to Conduct Hearings in April
Submitted by urbananglernyc on Sun, 04/05/2009 - 10:33.
Washington, DC - The Commission's Winter Flounder Management Board has approved the release of Draft Addendum I to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for the Inshore Stocks of Winter Flounder for public review and comment. The Draft Addendum proposes a suite of management measures to reduce fishing mortality on the inshore stocks of winter flounder (0 to 3 miles). The range of management measures include recreational bag limits, recreational seasons, and commercial possession limits. Atlantic coastal states from Maine through New Jersey have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow: Maine Department of Marine Resources New Hampshire Fish and Game Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife The Board initiated the Draft Addendum in response to the findings of the 2008 Groundfish Assessment Report Meeting (GARM III), which estimates that the Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic stock is at 9 percent of the target biomass (overfished) with overfishing occurring and that the Gulf of Maine stock is likely to be overfished with overfishing likely to be occurring. Another factor influencing the Board's action is pending federal management measures on groundfish stocks, which will significantly reduce fishing mortality on federally-managed groundfish stocks in offshore waters (3 - 200 miles). Options under Draft Addendum I will seek to enhance stock rebuilding efforts throughout the species range by reducing fishing related mortality on inshore spawning stocks. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on Draft Addendum I, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the Draft Addendum can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on April 30, 2009 (EST) and should be forwarded to Christopher Vonderweidt, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 'Eye' Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at The Board will meet again in May, during the Commission's Spring Meeting, to review public comment and advisory panel input, and consider final action on the Addendum. For more information, please contact Christopher Vonderweidt, at (202) 289-6400 or cvonderweidt@asmfc.org. ASMFC Vision: Healthy, self-sustaining populations for all Atlantic coast fish species or successful restoration well in progress by the year 2015. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - If you need assistance please email njfishandwildlife@dep.state.nj.us. |
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