Last Chance to Submit Comments on the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment

Last Chance to Submit Comments on the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment

The deadline to submit written comments on the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment is this Friday, April 23, 2021. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission are developing this joint amendment to address a wide range of issues related to management of the Atlantic Bluefish fishery. The amendment contains alternatives to:

• Revise the fishery management plan (FMP) goals and objectives;

• Modify the bluefish allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors;

• Modify the commercial allocations to the states;

• Initiate a rebuilding plan;

• Revise the quota transfer processes;

• Revise how the FMP accounts for management uncertainty; and

• Revise the de minimis provisions in the Commission’s FMP.

Submit Comments Here

Details about the management alternatives being considered in this amendment are available at the following links:

• Public Hearing Document – an abbreviated version of the amendment which summarizes proposed management options and impacts

• ASMFC Draft Amendment – a more comprehensive management document that will resemble the Commission’s final amendment once approved

• Alternatives Quick Reference Guide – provides an overview of the alternatives under consideration in the amendment

• Public Hearing Presentation on YouTube

Written Comments

Written comments may be submitted through April 23, 2021 by any of the following methods:

1. ONLINE: https://www.mafmc.org/comments/bluefish-allocation-rebuilding-amendment

2. EMAIL: mseeley@mafmc.org

3. MAIL: Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director
   Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council

   800 North State Street, Suite 201

   Dover, DE 19901

4. FAX 302-674-5399

Please include “Bluefish Amendment” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Tips for Providing Public Comment

We value your input. To be most effective, we request that your comment include specific details as to why you support or oppose a particular alternative. Specifically, please address the following:

• Which proposed alternative(s) do you support, and which do you oppose?

• Why do you support or oppose the alternative(s)?

• Is there any additional information you think should be considered?

Contacts

If you have any questions, please contact:

• Matthew Seeley, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, mseeley@mafmc.org, 302-526-5262

• Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714

Source: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council