FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, JANUARY 7, 2020
PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER, 703.842.0740
MAFMC and ASMFC to Hold Scoping Hearings for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) have scheduled a series of scoping hearings to gather public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment. Hearings will be held February 13 – March 3. Written comments will be accepted through March 17, 2020. All comments provided at public hearings or in writing will be presented to the Council and Commission.
This amendment will consider potential modifications to the allocations of catch or landings between the commercial and recreational sectors for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The commercial and recreational allocations for all three species were set in the mid-1990s based on historical proportions of landings (for summer flounder and black sea bass) or catch (for scup) from each sector. In July 2018, the Marine Recreational Information Program released revisions to its time series of catch (harvest and discards) estimates. These revisions resulted in much higher recreational catch estimates compared to previous estimates, affecting the entire time series of data going back to 1981. Some changes have also been made to commercial catch data since the allocations were established. The current commercial and recreational allocation percentages for all three species do not reflect the current understanding of the recent and historic proportions of catch and landings from the two sectors. This amendment will consider whether changes to these allocations are warranted.
Scoping is the first and best opportunity to raise concerns related to the scope of issues that will be considered. You are encouraged to submit comments on which options may or may not be useful or practical for meeting the goal of this action and any other relevant issues the Council and Commission should consider.
Learn More
The Scoping and Public Information Document contains background information on summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass management and on issues that may be addressed in the amendment, as well as a description of the amendment process and timeline. This document, along with additional information and updates on development of this amendment, is available on the Council’s website at http://www.mafmc.org/actions/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment [mafmc.org].
Contacts
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Julia Beaty, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, jbeaty@mafmc.org, 302-526-5250 |
Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, |
Please note that some hearings will be held in conjunction with (immediately before or after) supplemental scoping hearings for an ongoing Bluefish Allocation Amendment. A schedule for the bluefish hearings will be posted at: http://www.mafmc.org/actions/bluefish-allocation-amendment [mafmc.org].
Written Comments
In addition to providing comments at any of the scheduled public hearings, you may submit written comments by 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods:
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1. ONLINE: |
http://www.mafmc.org/comments/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment [mafmc.org] |
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2. EMAIL: |
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3. MAIL or FAX: |
Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council 800 North State Street, Suite 201 Dover, DE 19901 FAX: 302.674.5399 |
Please include “Fluke/Scup/Sea Bass Allocation Amendment” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments. All comments, regardless of submission method, will be compiled into a single document for review and consideration by both the Council and Commission. Please do not send separate comments to the Council and Commission.
A PDF of the press release can be found here – http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/5e14a9edpr20-01_SFSBSB-Allocation-Scoping-Hearings_final.pdf [asmfc.org]
———————
Tina Berger
Director of Communications
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200A-N
Arlington, VA 22201
703.842.0740
Sustainable and Cooperative Management of Atlantic Coastal Fisheries
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