June 16, 2015 — ARLINGTON, Va. — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section has withdrawn Draft Amendment 3 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan from public consideration and review in order to further develop the proposed spawning protection measures. Draft Amendment 3 addresses three major issues: spawning protection measures, fixed gear set-aside provisions, and requirements to empty fish holds.
During yesterday’s conference call, Section members expressed concern about the highly technical nature of the proposed measures and the potential impacts of these measures to the fishing industry. Section Chair Terry Stockwell committed to providing detailed guidance to Commission staff and the Plan Development Team on needed changes to the proposed spawning protection measures at the Section’s meeting in August. The intent of these changes would be to clearly define the goal of spawning protections, describe proposed methodologies and measures in a way that is understandable to the fishing industry and stakeholders, and detail the benefits and impacts of spawning closures to the resource.
Based on the guidance they receive in August, the Plan Development Team and the Technical Committee will work to refine the proposed spawning protection measures for Section consideration at the Commission’s Annual Meeting in November. Once approved, the Draft Amendment will be released for public comment, with final plan approval scheduled for February 2016.