ARLINGTON, Va., — October 3, 2013 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission announces the release of its redesigned website at www.asmfc.org. With a completely new look, improved navigation and functionality, and expanded content, the website provides our member states, fishermen and other stakeholders with the most up-to-date information on the Commission’s fisheries science and management activities. Along with the redesigned website is an increased presence on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
“We are excited about our new site, which was designed with the end user in mind. There was a deliberate intention to add relevant and timely information to the homepage with the Quick Links and Calendar features, create streamlined menu options highlighting all of the Commission’s programs, and construct a site that was user friendly, informative, and accessible to all our stakeholders,” states Robert E. Beal, ASMFC Executive Director. “Through it, the Commission seeks to be to transparent in our fisheries management process, facilitate an understanding of the science behind our management decisions, highlight the importance of healthy habitat to productive fisheries, and emphasize the need for dedicated and coordinated law enforcement efforts.”
New website features include:
Ø Species-specific pages, with one-stop access to all species-related materials, such as fishery management plans, amendments and addenda, stock assessment reports, and meeting summaries and proceedings;
Ø Expanded pages on the Commission’s fisheries science activities, including a Fisheries Science 101 page that presents basic fisheries science and stock assessment information in layman’s terms, as well as links to stock assessment webinars, such as “Understanding the Science Behind Northern Shrimp Management;
Ø Revised habitat pages including a subpage devoted to habitat hot topics that explores current and emerging habitat issues, such as alternative energy, harbor deepening, shellfish habitat and coastal alterations;
Ø A law enforcement page highlighting the activities of the Commission’s Law Enforcement Committee and recognizing the notable accomplishments of state and federal conservation officers coastwide;
Ø New kids & teachers resources page containing links to ASMFC educational materials; and
Ø A searchable database of all ASMFC publications.