March 22, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
The first two public hearing webinars for the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment will be held this week, on Wednesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 25. Additional hearings will be held on March 30, April 1, and April 8. All hearings begin at 6:00 p.m. Written comments will be accepted through 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.
Learn More
Complete details about the management alternatives being considered in this amendment are available in the Council’s Public Hearing Document (an abbreviated version of the amendment which summarizes proposed management options and impacts) and the Commission’s Draft Amendment (a more comprehensive management document that will resemble the Commission’s final amendment once approved). We have also developed a Alternatives Quick Reference Guide which provides an overview of the alternatives under consideration in the amendment.
A recording of the Public Hearing Presentation is now available on YouTube. If you are not planning to attend a public hearing, we encourage you to watch this video before submitting written comments.
Virtual Hearing Schedule
You are encouraged to provide oral comments at any of the following public hearings. While we encourage you to attend the hearing that is targeted toward your state or regional grouping, anyone is welcome to participate in any hearing. See the hearing announcement for a list of hearing contacts.
- Wednesday, March 24, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida
- Thursday, March 25, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Delaware, Maryland, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, and Virginia
- Tuesday, March 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Connecticut and New York
- Thursday, April 1, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island
- Thursday, April 8, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: New Jersey
Webinar Connection Instructions
To register for a public hearing please click here: Public Hearing Registration and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. When connecting to audio, we strongly encourage participants to use computer voice over internet (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 1-866-901-6455 and enter access code 140-544-592. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. For technical assistance setting up and logging into GoToWebinar, contact Dustin Colson Leaning at 703-842-0714.
Please note that if you are connected only by phone in listen only mode, you will not show up as a webinar attendee. In the event that there are no webinar attendees, the public hearing will be cancelled unless state staff request that the hearing content is presented.
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