March 22, 2013 — The states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on the Draft Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Black Drum Draft. The dates, times, and locations of those meetings follow.
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
April 10, 2013; 7 PM
Nacote Creek Research Station
360 Route 9 North (milepost 51)
Port Republic, New Jersey
Contact: Russ Allen at 609.748.2020
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
April 2, 2013; 7 – 9 PM
DNREC Building
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware
Contact: John Clark at 302.739.9914
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Service
April 3, 2013; 6 PM
580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Harry Rickabaugh at 410.643.6785 ext. 2109
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
April 1, 2013; 7 PM
Barrier Islands Center
7295 Young Street
Machipongo, Virginia
Contact: Rob O’Reilly at 757.247.2248
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries
March 27, 2013; 6 PM
Central District Office
5285 U.S. Highway 70 West
Morehead City, North Carolina
Contact: Chris Stewart at 910.796.7370
The Draft FMP solicits comment on a range of issues, including management goals and objectives; recreational and commercial management measures; flexibility to react to new assessment information; de minimis levels and exemptions; monitoring requirements and recommendations; and recommended measures for implementation by NOAA Fisheries in federal waters. The FMP was initiated in response to concern regarding significant increases in harvest in recent years and the fact that the fishery primarily targets juveniles. Further, the lack of consistent coastwide regulations or management goals may negatively impact the black drum population as fishing pressures shifts from other stocks.
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft FMP either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. The Draft FMP is available here. The public comment deadline is 5:00 PM (EST) on April 26, 2013 and should be forwarded to Toni Kerns, ISFMP Director, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or tkerns@asmfc.org (Subject line: Black Drum FMP). The FMP is scheduled for final approval during the Commission’s 2013 Spring Meeting.