June 21, 2018 — There’s still time to provide comments on bluefish allocation to interstate fishery managers considering changes to the bluefish fishery management plan.
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, two interstate fishery management agencies with jurisdiction in the federal waters 3-200 miles offshore in North Carolina, have scheduled a series of scoping hearings to gather public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Bluefish Allocation Amendment. Hearings are being held through Monday, July 16, in nine coastal states.
In North Carolina, a hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Central District Office at 5285 Highway 70 West in Morehead City. An internet webinar will also be held at 6 p.m., July 16. Connection information is available at the website www.mafmc.org.
All comments, submitted either through public hearings or in writing, will be presented to the council and commission. Written comments will be accepted until Monday, July 30. In addition to providing comments at any of the scheduled scoping hearings, anyone interested may submit written comments online at the website www.mafmc.org/comments/bluefish-allocation-amendment.
Written comments may also be sent by email to mseeley@mafmc.org or by regular mail to Chris Moore, Ph.D, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901.
Anyone interested in commenting should include “Bluefish Amendment Scoping Comments” in the subject line if using email or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments by mail.