September 5, 2014 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC):
he Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) have scheduled a series of scoping hearings to gather public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Comprehensive Summer Flounder Amendment. Hearings will be held September 29 – October 22 in coastal states from Massachusetts to North Carolina.
The amendment will involve a comprehensive review of all aspects of the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) related to summer flounder. Specifically, the Council and Commission will consider whether modifications to the FMP’s goals, objectives, and management strategies for summer flounder are needed.
Scoping is the first and best opportunity for members of the public to raise concerns related to the scope of issues that will be considered. The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding the range of potential issues to be addressed in the amendment. The Council and Commission are particularly interested in comments on the following topics:
• Fishery management plan goals and objectives
• Quota allocation between the commercial and recreational fisheries
• Commercial management measures and strategies
• Recreational management measures and strategies
• Discards in the commercial and recreational fisheries
• Ecosystem, habitat, bycatch, and protected species issues
• Data collection requirements and protocols
Learn More
The Scoping Document contains background information on summer flounder management and on issues that may be addressed in the amendment, as well as a description of the amendment process and timeline. Additional information and updates will be posted at www.mafmc.org/actions/summer-flounder-amendment.
Contacts
Kirby Rootes-Murdy, FMP Coordinator Kiley Dancy, FMP Coordinator
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
Krootes-murdy@asmfc.org kdancy@mafmc.org
703.842.0740 302.526.5257
Written Comments
In addition to providing comments at any of the fourteen scheduled scoping hearings, you may submit written comments by 5 PM, Eastern Standard Time, on October 31, 2014. Written comments may be sent by any of the following methods:
ONLINE: www.mafmc.org/comments/summer-flounder-amendment
EMAIL: nmfs.gar.FlukeAmendment@noaa.gov
MAIL:
Chris Moore, Ph.D., Executive Director Bob Beal, Executive Director
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
North State Street, Suite 201 1050 North Highland Street, Suite 200A-N
Dover, DE 19901 Arlington, VA 22201
Please include “Summer Flounder Amendment Scoping Comments” in the subject line if using email or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments by mail.
All comments, regardless of submission method, will be compiled into a single document for review and consideration by both the Council and Commission. Please do not send separate comments to the Council and Commission.