November 16, 2016 — DURHAM, NH — New Hampshire joins other Atlantic coastal states in scheduling its local hearing on two marine management actions being developed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold the hearing beginning at 7:00 p.m. on December 6, 2016, at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  The meeting is to gather:

• 7:00 p.m.: Public comment on Draft Addendum II to the Jonah Crab Fishery Management Plan (FMP)
• 7:20 p.m.:  Public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden.

Jonah Crab Fishery:  The Draft Addendum considers establishing a coastwide standard for claw harvest to address concerns regarding the equity of the current claw provision. Specific options include establishing a whole crab fishery or allowing for the harvest of claws coastwide. The Draft Addendum also considers establishing a definition of bycatch, based on a percent composition of catch, in order to minimize the expansion of a small-scale fishery under the bycatch allowance.

Read the full release at the New Hampshire Department of Fish & Game