The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries 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 HERE.
Contacts
Kirby Rootes-Murdy, FMP Coordinator, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
[email protected], 703.842.0740
Kiley Dancy, FMP Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
[email protected], 302.526.5257
Regional Public Hearings
Thursday, October 2, 2014, 6 p.m.
Ocean Pines Library
11107 Cathell Rd, Berlin, MD 21811
Contact: Kiley Dancy
Monday, October 6, 2014, 6 p.m. DNREC Auditorium 89 Kings Hwy, Dover, DE 19901 Contact: Kiley Dancy
Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 6 p.m. Virginia Marine Resources Commission 4th Floor Meeting Room, 2600 Washington Avenue, Newport News, VA 23607 Contact: Kiley Dancy
Tuesday, October 21, 2014, 6 p.m. Washington Marriott at Metro Center 775 12th St NW, Washington, DC 20005 Contact: Kiley Dancy Wednesday, October 22, 2014, 6 p.m. Internet webinar: Connect to the webinar HERE and select “enter as guest.” Contact: Kirby Rootes-Murdy
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 HERE EMAIL: [email protected] MAIL: Bob Beal, Executive Director, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission 1050 North Highland Street, Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201 ----OR ---- Chris Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901 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. 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.