On September 30th the Division of Marine Fisheries will host an ASMFC public hearing related to four different proposed changes to interstate management plans governing American lobster, scup & black sea bass, American shad, and striped bass. This hearing will be conducted in four successive sessions each dealing with a distinct management plan proposal(s). The hearing will begin at 4:30 pm at DMF’s Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station at 30 Emerson Ave., Gloucester.

Draft Addendum XV to Amendment 3 to the Management Plan for American Lobster. Start Time: 4:30 pm. This addendum proposes to limit future trap fishing in federal waters of Lobster Conservation Management Area 1 (Gulf of Maine). Proposed eligibility requirements would be limit future trap fishing eligibility to those vessels that hold a current federal lobster permit designated for Area 1 trap fishing with a documented history of ordering trap tags in at least one of the past five years, 2004 – 2008. This proposal seeks to discourage non-trap vessels from entering the trap fishery and to discourage migration of vessels and permits to Area 1 from areas where permit-specific trap limits have been enacted.

Draft Addendum XX to Amendment 13 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass. Start time: Immediately following the Lobster Plan session. This addendum proposes changes to the quota transfer provisions for the commercial fisheries for both black sea bass and scup summer period (May 1-October 31) managed under the Commission’s plans. Proposals will allow post-season transfers between states to allow states to reconcile small overages. Also, options for formulas to distribute unused quota contributed by states with underages to states with overages will be presented.

Draft Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad & River Herring (American Shad Management). Start Time: 7 pm. This Amendment proposes a suite of monitoring and management measures to protect, enhance, and restore American shad stocks to sustainable levels. Options will be presented for commercial and recreational fisheries restrictions that range from status quo to harvest moratoriums.

Draft Addendum II to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. Start time: Immediately following shad & river herring session. This addendum proposes to allow unused coastal commercial quota of striped bass to be rolled over from one year to the next. Options include state eligibility and the amount of unused quota that may be carried over.

Further details on proposed Addenda and Amendments are available through the ASMFC website (www.asmfc.org) and DMF website (http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/marinefisheriesnotices/pubhearings.htm).