Washington, DC - Atlantic coastal states have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum I to Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Sea Herring. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow:

Maine Department of Marine Resources                                                
Monday, January 12 at 6:00 pm
Rockland Ferry Terminal
517 Main Street
Rockland, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at (207) 624-6553

Tuesday, January 13 at 6:00 pm
Casco Bay Lines
56 Commercial Street
Portland, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at (207) 624-6553

Wednesday, January 21 at 6:00 pm
Ellsworth City Hall (Council Chambers)
1 City Hall Plaza
Ellsworth, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at (207) 624-6553

New Hampshire Fish and Game
Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00 pm
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at (603) 868-1095

Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
Tuesday, January 13 at 6:00 pm
Annisquam Field Station
30 Emerson  Avenue
Gloucester, Massachusetts
Contact: Melanie Griffin at (617) 626-1528

Draft Addendum I was developed to explore new ways to control harvest, ensure a steady flow of herring throughout the season, and enhance harvesting predictability (due to fewer in-season days out modifications). Specifically, the Draft Addendum presents options to (1) distribute the Area 1A quota using bimonthly, trimester, or seasonal quotas with payback and overage options; (2) change days out regulations including how they are set and how they restrict fishing activity; and (3) modify the frequency of state reporting requirements. Based on input received from its Technical Committee and Advisory Panel, the Section decided to not include options to restrict harvest on juvenile fish in the Draft Addendum because it was determined that the issue needed further analysis and development before being considered as a proposed management measure.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on January 23, 2009, and should be forwarded to Christopher Vonderweidt, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at cvonderweidt@asmfc.org (Subject line: Addendum I).