Scoping Hearings on Federal/Interstate Bluefish Management

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission are seeking public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Bluefish Allocation Amendment.

Massachusetts Scoping Hearing
Wednesday, July 11, 2018, 6:00 PM
Plymouth Public Library, Otto Fehlow Room
132 South Street,
Plymouth, Massachusetts

Contact: Dan McKiernan, 617-626-1536

Internet Webinar
Monday, July 16, 2018, 6:00 PM
To connect, refer to: www.mafmc.org

Contact: Matthew Seeley, 302-526-5262

Written Comment
Due July 30, 2018
Online: www.mafmc.org/comments/bluefish-allocation-amendment
E-mail:
mseeley@mafmc.org,
Subject line: “Bluefish Amendment Scoping Comments”

Mail:
Chris Moore, MAFMC, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901 (Include “Bluefish Amendment Scoping Comments” on the outside of the envelope) Please do not send separate comments to the Council and Commission.

The amendment will involve a comprehensive review of the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan’s (FMP) sectorbased allocations, commercial allocations to the states, transfer processes, and goals and objectives. Specifically, the Council and Commission will consider whether modifications to the FMP’s goals, objectives, and allocation strategies for bluefish 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. In addition to comments on allocation and transfer processes, the Council and Commission are interested in comments on the following topics:

• Fishery productivity
• Ecosystem considerations
• Changes in the fishery
• Changes in distribution of bait fish
• Average fish size
• Changes in availability, effort & marketability
• Impacts of changes observed over time

Learn More: The Scoping Document and additional information is available at: www.mafmc.org/actions/bluefish-allocation-amendment

Contacts:
Matthew Seeley, FMP Coordinator Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council mseeley@mafmc.org, 302-526-5262
Caitlin Starks, FMP Coordinator Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission cstarks@asmfc.org, 703-842-0740