ASMFC Public Hearings on Recreational Measures Setting Process Draft Addenda
Applicable to Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Recreational Management
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is seeking public comment on Draft Addenda on the Recreational Measures Setting Process for Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass. The states of Maine through North Carolina have scheduled hearings to gather public input on the Draft Addenda between January 14 and January 29, 2025, and written comments will be accepted through February 15, 2025. A virtual public hearing intended for Massachusetts stakeholders will be held on January 14 at 6:00 p.m. (however, you may attend any hearing). Please refer to the schedule below for more information.
The Draft Addenda consider changes to the process used by the ASMFC and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) to set recreational management measures (bag, size, and season limits) for bluefish, summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The MAFMC is considering an identical set of options through a framework action. The option that is ultimately selected by the ASMFC and MAFMC is intended to replace the currently used Percent Change Approach implemented through the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda, which will sunset at the end of 2025. The Draft Addenda propose five possible options for setting recreational measures. Taking final action on these addenda in 2025 will not implement any specific bag, size, or season limits, but start a new specification process for setting recreational management measures starting with 2026 measures.
The Draft Addenda are available here or on the ASMFC’s Public Input webpage at https://asmfc.org/about-us/public-input. All those interested in the management of summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish are encouraged to provide input either by participating in public hearings or providing written comment. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on February 15, 2025 and should be sent to Chelsea Tuohy, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201; or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Recreational Measures Setting Process).
Hearing Presentation Recording
For those who cannot attend any in-person or virtual hearings, the ASMFC will also post a recording of the hearing presentation on the ASMFC’s YouTube page so that stakeholders may watch the presentation and submit comment at any time during the comment period. This recording will be available by early January with the recording link provided at https://asmfc.org/about-us/public-input.
Public Hearing Schedule
|
Date and Format
|
State/Agency
|
Contact
|
Tuesday, January 14
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
|
Maine Dept. of Marine Resources, New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept., and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
|
|
Wednesday, January 22
Hybrid Hearing
(both in-person and virtual)
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
|
New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Hearing Location:
Marine Resources Headquarters
NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation
123 Kings Park Blvd.
Kings Park, NY 11754
|
|
Thursday, January 23
Hybrid Hearing
(both in-person and virtual)
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
|
Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management
Hearing Location: University of Rhode Island Bay Campus
Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
|
|
Tuesday, January 28
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
|
New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection and Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection
|
|
Wednesday, January 29
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
|
Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and North Carolina Dept. of Environmental Quality
|
|
Please note that in order to comment at the majority of virtual webinar hearings you will need to use your computer or download the GoTo app for your phone. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. In those cases, you can send your comments to ASMFC staff via email or US mail at any time during the public comment period. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 914.614.3221 and enter access code 780-270-796. If you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the hearings.
For all virtual hearings, with the exception of the Rhode Island hearing, please click HERE and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu to register for a public hearing webinar. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, and you can join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software by (clicking here) or via the App store under GoTo. We recommend you register for the hearing well in advance of the hearing since GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the ASMFC at info@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and we will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input at the hearing.
For virtual participation at the hybrid Rhode Island public hearing, the Zoom meeting link is available here. The Meeting ID is 829 4963 3592 and the Passcode is 133906; if calling in dial 301.715.8592.
For more information, please contact Chelsea Tuohy, ASMFC FMP Coordinator, at ctuohy@asmfc.org.
|
