Weakfish Draft Addendum I Approved for Public Review & Comment
Addendum to Address Stock Decline
In response to a significant decline in stock abundance, the Commission’s Weakfish Management Board has approved sending forward Draft Addendum I to Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Weakfish for public review and comment. Concern over declining commercial and recreational catches requires the Board to consider reductions in recreational bag limits, commercial and recreational seasons, and bycatch allowances.
The Draft Addendum also addresses a major challenge in assessing the weakfish population, namely significant gaps in biological data such as age and length. It proposes new required levels of biological sampling intensity and considers the implications of state noncompliance.
The Board will meet in early November to review public comment on the Draft Addendum and consider its final approval. The addendum process provides the states the opportunity to conduct hearings on the proposed actions. Information on any scheduled hearings will be released once it becomes available.
Copies the Draft Addendum will be available by early September and can be obtained via the Commission’s website at
co******@as***.org
(Subject line: Weakfish). For more information, please contact Braddock Spear at (202)289-6400 or
bs****@as***.org
.
Tina Berger
Public Affairs Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1444 I Street. NW, Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202)289-6400
FAX: (202)289-6051
Email:
tb*****@as***.org
www.asmfc.org
Weakfish Draft Addendum I Approved for Public Review & Comment
Addendum to Address Stock Decline
In response to a significant decline in stock abundance, the Commission’s Weakfish Management Board has approved sending forward Draft Addendum I to Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Weakfish for public review and comment. Concern over declining commercial and recreational catches requires the Board to consider reductions in recreational bag limits, commercial and recreational seasons, and bycatch allowances.
The Draft Addendum also addresses a major challenge in assessing the weakfish population, namely significant gaps in biological data such as age and length. It proposes new required levels of biological sampling intensity and considers the implications of state noncompliance.
The Board will meet in early November to review public comment on the Draft Addendum and consider its final approval. The addendum process provides the states the opportunity to conduct hearings on the proposed actions. Information on any scheduled hearings will be released once it becomes available.
Copies the Draft Addendum will be available by early September and can be obtained via the Commission’s website at
co******@as***.org
(Subject line: Weakfish). For more information, please contact Braddock Spear at (202)289-6400 or
bs****@as***.org
.
Tina Berger
Public Affairs Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1444 I Street. NW, Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202)289-6400
FAX: (202)289-6051
Email:
tb*****@as***.org
www.asmfc.org