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MAY 10, 2006 ASMFC Board Approves Addendum XVI to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Plan The Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board has approved Addendum XVI to the Fishery Management Plan. The Addendum addresses issues of delayed implementation of required management measures for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries. It provides a species-specific mechanism of ensuring that states meet their obligations under the plan in a way that minimizes the probability that a delay in complying does not adversely affect other states' fisheries or the conservation of the resource. The measures promote the long-term conservation of summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The Addendum responds to an ISFMP Policy Board directive to its management boards to improve the states' implementation of all interstate fishery management plans (FMPs). Summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass management programs have been given the highest priority since these species FMPs have repeatedly been affected by delays in implementation of required regulations. This has limited the effectiveness of the management program and adversely affected the timely conservation efforts of other states. The Addendum establishes a mechanism to ensure states meet their obligations under the management program and provides disincentives to minimize delayed implementation of required management measures. The Addendum addresses delayed implementation of both commercial and recreational fishing measures. In the commercial fishery, season closures will be used to address delays in implementing size and trip limits, while quota adjustments will address harvest overages. For example, if a state does not implement appropriate minimum fish sizes for the first two weeks of the fishing season, in the following year the season would be closed for the first two weeks of the season. In the recreational fishery, season closures will be used to address delays in implementing size limits, possession limits, and seasons. For example, if a state does not implement appropriate possession limits for the first two weeks of the fishing season, in the following year the season would be closed for the first two weeks of the season. The addendum also deals with the timeliness of the notification period for management changes. Copies of the Addendum will be available by June 1 via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400. For more information, please contact Toni Kerns, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202) 289-6400 or tkerns@asmfc.org.
************************* PRESS CONTACT: Tina Berger Atlantic Coastal States Schedule Public Meetings Washington, DC – Atlantic coastal states from Maine to Florida have scheduled their public meetings in order to gather public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Coastal Sharks. The dates, times, and locations of those meetings follow: North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Georgia Division of Coastal Resources Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Maryland Department of Natural Resources New York Department of Environmental Conservation Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries New Hampshire, Connecticut and Delaware have declined to hold public meetings. The remaining states (Maine, New Jersey and Virginia) may still schedule public meetings; information of these meetings will be released as they become available. As the first step in the development of an interstate FMP, the PID presents a broad overview of the issues facing Atlantic coastal sharks and the fishing industry. It provides the public with the opportunity to tell the Commission about changes observed in the fishery, things that should or should not be done in terms of management, regulation, enforcement, research, development, and enhancement, and any other concerns about the resource or the fishery as well as the reasons for those concerns. Please note that the PID focuses entirely on Atlantic coastal sharks (see table below). This species complex does NOT include spiny dogfish, as such, commenters are asked to direct their input on those species under consideration for inclusion in the PID. Management Unit (36) Shark Species Included The PID and subsequent FMP are being developed to help coordinate the conservation and management of coastal sharks among the Atlantic coastal states and between the states and the federal government. Currently, Atlantic coastal sharks are managed by individual states in inshore waters (0 – 3 miles from shore) and by the federal government through the 1999 Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks in offshore waters (3 to 200 miles from shore). Cooperation between federal and state governments in developing coordinated conservation measures is important to successful domestic management of coastal shark species because range, migrations, mating and pupping areas overlap state and federal jurisdictions. Many coastal species utilize highly productive bays and estuaries within state waters as nursery habitat. In addition, because the unique nature of shark biology (late maturity, low fecundity) makes shark species more susceptible to overfishing, traditional fisheries management methods become less effective. Following the initial phase of information-gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a draft FMP with preferred management measures identified for public review. Following that review and public comment, the Commission will specify the management measures to be included in the new FMP. A tentative schedule for the completion of the FMP for Atlantic Coastal Sharks is included in PID. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID, either through attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on July 14, 2006 and should be forwarded to Ruth Christiansen, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; 202-289-6051 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Coastal Sharks). For more information, please contact Ruth Christiansen at 202-289-6400. LICENSE RENEWAL PACKAGES ARE IN THE MAIL MOREHEAD CITY – Spring is the time for renewal – for trees, for flowers and commercial fishing licenses. Beginning in May, commercial fishermen can renew their licenses via the mail or by visiting any of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries offices in Elizabeth City, Columbia, Wanchese, Washington, Morehead City and Wilmington. Approximately 9,000 license renewal packages have been mailed to commercial fishermen for the upcoming commercial fishing year, which begins July 1, 2006. The applications are already filled out - fishermen just have to review them, make needed corrections, and return the forms and the payment by mail, or in person, to any DMF office. License holders are encouraged to take advantage of the convenient mail-in renewal process to avoid waiting in line. If fishermen renew their licenses through the mail by June 15, they should receive their new licenses prior to July 1. Fishermen who choose to renew their applications in person are reminded to bring in current licenses and photo identification. All DMF license offices will be closed Tuesday, May 23, so staff may attend a training workshop. For more information about N.C. commercial fishing licenses, please call 252-726-7021 or 888-254-2024 (toll free). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 1, 2006 PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER (202)289-6400 ASMFC Releases Coastal Sharks PID for Public Comment The Commission's Spiny Dogfish & Coastal Sharks Management Board approved release of the Public Information Document (PID) for the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Coastal Sharks for public review and comment. As the first step in the development of an interstate FMP, the PID presents a broad overview of the issues facing Atlantic coastal sharks and the fishing industry. It provides the public with the opportunity to tell the Commission about changes observed in the fishery, things that should or should not be done in terms of management, regulation, enforcement, research, development, enhancement, and any other concerns about the resource or the fishery as well as the reasons for those concerns. The PID can be obtained via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. It is anticipated that the majority of coastal states will be conducting public meetings on the PID; information on those meetings will be released once they become finalized. The PID and subsequent FMP are being developed to help coordinate the conservation and management of coastal sharks among the Atlantic coastal states and between the states and the federal government. Currently, Atlantic coastal sharks are managed by individual states in inshore waters (0 to 3 miles from shore) and by the federal government through the 1999 Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks in offshore waters (3 to 200 miles from shore). Cooperation between federal and state governments in developing coordinated conservation measures is important to successful domestic management of coastal shark species because range, migrations, mating and pupping areas overlap state and federal jurisdictions. Many coastal species utilize highly productive bays and estuaries within state waters as nursery habitat. In addition, because the unique nature of shark biology (late maturity, low fecundity) makes shark species more susceptible to overfishing, traditional fisheries management methods become less effective. Following the initial phase of information-gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a draft FMP with preferred management measures identified for public review. Following that review and public comment, the Commission will specify the management measures to be included in the new FMP. A tentative schedule for the completion of the FMP for Atlantic Coastal Sharks is included in PID. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID, either through attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on July 14, 2006 and should be forwarded to Ruth Christiansen, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 'Eye' Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Coastal Sharks). For more information, please contact Ruth Christiansen at (202) 289-6400. FISHERIES LICENSE OFFICES TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE MAY 23 MOREHEAD CITY - The Division of Marine Fisheries’ license offices in Elizabeth City, Columbia, Wanchese, Washington, Morehead City, and Wilmington will be temporarily closed on Tuesday, May 23, so staff may attend a training workshop. The offices will resume regular office hours on May 24. Contact: Nancy Fish, Marine Fisheries MOREHEAD CITY – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a meeting May 22 at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City, beginning at 10 a.m., to discuss future relations with other fisheries management organizations. The level of dissatisfaction with federal and interstate fisheries management expressed by some commercial and charter boat fishermen has reached the point where the MFC has decided to examine North Carolina’s relationship with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the National Marine Fisheries Service. The ASMFC is a compact of 15 Atlantic coast states coordinating conservation and management of near shore migratory fisheries. The NMFS manages and regulates fisheries occurring in federal waters. The meeting is open to the public. See Agenda
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