DNREC to Host July 7 Public Hearing on Proposed Revisions to Shad and River Herring Management Plan
June 17, 2008
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife, will host a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 7 in the DNREC auditorium, Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, regarding proposed revisions to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has developed a public information document (PID) as the first step to drafting an amendment in response to the findings of the 2007 benchmark stock assessment for American shad, which indicates that American shad stocks are currently at all-time lows and do not appear to be recovering.
Specific issues addressed are: (1) incorporating the biological reference points and stock restoration goals identified in the 2007 benchmark stock assessment; (2) not increasing directed fisheries for American shad; and (3) restricting fisheries operating on stocks where total mortality is increasing and relative abundance is decreasing. The PID has been developed to address these issues by seeking public comment on the restoration of American shad fisheries and American shad fisheries management.
The PID presents a broad overview of the factors affecting American shad, and 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. Other coastal states including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia will also be holding public hearings on the proposed changes.
Following the initial phase of information-gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a draft amendment for public review. Following that review and public comment, the Commission will specify the management measures to be included in the final amendment. A tentative schedule for the completion of the amendment is included in PID.
Copies of the PID may be obtained by contacting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission at 202-289-6400 or by visiting its website at www.asmfc.org
under Breaking News.
Citizens may address comments in writing to Erika Robbins, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005, fax to 202-289-6051, or email to comments [at] asmfc [dot] org, subject line American shad. Public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, July 25.
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Meeting Set to Discuss Northern Pike Management on Lake Superior
May 20, 2008
BAYFIELD Wis. — A public meeting to discuss the status of northern pike in Lake Superior and potential changes in fishing regulations for the lake will be held in Ashland on June 11.
Fisheries biologists from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will provide survey information on Lake Superior northern pike and allow anglers to voice their opinions on pike regulations.
“We were approached by a group of concerned anglers about changing the northern pike fishing regulations on Lake Superior,” said Mike Seider, DNR fisheries biologist. “They believe that there are fewer large northern pike than in the past and would like to see more conservative regulations.”
Seider added that some potential management options suggested include setting a minimum size limit of 32 or 40 inches with a daily bag limit of one. Any proposed regulations changes would go through a public hearing process and have to be approved by the state Natural Resources Board.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, located at 29270 County Highway G, 2 miles west of Ashland at the intersection of Highways 2 and G. Anyone unable to attend the June 11 meeting may provide written comments by June 20, 2008, via letter, email, or phone or for more information contact: Mike Seider, PO Box 589, 141 South Third Street, Bayfield, WI 54814 715-682-3205 Ext 11 at: Michael [dot] seider [at] wisconsin [dot] gov.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Seider - 715-682-3205 ext 11
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