BRISTOL, PA (August 20) -- On August 28, 2019 from 7-9 p.m. the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will hold a public hearing to obtain comment on proposed changes to the current Atlantic Striped Bass Management Plan. This meeting being held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will be hosted by the Delaware River Fishermen's Association at the Silver Lake Nature Center located at 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, Pennsylvania, 19007.
Atlantic Striped Bass occur in the Atlantic Ocean along the U.S. East Coast and in coastal rivers (including the Delaware and Schuylkill) from Maine to Florida. They are one of the most sought after recreational and commercial species. In May 2019, an updated coastwide stock assessment revealed that Atlantic Striped Bass were "overfished" and "overfishing" was occurring. These are legal terms used to describe the condition of fisheries in need of mandated, short-term and long-term conservation measures.
Reductions in striped bass fishing mortality will need to occur in 2020. As a result, in May 2019, the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board of ASMFC initiated the development of an addendum to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass to consider changes to coastwide commercial and recreational regulations to address overfishing. This Draft Addendum presents background information on the ASMFC's management of Atlantic Striped Bass; the addendum process and timeline; and a statement of the problem. This document also provides management options for public consideration and comment.
The purpose of the public hearing is to explain the addendum, regulation proposals, answer questions and gather public comments on various proposed length limits, bag limits and gear (circle hook) options in advance of the October 2019 meeting of the ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board. Public comments will be considered as ASMFC members decide appropriate coastwide measures for the 2020 fishing season and beyond. Pennsylvania and other states will then adjust their respective regulations accordingly to meet the requirements of the ASMFC decisions.
The ASMFC is an interstate compact of 13 states, including Pennsylvania, chartered by Congress in 1942 to cooperatively and sustainably manage Atlantic coastal fisheries. In Pennsylvania, ASMFC approved Atlantic Striped Bass regulations are in place on the Delaware River, Delaware Estuary and Delaware River tributaries upstream to the limit of tidal influence.
The public is encouraged to attend this public hearing and/or submit comments regarding the Draft Addendum at any time before October 7, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Comments may be submitted at the public hearing or by mail, email or fax. Please use the contact information below.
Mail:
Max Appelman, FMP Coordinator
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
(Subject: Striped Bass Draft Addendum VI)
1050 North Highland Street Suite 200A-N
Arlington, VA 22201 Fax: (703) 842-0741
Email:
comments@asmfc.org
(Subject: Striped Bass Draft Addendum VI)
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Media Contact:
Mike Parker
Communications Director
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
(717)705-7806
michparker@pa.gov