Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Sharks Management Board has approved Addendum II to the Atlantic Coastal Sharks Fishery Management Plan. The Addendum allocates state shares of smoothhound sharks (also known as smooth dogfish) and changes the maximum fin-to-carcass ratio for smoothhound shark processing-at-sea. The Addendum was developed in anticipation of NOAA Fisheries upcoming federal smoothhound shark quota, establishing state shares to prevent one region from harvesting the quota and excluding other regions (Table 1). The shares were established based on historical landings from 1998-2010. The Addendum also addresses changes to the maximum fin-to-carcass ratio for smoothhound…
Press Releases
-
-
Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Atlantic Herring Section has approved Draft Addendum VI to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Herring for public comment. The Draft Addendum proposes several changes to the management program, including (1) seasonal splitting of the annual catch limit sub-components (sub-ACLs) for Areas 1B, 2, and 3; (2) up to 10% carryover of a sub- ACL for all management areas; (3) the establishment of triggers to initiate the closing of directed fisheries, (4) a research set-aside of up to 3% of the sub-ACLs, and (5) using the annual specification process to set triggers and…
-
Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s American Lobster Management Board approved Addendum XX to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Lobster. The Addendum formalizes measures outlined in an agreement between the offshore lobster fishery and groundfish sector trawl fishermen for bottom sharing in Closed Area II of Georges Bank in order to prevent gear conflicts and to protect large concentrations of egg bearing females. The agreement specifies certain times of year when lobster trap gear and sector trawl fishermen may fish in (or not fish in) certain portions of Closed Area II. The fishing industry developed this…
-
Alexandria, VA – Mr. William J. Goldsborough, Mr. Thomas W. McCloy, Dr. Malcolm M. Rhodes, Mr. Robert E. Ross, Jr., Mr. Wayne Hettenbach, Mr. Patrick Duggan, and Captain Dorothy Thumm were presented the Commission’s Annual Awards of Excellence in Alexandria, Virginia for their contributions to the success of fisheries management along the Atlantic coast. Mr. Goldsborough, Mr. McCloy, Dr. Rhodes and Mr. Ross received their awards in the management and policy category, while Mr. Hettenbach, Mr. Duggan, and Captain Thumm received awards in law enforcement category. “Every year a great many people contribute to the success of fisheries management along the Atlantic coast. The Commission’s Annual…
-
New York & New Jersey May Modify Regulations to Access Additional Fish
-
Arlington, VA – This spring, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will begin work on the 2014 benchmark stock assessment for Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhinchus). The assessment will be used to evaluate the health of the stock and inform the management of this species. The Commission’s stock assessment process and meetings are open to the public, with the exception of discussions of confidential data, when the public will be asked to leave the room. The Commission welcomes the submission of data sources that will improve the accuracy of the assessment. This includes, but is not limited to, data on catch…
-
Arlington, VA – This spring, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will begin work on the 2013 benchmark stock assessment for northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis). The assessment will be used to evaluate the health of the northern shrimp stock and inform the management of this species. The Commission’s stock assessment process and meetings are open to the public, with the exception of discussions of confidential data, when the public will be asked to leave the room. The Commission welcomes the submission of data sources that will improve the accuracy of the assessment. This includes, but is not limited to, data…
-
Arlington, VA – The Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board has released Draft Addendum XXIV to the Summer Flounder Fishery Management Plan for public comment. The Draft Addendum proposes to stabilize 2013 recreational fishing rules for summer flounder close to those that existed in 2012 partly to minimize the reductions facing two states (e.g., New York and New Jersey) and partly to allow for the more equitable distribution of fishing opportunities in the 2013 season. The proposed approach is intended to allow states to capitalize on harvest opportunities that are foregone by states that choose not…
-
Arlington, VA –The Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section has extended the number of allowed landing days for the 2013 northern shrimp trawl fishery. Effective March 13, 2013, the trap and trawl fisheries will be able to land shrimp seven days a week (Monday through Sunday). Additionally, the trap and trawl fisheries will close effective 2359 hours (EST) on April 12, 2013. The Section maintained the requirement to have each fishery close when 85% of its total allowable catch (TAC) is projected to be reached and a 4- day advance notice will be issued prior to the closure of each fishery. Finally,…
Get Hooked on ASMFC News
Dive into the latest updates and catch all the important news by joining our newsletter mailing list. Stay in the loop with meeting agendas, fisheries management news, and more.