Meeting Information
The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through Virginia have scheduled hearings to gather public input on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. The Draft Addendum considers options to reduce the Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap (Bay Cap) by up to 50% and distribute the cap more evenly throughout the fishing season. The options aim to alleviate a concentration of effort that may be affecting other fisheries within the Bay and other potential ecological impacts.
Regardless of where a hybrid or virtual hearing is being conducted, all are welcome to participate (the hearing schedule can be found here).
This in-person hearing on Saturday, September 19, 2026, is for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. The hearing will take place in-person at the Northumberland High School, 201 Academic Lane, Heathsville, VA.
Webinar Details
This is an in-person hearing only.
Hearing Presentation Recording
For those who cannot attend any in-person or virtual hearings, the Commission will also post a recording of the hearing presentation on the Commission’s YouTube channel so that stakeholders may watch the presentation and submit comment at any time during the comment process. This recording will be available by early September.
Pending Actions
Action
Status
Contact
- Joe Grist (VA), 757.247.2205
Public Comment
The public is encouraged to submit comments at any time during the public comment period but no later than 11:59 PM (EST) on October 9, 2026. You can access the Draft Addendum, public hearing schedule, and ways to comment on the Atlantic Menhaden Draft Addendum II Action Tracker.
We accept public comment in several forms (at public hearings, an online public comment form, an online public comment survey, and via mail or email) and all forms are equally valued. However, we strongly encourage the use of the public comment survey as it allows users to select specific preferred options in the Draft Addendum and provides space for open-ended comments at the end.
Options for Submitting Comments:
- The public comment survey, which was developed to facilitate the gathering of input on the Draft Addendum’s specific options
- Written comments via Atlantic Menhaden Action Tracker, the public comment form below, or comments@asmfc.org
- Written comments submitted via snail mail to James Boyle, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201
- Verbal comments provided at any of the scheduled public hearings