Arlington, VA – Atlantic coastal states from Maine through Georgia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings are attached.
The Draft Addendum proposes a wide range of management options with the goal of reducing mortality and increasing the conservation of American eel stocks across all life stages. Specific management options focus on the commercial (glass, yellow, and silver eel life stages) American eel fisheries. Draft Addendum IV is the second management document to respond to the findings of the 2012 benchmark stock assessment indicating the American eel population in U.S. waters is depleted.
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on Draft Addendum IV by either attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum will be available by June 4th on the Commission website (wwww.asmfc.org) under Public Input or by contacting the Commission at 703.842.0740.
The public comment deadline is 11:59 PM (EST) on July 17, 2014. Comments should be submitted to Kate Taylor, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: American Eel). Final action on the Addendum is scheduled to occur in August. For more information, please contact Kate Taylor at ktaylor@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.