The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is considering changes to striped bass management to reduce fishing mortality to target levels, support stock rebuilding by 2029, and allow managers to respond more quickly to upcoming stock assessments. All proposed changes are detailed here.
A public hearing for the state of New Jersey will be held via webinar on November 15, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Interested anglers and industry leaders can register here for this Wednesday’s hearing (be sure to select November 15 from the dropdown menu).
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) will be holding at least one additional in-person hearing, to be announced shortly. If you are unable to attend any of the public hearings, ASMFC is accepting written comments through December 22, 2023 before 11:59 p.m.
Regardless of whether or not you attend this Wednesday’s webinar or the next in-person meeting, public comments are being accepted for Draft Addendum II to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass. The Draft Addendum considers management measures to reduce fishing mortality to the target and support stock rebuilding by 2029. It also proposes options to allow the ASMFC Striped Bass Board to respond more quickly to upcoming stock assessment updates.
Questions can be directed to 609-748-2020, and for more information visit www.asmfc.org.
