With changes to the striped bass regulations looming in the coming 2026 season, it is important that anglers across the Northeast attend the upcoming striped bass hearings to have their voices and concerns heard regarding the state of the fishery and the impact of the potential regulatory changes. Anglers all along the Atlantic Coast are getting their chance to weigh in on how the ASMFC will manage the species during a series of public hearings being held through September 30, 2025.
These hearings will be used to gather public input on Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass, which considers management measures to support rebuilding the stock by 2029. The Draft Addendum also addresses commercial tagging programs, a coastwide definition of total length for size limit regulations, and changes to the Maryland recreational season baseline.
The following are the meetings still to take place in and around New England, as of publication date of this edition of The Fisherman:
Monday, September 22 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
In-Person Hearing
New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation Region 3 Headquarters
21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz, NY
Contact Gregg Kenney at Gregg.kenney@dec.ny.gov or by calling 845-256-3199
Thursday, September 25 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
In-Person Hearing with Virtual Listen-Only option.
Note: This is an in-person hearing with a listen-only option available via webinar, scan the QR code to find the list of webinar links.
At the Hilton Boston/Woburn, salons C, D and F.
2 Forbes Rd. Woburn, MA
Contact Nichola Meserve at nichola.meserve@mass.gov or by calling 978-290-1672
Monday, September 29 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
General Public Hearing Webinar
The webinar registration link can be found by scanning the accompanying QR code with your smartphone or device. Contact Emilie Franke at efranke@asmfc.org or by calling 703-842-0716
Tuesday, September 30 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
In-Person Hearing with Virtual Listen-Only option
Note: This is an in-person hearing with a listen-only option available via webinar, scan the QR code to find the list of webinar links.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Admiral’s Hall
101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA
Contact Nichola Meserve at 978-290-1672
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 3, 2025.
There are four ways to submit comments:
- Written comments should be emailed to comments@asmfc.org
- The public comment form at surveymonkey.com/r/Z3WLHF3, which was developed to facilitate the gathering of input on the Draft Addendum’s specific options
- Mailed written comments addressed to Emilie Franke, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201
- Verbal comments provided at any of the scheduled public hearings
For more information, please contact Emilie Franke at efranke@asmfc.org.
