The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife (Division) has announced the schedule for upcoming public hearings regarding the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Striped Bass Management Board approved Draft Addendum VI for public comment.
All meetings are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and will run until 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 3
Roselle Park Borough Hall
110 East Westfield Avenue
Roselle Park, NJ 07204
Wednesday, September 4
Ocean City Public Library
1725 Simpson Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
Thursday, September 12
Bay Avenue Community Center
775 East Bay Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
The Addendum was initiated in response to the results of the 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment which indicated fishing mortality is too high and spawning stock is too low and proposes management options for both commercial and recreational sectors in order to end overfishing and reduce fishing mortality to the target level in 2020. The proposed measures include reduced quotas for commercial fisheries and changes in bag limits, minimum size limits, and slot limits for the recreational sector. Options for the use of circle hooks when fishing with bait to reduce release mortality are also included.
Full state-by-state schedule of meetings announced by ASMFC on August 21, 2019.
In Pennsylvania, the PA Fish & Boat Commission has set their striped bass public hearing next Wednesday.
August 28, 2019
7 p.m. Silver Lake Nature Center
1306 Bath Road
Bristol, Pennsylvania
Contact: Andrew Shiels at 814-359-5181
In Delaware, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will host their public hearing next Thursday.
August 29, 2019
6 p.m. DNREC Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware
Contact: John Clark at 302-739-9914
Final approval of the Draft Addendum is expected at the October Management Board meeting.
Anglers and other interested groups are encouraged to attend New Jersey’s public hearings to provide input on the Draft Addendum.
For additional information, view the ASMFC New Release.
Those unable to attend the hearings should submit written comments by 5 p.m. on September 27, 2019 to: Max Appelman Fishery Management Plan Coordinator 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N Arlington, VA 22201 703-842-0741 (FAX) OR comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Draft Addendum VI)
Contact Heather Corbett with any questions at heather.corbett@dep.nj.gov 609-748-2025.
See the full suite of options for striped bass management at The Fisherman.
