The following is the text of a news release from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Spiny Dogfish and Coastal Sharks Management Board approved the initiation of Draft Addendum I to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks. Draft Addendum I will propose measures to allow commercial fishermen to remove smooth dogfish fins at sea and eliminate smooth dogfish recreational possession limits. Finning, the act of cutting off the fins and discarding the carcass at sea, will remain prohibited under all options of Addendum I.
In October 2008, the Management Board eliminated a previously established 1,000 pound commercial trip limit for smooth dogfish due to concerns about the impacts of the trip limit to the commercial fishery. Since that time, commercial smooth dogfish fishermen have indicated that requiring all fins to remain naturally attached to the carcass through landing is impractical for such a high volume fishery. Historically, participants have removed fins at sea in order to keep the meat fresh, maximize hold capacity, and increase processing efficiency. Draft Addendum I will also include measures to eliminate recreational possession limits for smooth dogfish.
The Management Board is scheduled to meet in May to review and consider approval of the Draft Addendum for public comment. For more information, please contact Christopher Vonderweidt, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at cvonderweidt@asmfc.org or (202) 289-6400.
