ASMFC Considering Plan To Increase Commercial Harvest Of Striped Bass (10/01/2010) Despite protest from the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and its allies in the recreational fishing sector, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) surprised everyone in the angling community earlier this year by voting to include a proposal to increase commercial striped bass harvest within Draft Addendum II for public hearings.
The purpose of the draft addendum is specifically to consider options to increase the coastal commercial quota of striped bass and revise the definition of striped bass recruitment failure. The RFA is opposed to increasing the commercial striped bass harvest.
After several public hearings held throughout the Atlantic States during the summer, public comments to the ASMFC are officially due by the end of the day today, October 1, 2010. Fishermen and other interested groups who've not yet commented are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum by providing written comments via fax directly to Nichola Meserve, FMP Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Addendum II).
The RFA has posted a letter which members can use in PDF form at
www.joinrfa.org/press/StripedBassCommentsDue100110.pdf - simply download and print the letter, sign, fill out your contact information and fax today before 5 PM (EST) to (202) 289-6051.
If you'd like to protect future striped bass stocks, make sure your comments are received today before the 5 p.m. deadline!
