January 2008
Attention: Everyone in our watershed who cares about the River Herring! Even if you cannot attend in person, note that written comments will be accepted until January 28th.
6:30 PM, Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Plymouth Harbor Radisson
180 Water Street, Plymouth
Contact: Shannon Davis at 617/626-1621
The PID and subsequent amendment are being developed in response to concerns regarding the status of river herring stocks. While many populations of blueback herring and alewife, collectively known as river herring, are in decline or remain depressed at stable levels, lack of fishery-dependent and independent data makes it difficult to ascertain the status of river herring stocks coastwide.
Between 1985 and 2004, commercial landings of river herring dropped by 90% from 13.6 to 1.33 million pounds. In 2006, Commission member states reported river herring landings of approximately 1.4 million pounds. In response to declining stocks within their own waters, four statesMassachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and North Carolinahave closed their river herring fisheries. River herring stocks are a multi-jurisdictional resource occurring in both rivers and coastal waters. The PID has been developed to address these concerns by seeking public comment on whether the management program is adequate to ensure survival and enhancement of depressed stocks or the maintenance of presently stable stocks.
Following the initial phase of information-gathering and public comment, the Commission will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop a draft amendment for public review. Following that review and public comment, the Commission will specify the management measures to be included in the final amendment. A tentative schedule for the completion of the Amendment 2 is included in PID.
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Public Infomation Document, either through attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org
If you are not able to attend this hearing, you may send a written comment by January 28th to Erika Robbins
Sixth Floor
Fisheries Management Plan
1444 'Eye' Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 289-6051 (FAX)
or at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Links:
http://savethetaunton.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Calendar.eventDetail&eventId=308&nodeID=1
http://www.asmfc.org/
Projects & Events