The DEP Marine Fisheries Division is hosting a Public Hearing of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to take public comment on draft amendments to fishery management plans (FMP) governing American shad, scup and striped bass.

Draft Addendum XX to the Scup FMP concerns transfer mechanisms for commercial summer period scup quota between states within a given year. Currently, the FMP only provides guidance for transfers between one individual state and another. This addendum proposes alternatives that would facilitate transfer of unused quota from several states to other states requiring quota in a single action. Connecticut commercial fishermen benefited from such an action in 2009 when an inadvertent summer period quota overage occurred. By coordinating transfers of unused summer quota from donor states to recipient states like Connecticut, fishing opportunity in 2010 was preserved in a conservation neutral way. This Addendum would establish standard procedures for multi-state transfers as was done in an ad hoc fashion in 2009.

Draft Addendum II to the Striped Bass FMP proposes to allow rollover of unused commercial quota for one year. If approved, the Addendum would allow a state that does not catch 100% of their commercial quota in one year to take that unused quota the following year.

Draft Amendment 3 to the American Shad FMP considers new restrictions, including closures, in the commercial and recreational fisheries for this species; timelines for implementation and requirements for monitoring.

Copies of the Public Hearing Documents for these proposed management actions are available at www.asmfc.org by selecting "Breaking News" and then selecting the document of interest or by contacting DEP Marine Fisheries as provided below.

The Hearing will be held at:

For further information, contact the DEP Marine Fisheries Division by email: dep.marine.fisheries@ct.gov, P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or by telephone at 860.434.6043 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

The DEP is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.  In conformance with the ADA individuals with disabilities who need information in an alternative format, to allow them to benefit and/or participate in the agency's programs and services, should call (860) 424-3051 or (860) 418-5937 and make their request to the AAO staff person.  Requests for accommodations to attend meetings and/or educational programs, sponsored by the DEP, must be made at least two weeks prior to the program date.

(N09-23)