ASMFC Hearing on Draft Addendum 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Winter Flounder
March 30, 2009
The DEP Marine Fisheries Division is hosting a Public Hearing of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to take public comment on draft Addendum 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Winter Flounder.
The Draft Addendum will propose a suite of management measures to reduce fishing including zero possession limits; commercial trip limits; recreational bag/size and seasonal limits; and measures to prevent an influx of effort in state waters.
This action is taken in response to the findings of the 2008 Groundfish Assessment Report Meeting (GARM III), which estimates that the Southern New England winter flounder stock complex is at 9 percent of the target biomass and concludes that overfishing is occurring. Federal management measures, which will significantly reduce fishing mortality in federal waters (3 - 200 miles in the ocean), are pending.
Copies of the Addendum can be obtained via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 202.289.6400.
The Connecticut Hearing will be held at:
7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 14, 2009
DEP Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, CT 06371
I-95, Exit 70, Route 156 south to Ferry Road
in the Education Center located at the rear of the property
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Addendum either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. Public comment will be accepted until 5 pm on April 28, 2009 and must be forwarded to Chris Vonderweidt, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005, 202.289.6051 (fax) or comments@asmfc.org (subject line: Winter flounder). For more information, please contact Chris at 202.289.6400 or contact the DEP Marine Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371, telephone 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 TDD 860.424.3000 and make their request to the receptionist. Requests for accommodation to attend meetings and/or educational programs, sponsored by the DEP, must be made at least two weeks prior to the program date. These requests may be made directly to Marcia Z. Bonitto, ADA Coordinator, via e-mail: Marcia.Bonitto@ct.gov.
(N09-05)
March 30, 2009
The DEP Marine Fisheries Division is hosting a Public Hearing of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to take public comment on draft Addendum 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Winter Flounder.
The Draft Addendum will propose a suite of management measures to reduce fishing including zero possession limits; commercial trip limits; recreational bag/size and seasonal limits; and measures to prevent an influx of effort in state waters.
This action is taken in response to the findings of the 2008 Groundfish Assessment Report Meeting (GARM III), which estimates that the Southern New England winter flounder stock complex is at 9 percent of the target biomass and concludes that overfishing is occurring. Federal management measures, which will significantly reduce fishing mortality in federal waters (3 - 200 miles in the ocean), are pending.
Copies of the Addendum can be obtained via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 202.289.6400.
The Connecticut Hearing will be held at:
7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 14, 2009
DEP Marine Headquarters
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, CT 06371
I-95, Exit 70, Route 156 south to Ferry Road
in the Education Center located at the rear of the property
Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Addendum either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. Public comment will be accepted until 5 pm on April 28, 2009 and must be forwarded to Chris Vonderweidt, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at 1444 ‘Eye’ Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005, 202.289.6051 (fax) or comments@asmfc.org (subject line: Winter flounder). For more information, please contact Chris at 202.289.6400 or contact the DEP Marine Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371, telephone 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 TDD 860.424.3000 and make their request to the receptionist. Requests for accommodation to attend meetings and/or educational programs, sponsored by the DEP, must be made at least two weeks prior to the program date. These requests may be made directly to Marcia Z. Bonitto, ADA Coordinator, via e-mail: Marcia.Bonitto@ct.gov.
(N09-05)