The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Striped Bass Management Board approved Draft Amendment 7, Public Information Document (PID) for public comment. The development of the PID is the first step in the amendment process and seeks stakeholder input about changes observed in the striped bass fishery, potential management measures, and the prioritization of topics to be considered for the Draft Amendment.
The PID considers the following management topics:
- Fishery goals and objectives
- Biological reference points
- Management triggers
- Stock rebuilding targets and schedule
- Regional management
- Management program equivalency (conservation equivalency)
- Recreational release mortality
- Recreational accountability
- Coastal commercial quota allocation
- Other issues raised in public comments
The Board initiated the development of Amendment 7 in response to a number of prominent issues facing striped bass management, including the results of the 2018 Benchmark Stock Assessment which indicated the stock is overfished. The last amendment to the Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan was adopted 18 years ago and the status and understanding of the stock and fishery has changed considerably since then.
A quick summary of topics under consideration can be found here.
Anglers and other interested groups are encouraged to attend New Jersey’s public hearing (webinar) to provide input on the Draft PID. Please see the information below from ASMFC on how to register.
Webinar Instructions
To register for New Jersey’s public hearing please click Public Hearing Registration and select NJ’s hearing (March 25, 2021 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) from the dropdown menu.
Submitting Comments
Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input on the PID either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. More information can be found here.
Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 pm (EST) on April 9, 2021 and should be forwarded to:
Emilie Franke
Fishery Management Plan Coordinator
1050 N. Highland St, Suite 200A-N
Arlington, VA 22201
703-842-0741 (FAX)
or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass PID).
