The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department will hold a public hearing on proposed marine rules on November 6, 2014, at 7 p.m. at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road in Portsmouth, N.H. The hearing is an opportunity to provide public comment on proposed changes to recreational bag and/or size limits for striped bass.  These changes are being proposed to comply with measures in Addendum IV to Amendment 6 to the Interstate Fishery Management Planfor Atlantic Striped Bass.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Striped Bass Board is scheduled to take final action on Addendum IV at a meeting beginning at 10:15 AM on October 29, 2014, at the Mystic Hilton, 20 Coogan Boulevard, Mystic, Connecticut.  The Draft Addendum proposes new fishing mortality (F) reference points, as recommended by the 2013 benchmark stock assessment, and associated management measures to reduce F to a level at or below the proposed target within one or three years.  It responds to results of the 2013 Atlantic striped bass benchmark assessment indicating  F in 2012 was above the proposed F target, and female spawning stock biomass (SSB) has been steadily declining below the target since 2006. This means even though the stock is not overfished and overfishing is not occurring, SSB is approaching its overfished threshold and stock projections show SSB will likely fall below the threshold in the coming years. In addition, a similar decline has been observed in total harvest.  In response to these factors, the Draft Addendum proposes changes in recreational bag and size limits and reductions in commercial quotas to reduce fishing mortality to the target level.

To view a copy of draft Addendum IV and the meeting agenda CLICK HERE.

For more information, visit asmfc.org. 

Written comments on the new rules may be submitted by November 13, 2014. E-mail to comments@wildlife.nh.gov (please put “Comment on Marine Rules” in subject line); fax to (603) 271-1438; or mail to Executive Director, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301.

Questions about Addendum IV and the ASMFC meeting should be referred to Mike Waine, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at mwaine@asmfc.org.

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state’s fish, wildlife and marine resources and their habitats. For more information about N.H. Fish and Game’s Marine Division, visit wildnh.com/marine. 

FISH ON!

 

fish, Fishing, New Hampshire, Regulations, striped bass

By Sid

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