Eel Update?
 

Have there been any updates on the status of the eel fishery for 2007?

ditto

I am pretty sure that the states are required to implement a plan to collect more data starting in January of 2007. However, I think there were exceptions until summer for some states, can't remember the details. I'll see what I can find out, but I think basically nothings happening except for more required reporting by harvestors and more evaluation of current data by the people who do that kind of thing. There are no broad changes in regs on a coast wide scale.

Wait and See...
 

Eel Management board (ASMFC) meets on January 29 to hear presentations on the stock assessment (basic message of the assessment is from limited data it appears that eels need greater regulations). The agenda says that the board will “Possibly Initiate Management Action.” The management options that will be presented are basically gear restrictions (smaller openings in eel pots) and 30-day closures to correspond with eel downstream migrations.

As far as the federal Endangered Species process, the regional FWS scientists sent their 12-month findings off to DC back in December, and they could be published in the federal register any day or not for a while… nobody seems to know. Once they are published, it is a 60-day public comment period before they are listed or not.