I agree.
I asked about a timeline and was told that if the petition to place the eel on the endangered species list succeeds: 4-6 months. There will be another US F&W meeting on that petition early this year.
Any new addendum to the Federal Management Plan will take 12-18 months UNLESS there is an Emergency Action to the plan which would have an almost immediate effect.
Also found out that an alternative eel bait market will be available this season: lamprey
Almost forgot:
One good thing for those who showed up at this hearing is that ASMFC keeps a list of who attends – when you sign the attendance sheet you’re eligible for a special permit which will allow you to use eels as bait even if they become endangered. That means that #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, Rockhound, and I along with a few others are safe. I'm glad I attended. You guys should have come to this meeting.
DZ