Eel Management Plan - Addendum II

[DZ]

FYI - complicated but looks like changes are coming to the eel fishery.

DZ

American Eel Draft Addendum II Approved for Public Comment States Schedule Hearings for September and Early October


Washington, DC – The Commission’s American Eel Management Board has approved the release of Draft Addendum II to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel for public comment. The Draft Addendum proposes a number of management options to facilitate an increase in the number of adult American eel (also known as silver eel) that are able to out-migrate to the ocean and spawn. Specific options include gear and size restrictions, seasonal closures, and recommendations to protect the upstream and downstream migration of American eel.

Atlantic coastal states have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on the Draft Addendum. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow:


Maine Department of Marine Resources
September 25, 2008; 6:00PM
Natural Resources Service Center
(Behind Maine Department of Marine Resources)
6 Beech Street
Hallowell, Maine
Contact: Terry Stockwell at (207) 624-6553


September 29, 2008; 6:00PM
Ellsworth City Hall (Auditorium)
1 City Hall Plaza
Ellsworth, Maine
Contact: George Lapointe at (207) 624-6553


New Hampshire Fish and Game
October 15, 2008; 7:00 PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at (603) 868-1096

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

September 24, 2008; 7:00 PM
DEP Marine Fisheries Office
333 Ferry Road
Old Lyme, Connecticut

Contact: David Simpson at (860) 434-6043

New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation
September 30, 2008; 6:00 PM
Bureau of Marine Resources Headquarters
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1
East Setauket, New York

Contact: Steve Heins at (631) 444-0433

New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife
October 7, 2008; 8:00 PM
Division of Fish and Wildlife
Marine Enforcement Office
Route 9, Mile Post 51
Port Republic, New Jersey

Contact: Tom McCloy at (609) 292-7794

Delaware Dept. of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
October 6, 2008; 7:00 PM
Richardson and Robbins Building Auditorium
89 Kings Highway
Dover, Delaware

Contact: Roy Miller (302) 739-9914

Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
October 1, 2008; 6:00 PM
Tawes State Office Building
C-1 Conference Room
Annapolis, Maryland
Contact: Keith Whiteford at (410) 643-6785


Virginia Marine Resources Commission
September 17, 6:00 PM
2600 Washington Ave, 4th Floor
Newport News, Virginia
Contact: Jack Travelstead at (757) 247-2247

Potomac River Fisheries Commission

September 23, 2008; 6:30 PM
222 Taylor Street
Colonial Beach, Virginia
Contact: A.C. Carpenter at (804) 224-7148

North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries

October 9, 2008; 6:00 PM
943 Washington Square Mall
Washington, North Carolina
Contact: Jim Vasslides at (252) 948-3878

South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources
October 14, 2008; 6:00 PM
Santee-Cooper Auditorium
1 Riverwood Drive
Monks Corner, South Carolina
Contact: Bill Post at (843) 953-9821

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
October 9, 2008; 6:00 PM
St. Johns River Water Management District
4049 Reid Street (Hwy 100 West)
Palatka, Floria
Contact: Bill Sharp at (850) 487-0580

The Board initiated the Addendum due to continued concern for the American eel population. While the status of the stock is uncertain, the latest stock assessment information indicates the abundance of yellow eel (a juvenile life-stage of the American eel) has declined in the last two decades and the stock is at or near low levels. Further, relative abundance is likely to continue to decline unless mortality decreases and/or recruitment increases. As such, the primary management objective of the Draft Addendum is to facilitate escapement of silver eel on their spawning migration with the intent of halting any further declines in juvenile recruitment and eel abundance.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either through attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum will be available on September 11, 2008, copies can be obtained by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400 or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org <http://www.asmfc.org> under Breaking News. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM on October 16, 2008 and should be forwarded to Kate Taylor, American Eel FMP Coordinator, 1444 'Eye' Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at comments@asmfc.org <mailto:comments@asmfc.org> (Subject line: American Eel). For more information, please contact Kate Taylor at (202) 289-6400 or ktaylor@asmfc.org.