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Proposed Bunker Harvest Increase
The ASMFC will be holding its annual meeting on October 23-27 of this year. Of primary importance is the setting of next year’s Atlantic menhaden (bunker) commercial harvest quota. In 2012, the total allowable catch (TAC) was reduced 25% from 2011 landings , in order to rebuild low menhaden stocks due to what ASMFC called “overfishing”. Last year, the TAC was increased by 10%. In their meeting this past summer they were unable to agree on the amounts for next year’s increase, but there was no proposal to cut back on harvest and most favored increases between 5 and 20%. The increases proposed would increase the harvest up to 40% higher than the quotas set in 2012 to bring menhaden numbers back to sustainability of a population that could support the commercial reduction industry, the bait industry, and the bass, bluefish and other gamefish that depend on them. I will be writing a petition and getting contact info for this site and other interested parties and will make them available within the next few days. This issue is extremely important for continuing (or increasing) the quality of our sport. - George
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