|
Bunker
Received this email overnight:
Hello Fellow Anglers,
Thanks to your letters, the The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)
took historic action and implemented the first ever coast wide limit of Atlantic menhaden
landings in state waters!
The ASMFC voted to establish a new fishing mortality threshold and target based on
maximum spawning potential, (MSP) with the goal of increasing abundance, spawning
stock biomass and menhaden availability as a forage species. The new threshold and target
equates to a MSP of 15% and 30% respectively.
Now, the real work begins. This is an awesome start on ecosystem based management
and to make sure that all of our gamefish have a solid forage base. I was at the meeting in
Boston and it felt great to see the overwhelming majority of coastal states recognize how
important menhaden are to the marine ecosystem and to the thousands of recreational
fisherman and the businesses that cater to them. Voting in favor of aggressive management
measures at this time begins the process of securing a healthy forage base for gamefish in
the future.
Three representatives from each state sit on the ASMFC commission and collectively
cast a single vote. The final vote tally was 14-3 in favor of 15/30. Unfortunately, the
representatives from New Jersey, Virginia and the Potomac River Commission strongly
supported a lower 20% target. Important to note that NJ Governer Chris Christie, at the
last moment, directed the NJ commissioners to vote and support Virginia and commercial
interests.
The Angler’s Conservation Network thanks you for your support on this critical issue
and we look forward to working together on this and other issues that effect anglers
from Maine to Florida. With your help, we can grow together and become a very effective
organization and stand up for the future of our sport.
Sincerely,
Capt. Paul Eidman
|
Linear Mode
