Striped Bass Stimulus Program - Public Hearings

[Two IF By Sea]

Just a thought , but it says:

"Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum, either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft Addendum can be obtained via the Commission’s website at Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (202) 289-6400. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 1, 2010 and should be forwarded to Nichola Meserve, FMP Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (FAX) or at nmeserve@asmfc.org (Subject line: Striped Bass Addendum II). For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator at (202) 289-6400 or nmeserve@asmfc.org."

Is there an official stance for S-B? Could a single, well written comment letter be produced and "signed" by members and sent in as a group comment and get a little more weight than a bunch of single letters? Or a smaller, summary letter officially from S-B with letters from individuals affiliated with S-B attached? The letter or letters could either be emailed or if S-B members attend the meetings, hand delivered.

Just thinking from my experience with MEPA filings. You see a lot of conservation groups making the comments as one stronger voice. You are also more likely to get a whole bunch of names signing than those people attending a meeting or writing letters themselves. I personally don't understand the issues enough to take a stance either way, but if S-B has a stance, I'd tend to agree with them as they have my best interests in mind on this issue.