The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife will host a public meeting regarding proposed modifications to the ASMFC’s Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, at the Atlantic County Library, 306 Jimmie Leeds Road in Absecon, Galloway Township. Similar meetings are scheduled for Delaware, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia.

The emphasis of one proposal covers the commercial black sea bass fishery. Currently the annual allocation is on a state by state basis. The proposal would continue this allocation scheme into the years 2005 and 2006 with New Jersey’s share at 20% of the coastal quota. There is also an option to extend these shares through 2007.

Other proposals seek to change the Total Allowable Landing (TAL) annual specification process for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass to multi-year specifications that would provide greater regulatory consistency and predictability to the commercial and recreational fisheries. At the meeting, three options will be presented to for review: maintaining the status quo with the TALs set annually; setting the TAL for up to three years without an annual review of the stock condition; or setting the TAL for up to three years with an annual review of the stock condition and the ability to adjust the specifications if necessary.