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.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 26, at the Division’s Nacote Creek Law Enforcement Office, Route 9, Mile Post 51 in Port Republic, Atlantic County. Similar meetings are scheduled for Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia.

Draft Addendum XV proposes to establish an allocation program for the increase of approximately 1.3 million pounds in the 2005 commercial summer flounder fishery.

Draft Addendum XVI presents options to address the impacts of delayed implementation of fishery management measures for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass. The addendum presents a suite of management options, including commercial and recreational measures and notification periods for the ASMFC and the states. These options aim to discourage delayed state implementation by requiring “pay back” of the benefits that a state gained as a result of late compliance with an interstate fishery management plan.

Also slated for discussion is the decision to initiate development of Amendment 14 that will comprehensively address all aspects of the summer flounder fishery, including the issue of allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors. Anglers should note that regarding allocation, the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Board along with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will recommend to the National Marine Fisheries Service that it deny United Boatmen’s and Recreational Fishing Alliance’s petition for 50-percent share of the Total Allowable Landings of summer flounder for the recreational sector.