Public Meeting on American Eel January 25
December 7, 2005
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 American Eel Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, at Richard Stockton College, Townsend Residential Life Center, Multi-purpose Room in Pomona, Atlantic County. Similar meetings are scheduled for Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia.
Modifications propose the establishment of a mandatory trip-level catch and effort monitoring program for American eel in order to collect much needed data on this species. Specific options include an eel harvester license/permit by state to target those who harvest eels for use as bait and an eel dealer license/permit for bait dealers.
A complete copy of the proposals can be obtained via the ASMFC’s Web site at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by calling 202-289-6400. Written comments will be accepted only until 5 p.m. on February 7, 2006 and should be addressed to Lydia Munger, FMP Coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; 202-289-6051 (fax); or (e-mail) comments@asmfc.org (Subject Line: American Eel).