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 changes to the ASMFC’s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Herring. The hearing is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, October 20 at 251 Beach Avenue (Congress Hall) in Cape May. Modifications were developed to enable the resource to maintain its abundance level while balancing existing and new demands on the fishery. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut will also hold public meetings on these issues.

Modifications were developed to enable the resource to maintain its abundance level while balancing existing and new demands on the fishery. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut will also hold public meetings on these issues.

The majority of these meetings (including New Jersey’s) will be held jointly with the New England Fishery Management Council as it solicits public input on its Federal Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan.

A copy of the commission’s proposed changes may be obtained via their Web site at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by calling 202-289-6400. Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on November 7, 2005 and should be forwarded to Fishery Management Plan Coordinator Ruth Christiansen at 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005, faxed to 202-289-6051 or e-mailed to comments@asmfc.org (use subject line: Atlantic Herring).