The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are seeking public comment on management options under consideration in the Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment. This amendment contains alternatives to:

• Revise the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) goals and objectives
• Modify the bluefish allocations between the commercial and recreational sectors
• Modify the commercial allocations to the states
• Initiate a rebuilding plan
• Revise the quota transfer processes
• Revise how the FMP accounts for management uncertainty
• Revise the de minimis provisions in the Commission’s FMP

Information to Review and Comment On:

• Council’s Public Hearing Document: An abbreviated version of the amendment which summarizes proposed management options and impacts
• Commission’s Draft Amendment Document: A more comprehensive management document that will resemble the Commission’s final amendment once approved.

Both documents contain identical options for public input, but each have been developed according to each management body’s differing requirements. Commenters should only submit comments on one of the documents.

• Quick Reference Guide: provides an overview of the alternatives under consideration in the amendment
• Bluefish Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment pre-recorded video

Virtual Hearing & Webinar Connection Instructions

Interested members of the public are encouraged to provide oral comments at any of the public hearings.

To register for a public hearing please go to the Public Hearing Registration and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. NJ’s hearing will be held April 8, 2021, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. When connecting to audio, we strongly encourage participants to use computer voice over internet (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input.

Please note: To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 1-866-901-6455 and enter access code 140-544-592. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. For technical assistance setting up and logging into GoToWebinar, contact Dustin Colson Leaning at 703-842-0714.

Written comments may be submitted through April 23, 2021 by any of the following methods:

ONLINE COMMENT FORM

E-MAIL: mseeley@mafmc.org

MAIL: Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director
           Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
           800 North State Street, Suite 201
           Dover, DE 19901

FAX: 302-674-5399

Please include “Bluefish Amendment” in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.

Tips for Providing Public Comment

To be most effective, include specific details as to why you support or oppose a particular alternative. Specifically, please address the following:

• Which proposed alternative(s) do you support, and which do you oppose?
• Why do you support or oppose the alternative(s)?
• Is there any additional information you think should be considered?

Contacts If you have any questions, please contact:

• Matthew Seeley, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, mseeley@mafmc.org, 302-526-5262
• Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714
• Joe Cimino, NJ Marine Fisheries Administration, 609-748-2020

Additional information is available on the Council’s Allocation and Rebuilding Amendment webpage.