The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) have scheduled a series of public hearings to gather public input on the Commission’s Draft Addendum XXXIII and the Council’s Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment. This addendum and amendment consider alternative approaches for allocating the coastwide black sea bass commercial quota among the states. Please see the hearing announcement, the Council’s public hearing document, or the Commission’s Draft Addendum XXXIII for additional information.
Comments may be provided during the seven webinar-based public hearing webinars to be held October 8-29 or submitted in writing via email, mail, fax, or online form through November 13.
Tips for Providing Public Comments
We value your input, and to be most effective we request that your comment include specific details as to why you support or oppose a particular proposed management option. Specifically, address the following:
Which proposed options/sub-options do you support, and which options/sub-options do you oppose?
Why do you support or oppose the option(s)?
Is there any additional information you think should be considered?
Hearing Schedule
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all hearings will be conducted via webinar, with designated hearings for individual states and regions. You are encouraged to participate in the hearing for your state or region; however, all hearings are open to all individuals. Hearings will be hosted by the Commission on the GoToWebinar platform. Participants must connect through the GoToWebinar. Please make sure to carefully read the webinar connection instructions provided in the section below.
Virginia - Thursday, 10/8/2020, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
North Carolina - Tuesday, 10/13/2020, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Delaware and Maryland - Wednesday, 10/14/2020, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Connecticut and New York - Thursday, 10/15/2020, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
New Jersey - Tuesday, 10/27/2020, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Rhode Island - Wednesday, 10/28/2020, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Massachusetts - Thursday, 10/29/2020, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Webinar Connection Instructions
To register for a public hearing please click here: Public Hearing Registration. As part of the registration process, you must select the date and time of the hearing you wish to attend (see Table above).
In order to comment during the hearings you will need to use your computer or download the GoToWebinar app for your phone. You can join the webinar through your computer, tablet, or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software here or in the App store by searching “GoToWebinar.” We recommend you register for the hearing well in advance. GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the Commission at info@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and they will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input at the hearing.
To attend the webinar in listen only mode, you may dial this number: 562.247.8422; Access Code: 412-241-258. Please note that those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to speak. In those cases, you can send your comments to staff via email, mail, or fax at any time during the public comment period.
Can’t Attend a Hearing? Submit Written Comments:
In addition to providing comments at any of the scheduled hearings, written comments will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on November 13, 2020 and may be sent by any of the following methods:
MAIL to Caitlin Starks, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201
FAX to 703.842.0741
EMAIL to comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Black Sea Bass Addendum XXXIII)
All comments will be made available to both the Commission and Council for consideration; duplicate comments do not need to be submitted to both bodies.
Learn More
The Council’s public hearing document and Commission’s Draft Addendum are available at the links below.
A recording of the hearing presentation will be posted on the Commission’s YouTube channel in late September. A link to the recording will be posted at https://www.mafmc.org/actions/bsb-commercial-allocation when it is available.
Contact
For more information, please contact Caitlin Starks, ASMFC FMP Coordinator, at cstarks@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740.