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</v:background></xml><![endif]--><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 22, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER, 703.842.0740<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:4.5pt;text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>ASMFC American Lobster Board Releases Draft Jonah Crab FMP <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:4.5pt;text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>for Public Comment: <i>States Schedule Hearings </i><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:4.5pt;text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:9.0pt;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Arlington, VA – The states of Maine through Rhode Island and Maryland have scheduled their public hearings to gather input on the Draft Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Jonah Crab. The details of those hearings follow. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:9.0pt;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Maine Department of Marine Resources<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>July 6, 2015; 6-8 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Casco Bay Lines Conference Room<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>56 Commercial Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Portland, Maine<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Contact: </span><a href="mailto:terry.stockwell@maine.gov"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Terry Stockwell</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>at 207.624.6024 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>New Hampshire Fish and Game Department<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>July 7, 2015; 7:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Urban Forestry Center<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>45 Elwin Road <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Portsmouth, New Hampshire<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Contact:</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> </span><a href="mailto:doug.grout@wildlife.nh.gov"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Doug Grout</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>at <span class=displayonly>603.868.1095</span></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>July 8, 2015; 5 – 9 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Fairfield Inn and Suites<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>185 MacArthur Boulevard<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>New Bedford, Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Contact:</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> </span><a href="mailto:dan.mckiernan@state.ma.us"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Dan McKiernan</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>at 617.626.1536<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><br clear=all></span></u></b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>July 9, 2015; 5:30 – 9 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>University of Rhode Island Bay Campus<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>Corliss Auditorium<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>South Ferry Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>Narragansett, Rhode Island<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>Contact: </span><span style='background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'><a href="mailto:mark.gibson@dem.ri.gov"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Mark Gibson</span></a></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow'>at <span class=displayonly>401.423.1935</span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Maryland Department of Natural Resources</span></u></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>June 30, 2015; 4:30 – 7 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Ocean Pines Library<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>1106 Cathell Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Ocean Pines, Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Contact:</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> </span><a href="mailto:craig.weedon@maryland.gov"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Craig Weedon</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>at <span class=displayonly>410.643.4601 ext. 2113</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:9.0pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'></span><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:9.0pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>The Jonah Crab FMP was initiated in response to concern about increasing targeted fishing pressure for Jonah crab, which has long been considered a bycatch in the lobster fishery. However, growing market demand has increased landings by 6.48 fold since the early 2000s. The majority of crab are harvested by lobstermen using lobster traps. With the increase in demand for crab, a mixed crustacean fishery has emerged that can target both lobster or crab or both at different times of year based on slight legal modifications to the gear and small shifts in the areas in which traps are fished. The mixed nature of the fishery makes it difficult to manage a Jonah crab fishery completely separate from the American lobster fishery without impacting the number of vertical lines and traps capable of catching lobster in state and federal waters. A complete picture of the Jonah crab fishery in federal and state waters is difficult to ascertain due to the mixed nature of the fishery. In the absence of a comprehensive management plan and stock assessment, increased harvest of Jonah crab may compromise the sustainability of the resource.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:9.0pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:9.0pt'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>The Draft Jonah Crab FMP presents management objectives, proposed regulations to the commercial and recreational fisheries, monitoring requirements, and recommendations for federal waters fisheries. The proposed options seek to address the following issues: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The crab resource is not directly regulated in federal waters but is rather regulated incidentally by the American lobster regulations. There are no crab specific regulations in federal waters or permit/license requirements. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>There are no minimum size protections for Jonah crab, nor are there regulations to protect spawning biomass, including restrictions on the harvest of females or egg carrying females.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Supermarkets and other major buyers are positioning to discontinue selling processed and whole Jonah crab unless it is managed sustainably which would impact the ex-vessel price. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A lack of universal permit and reporting requirements makes it difficult to characterize catch and effort to the full extent in order to manage the fishery <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>A Jonah crab trap is not distinguishable from a lobster trap making it difficult to independently manage crab and lobster fisheries. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Symbol'>·</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Because crab traps are similar in design and function to lobster traps, but are not specifically regulated, there may be implications with the lobster fishery and marine mammal interactions compromising the effectiveness of the Large Whale Take Reduction and Lobster plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft FMP either by attending public hearings or providing written comments. The Draft FMP can be obtained at <a href="http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/DraftJonahCrabFMP_PublicComment.pdf">http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/DraftJonahCrabFMP_PublicComment.pdf</a> or via the Commission’s website, </span><a href="http://www.asmfc.org"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>www.asmfc.org</span></a><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>,</span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> under <i>Public Input</i>. Public comment will be accepted until <b>5:00 PM (EST) on July 24, 2015</b> and should be forwarded to Megan Ware, FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at </span><a href="mailto:comments@asmfc.org"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>comments@asmfc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> (Subject line: Jonah Crab FMP). For more information, please contact Megan Ware at </span><a href="mailto:mware@asmfc.org"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>mware@asmfc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> or 703.842.0740.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='text-align:right'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>PR15-18</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>----------<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Tina Berger<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Director of Communications<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200A-N<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Arlington, VA 22201<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>703.842.0740 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><a href="mailto:tberger@asmfc.org"><span style='color:blue'>tberger@asmfc.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><a href="www.asmfc.org"><span style='color:blue'>www.asmfc.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Visit us on </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#4472C4'><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticStatesMarineFisheriesCommission"><span style='color:#4472C4'>Facebook</span></a></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ASMFC"><span style='color:blue'>Twitter</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'>Vision: Sustainably Managing Atlantic Coastal Fisheries</span></i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>