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<TITLE>ASMFC Releases Tautog Public Information Document for Public Comment: States Schedule Public Hearings for late September/early October</TITLE>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 21, 2015<BR>
PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER, 703.842.0740<BR>
ASMFC Releases Tautog Public Information Document for Public Comment<BR>
States Schedule Public Hearings for late September/early October<BR>
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Arlington, VA - The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Tautog Management Board is seeking public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Tautog. The PID responds to the findings of the 2015 benchmark stock assessment which, unlike previous coastwide assessments, evaluated stock status regionally to reflect differences in life history characteristics and harvest patterns. Based on its endorsed regional approach, the assessment also recommended associated biological reference points to guide management at the regional scale. Since tautog are currently managed on a coastwide basis, the Board initiated the PID to consider a new regional management approach.<BR>
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As the first step in the development of an amendment, the PID seeks to gather information concerning the tautog fishery and to provide an opportunity for the public to identify major issues and alternatives relative to the management of this species. Input received at the start of the amendment development process can have a major influence on the final outcome of the amendment. Issues presented in the PID include FMP goals and objectives, adaptive management, monitoring requirements and illegal fishing of tautog. In addition, in order to streamline the development of the plan amendment, the PID seeks specific input on the selection of regional stock areas for management use.<BR>
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The states of Massachusetts through Virginia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on the PID. The details of those hearings follow.<BR>
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Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries<BR>
Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30 PM<BR>
Fairfield Inn & Suites<BR>
Vineyard Conference Room<BR>
185 MacArthur Drive<BR>
New Bedford, Massachusetts<BR>
Contact: David Pierce<<A HREF="mailto:david.pierce@state.ma.us">mailto:david.pierce@state.ma.us</A>> at 617.626.1532<BR>
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Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management<BR>
Wednesday, September 30th from 6 - 9 PM<BR>
University of Rhode Island Bay Campus<BR>
Corless Auditorium<BR>
South Ferry Road<BR>
Narragansett Rhode Island<BR>
Contact: Jason McNamee<<A HREF="mailto:jason.mcnamee@DEM.RI.GOV">mailto:jason.mcnamee@DEM.RI.GOV</A>> at 401.423.1943<BR>
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Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection<BR>
Thursday, September 24th at 7 PM<BR>
CT DEEP Marine Headquarters<BR>
Boating Education Center (Rear Building)<BR>
333 Ferry Road<BR>
Old Lyme, Connecticut<BR>
Contact: David Simpson<<A HREF="mailto:David.Simpson@ct.gov">mailto:David.Simpson@ct.gov</A>> at 860.434.6043<BR>
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation<BR>
Thursday, October 1st at 6 PM<BR>
Bureau of Marine Resources<BR>
205 North Belle Mead Road<BR>
East Setauket, New York<BR>
Contact: Steve Heins<<A HREF="mailto:Steve.Heins@dec.ny.gov">mailto:Steve.Heins@dec.ny.gov</A>> at 631.444.0435<BR>
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New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife<BR>
Tuesday, September 22nd from 6:30 - 9:30 PM<BR>
Ocean County Administration Building<BR>
Public Hearing Room 119<BR>
101 Hooper Avenue<BR>
Toms River, New Jersey<BR>
Contact: Russ Allen<<A HREF="mailto:russ.allen@dep.nj.gov">mailto:russ.allen@dep.nj.gov</A>> at 609.748.2020<BR>
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Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control<BR>
Thursday, October 8th at 6 PM<BR>
DNREC Auditorium<BR>
89 Kings Highway<BR>
Dover, Delaware<BR>
Contact: John Clark<<A HREF="mailto:john.clark@state.de.us">mailto:john.clark@state.de.us</A>> at 302.739.9914<BR>
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources<BR>
Wednesday, October 7th at 5 - 6:30 PM<BR>
Ocean Pines Library Conference Room<BR>
11107 Cathell Road<BR>
Ocean Pines, Maryland<BR>
Contact: Michael Luisi <<A HREF="mailto:michael.luisi@maryland.gov">mailto:michael.luisi@maryland.gov</A>> at 410.260.8341<tel:%28410%29%20260-8341><BR>
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Virginia Marine Resources Commission<BR>
Tuesday, October 6th at 6 PM<BR>
2600 Washington Avenue, Third Floor<BR>
Newport News, Virginia<BR>
Contact: Rob O'Reilly<<A HREF="mailto:rob.O'reilly@MRC.virginia.gov">mailto:rob.O'reilly@MRC.virginia.gov</A>> at 757.247.2248<BR>
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Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. The PID is available at <A HREF="http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/TautogAm1PID_PublicComment_Aug2015.pdf">http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/TautogAm1PID_PublicComment_Aug2015.pdf</A> and can also be accessed on the Commission website (www.asmfc.org<<A HREF="http://www.asmfc.org">http://www.asmfc.org</A>>) under Public Input. Public comment will be accepted until 5:00 PM (EST) on October 23, 2015 and should be forwarded to Ashton Harp, FMP Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at aharp@asmfc.org<<A HREF="mailto:aharp@asmfc.org">mailto:aharp@asmfc.org</A>> (Subject line: Tautog PID). For more information, please contact Ashton Harp, at aharp@asmfc.org<<A HREF="mailto:aharp@asmfc.org">mailto:aharp@asmfc.org</A>> or 703.842.0740.<BR>
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PR15-29<BR>
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Tina Berger<BR>
Director of Communications<BR>
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission<BR>
1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200A-N<BR>
Arlington, VA 22201<BR>
<BR>
703.842.0740<BR>
tberger@asmfc.org<<A HREF="mailto:tberger@asmfc.org">mailto:tberger@asmfc.org</A>><BR>
www.asmfc.org<BR>
Visit us on Facebook<<A HREF="https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticStatesMarineFisheriesCommission">https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticStatesMarineFisheriesCommission</A>> and Twitter<<A HREF="https://twitter.com/ASMFC">https://twitter.com/ASMFC</A>><BR>
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Vision: Sustainably Managing Atlantic Coastal Fisheries<BR>
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