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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Please note the RIDEM has not scheduled a hearing for our state but written comments can be submitted to the ASMFC, information on comment period and contact information
can be found below. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, MAY 19, 2016<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"><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:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">ASMFC Releases Smooth Dogfish Draft Addendum IV for Public Comment
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:4.5pt;text-align:center">
<b><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">States Schedule Hearings for late June<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-right:4.5pt;text-align:center">
<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">Arlington, VA – The states of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and North Carolina have scheduled their hearings to gather
public comment on Draft Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks. The details of those hearings follow.<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"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection</span></u></b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><br>
</span></u><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">June 28, 2016 at 7 PM</span></i><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">Marine Headquarters<br>
Boating Education Center<br>
333 Ferry Road<br>
Old Lyme, Connecticut<br>
Contact: </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:colleen.giannini@ct.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Colleen Giannini</span></a></span><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 860.447.4308<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">New York State Department of Environmental Conservation<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">June 28, 2016 at 6:30 PM</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><br>
Bureau of Marine Resources <br>
205 North Belle Mead Road <br>
East Setauket, New York <br>
Contact: </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:Steve.Heins@dec.ny.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Steve Heins</span></a></span><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 631.444.0435<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">New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife<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">June 22, 2016 at 6:30 PM</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><br>
Nacote Creek Marine Law Enforcement Office<br>
360 North New York Road, Mile Marker 51<br>
Port Republic, New Jersey<br>
Contact:</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span>
<span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:russ.allen@dep.nj.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Russ Allen</span></a></span><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 609.748.2037<br clear="all">
<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<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">June 21, 2016 at 3:30 – 5:00 PM</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><br>
Ocean Pines Library Conference Room<br>
11107 Cathell Road<br>
Ocean Pines, Maryland<br>
Contact: </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:michael.luisi@maryland.gov"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Michael Luisi</span></a></span><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 410.260.8341
<br>
<br>
<b><u>North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">June 23, 2016 at 5:00 PM
<br>
</span></i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Dare County Center
<br>
Courthouse Campus <br>
950 Marshall C. Collins Dr. <br>
Manteo, North Carolina <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">
<a href="mailto:Holly.White@ncdenr.gov">Holly White</a> </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">at 252.264.3911<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" style="margin-right:4.5pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">The purpose of the Draft Addendum is to maintain consistency between federal and state FMPs, where possible, and to better incorporate
the intent of the smooth dogfish limited </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">exception
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"> in the Shark Conservation Act of 2010 (SCA) into state regulations.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:4.5pt"><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:4.5pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Under current regulations, commercial fishermen with only a state commercial fishing license can land smooth dogfish with corresponding
fins removed from the carcass. The Draft Addendum proposes to amend the FMP to allow smooth dogfish carcasses to be landed with corresponding fins removed from the carcass as long as the total retained catch, by weight, is composed of at least 25 percent smooth
dogfish. This option is consistent with the federal catch composition requirement, which was included in NOAA Fisheries’ final rule for Amendment 9.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;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">Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Addendum either by attending state public hearings or providing written
comment. The Draft Addendum can be obtained at </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><a href="http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/CoastalSharksDraftAddendumIV_PublicComment.pdf">http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/CoastalSharksDraftAddendumIV_PublicComment.pdf</a>
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">or via the Commission’s website,
<a href="http://www.asmfc.org">www.asmfc.org</a>,</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext">
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">under
<i>Public Input</i>. Public comment will be accepted until <b>5:00 PM (EST) on July 11, 2016</b> 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
</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="mailto:aharp@asmfc.org"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">aharp@asmfc.org</span></a></span><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">(Subject line: Draft Addendum IV).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><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">PR16-15<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>
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