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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, NOVEMBER 8, 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" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">States Schedule Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Draft Amendment 3 Public Information Document
<o:p></o:p></span></b></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:9.0pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Arlington, VA – The Atlantic coastal states of Maine through Florida have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on the
Public Information Document (PID) for Draft Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. It is anticipated Delaware will also be conducting a hearing; the details of which will be released when they become available. Information
on the scheduled hearings follows.<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"><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">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">December 13, 2016; 6:15 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><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
</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 207.624.6553<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">*This hearing will immediately follow the Jonah Crab Draft Addendum II hearing<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">December 6, 2016; 7:20 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 Elwyn 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:Douglas.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 603.868.1095<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">* This hearing will immediately follow the Jonah Crab Draft Addendum II hearing<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">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">December 12, 2016; 5:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Bourne Community Center, Room 1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">239 Maine Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Buzzards Bay, 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><a href="mailto:nichola.meserve@state.ma.us"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Nichola Meserve</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 617.626.1531<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">* This hearing will immediately follow the Jonah Crab Draft Addendum II hearing<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">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">December 20, 2016; 6:00PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Thayer Public Library, Logan Auditorium<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">798 Washington Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Braintree, 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><a href="mailto:nichola.meserve@state.ma.us"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Nichola Meserve</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 617.626.1531<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;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">Rhode Island 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;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">December 19, 2016; 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;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">Corless Auditorium, 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:robert.ballou@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Robert Ballou</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 401.222.4700 ext: 4420<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">* This hearing will immediately follow the Jonah Crab Draft Addendum II hearing</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">Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection<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">December 14, 2016; 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">CT DEEP Boating Education Center<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">333 Ferry Road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Old Lyme, Connecticut<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:david.simpson@CT.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">David Simpson</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 860.434.6043<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">*This hearing will precede the Jonah Crab Draft<br>
Addendum II hearing<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 York 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">December 15, 2016; 6:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Freeport Memorial Library<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">144 West Merrick Road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Freeport, New York<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:steve.heins@dec.ny.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Steve Heins</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 631.444.0430
<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">December 8, 2016; 6:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Nacote Creek Marine Law Enforcement Office<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">360 North New York Road, Mile Marker 51<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Port Republic, New Jersey<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:steve.heins@dec.ny.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Russ Allen</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 609.748.2020<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<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">December 7, 2016; 6:00 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Calvary United Methodist Church<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Fellowship Hall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">301 Rowe Boulevard<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Annapolis, 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><a href="mailto:lynn.fegley@maryland.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Lynn Fegley</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 410.260.8285<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">Potomac River Fisheries Commission<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">December 6, 2016; 6:00 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Carpenter Building<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">222 Taylor Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Colonial Beach, Virginia<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:martingary.prfc@gmail.com"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Martin Gary</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 804.456.6935<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">Virginia Marine Resources Commission<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">December 5, 2016; 6:00 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">2600 Washington Ave, 4<sup>th</sup> Floor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Newport News, Virginia<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:rob.O'reilly@MRC.virginia.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Rob O’Reilly</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 757.247.2247<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">North Carolina 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">November 30, 2016; 5:30 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">5285 US Highway 70 West<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Morehead City, 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><a href="mailto:michelle.duval@ncdenr.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Michelle Duval</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 252.808.8013<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">Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission<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">December 1, 2016; 6:00 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Melbourne City Hall Chambers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">900 E. Strawbridge Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Melbourne, Florida<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:jim.estes@myfws.com"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Jim Estes</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 850.617.9622
<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>
<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"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">As the first step in the amendment process, the document seeks input from stakeholders and those interested in Atlantic menhaden about changes observed in
the fishery/resource and potential management measures. Draft Amendment 3 was initiated following Board review and acceptance of the 2015 Stock Assessment and Peer Review report, which found the menhaden resource in good condition -- not overfished nor experiencing
overfishing. Population fecundity, a measure of reproductive capacity, was estimated to be roughly double the threshold value (86.8 trillion eggs). Additionally, total fishing mortality was estimated to be 0.22, below both the fishing mortality threshold
(1.26) and target (0.38). <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">The PID outlines a number of issues in the fishery and solicits feedback on how the resource should be managed. Specifically, the PID presents a suite of tools
to manage the menhaden resource using ecological reference points and provides options to allocate the resource among the states, regions, and user groups. In addition to the specific issues identified in the PID, commenters are welcome to provide input on
all aspects of the fishery and resource, including recommendations for future management.
<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">Stakeholders are encouraged to provide input on the PID either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. The PID can be obtained at</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
</span><a href="http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/AtlMenhadenAmend3PID_PublicComment.pdf"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/AtlMenhadenAmend3PID_PublicComment.pdf</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">or via the Commission’s website,
</span><a href="http://www.asmfc.org"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">www.asmfc.org</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">,</span></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 PM (EST) on January 4, 2017</b> and should be forwarded to Megan Ware, Fishery Management Plan 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;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">comments@asmfc.org</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">(Subject line: Menhaden PID). If your organization is planning to release an action alert related to the Amendment 3 PID, please contact Megan Ware at 703.842.0740 prior
to its release. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">The Management Board will meet at the Commission’s 2017 Winter Meeting to review and consider public comment and provide direction
to staff for items to be included in the Draft Amendment 3. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;text-autospace:none"><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="text-align:center;text-autospace:none">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="right" style="text-align:right;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">PR16-38</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">----------<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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