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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 17, 2018<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:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">States Schedule Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Draft Amendment 3
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><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 Draft
Amendment 3 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. 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"><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 Dept. 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">October 5, 2017; 6 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Yarmouth Town Hall<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">200 Main Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Yarmouth, ME<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:patrick.keliher@maine.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Pat Keliher</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"><b><u><span style="font-size:5.0pt;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">October 3, 2017; 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">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, NH<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:cheri.patterson@wildlife.nh.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Cheri Patterson</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"><b><u><span style="font-size:5.0pt;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">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">October 2, 2017; 6 PM<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, MA<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: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"><b><u><span style="font-size:5.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">October 5, 2017; 6 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 2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">239 Main 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, MA<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: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"><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;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">October 4, 2017; 6 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, RI<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="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">
</span><a href="mailto:robert.ballou@dem.ri.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow">Robert Ballou</span></a><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</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">September 11, 2017; 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, CT<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:Mark.alexander@ct.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Mark Alexander</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"> at 860.447.4322<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 Dept. 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">September 12, 2017; 6 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">205 N. Belle Mead Road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">East Setauket, NY<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:james.gilmore@dec.ny.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Jim Gilmore</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">September 13, 2017; 6 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Manahawkin (Stafford Township) Courtroom<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">260 East Bay Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Manahawkin, NJ<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"><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">Delaware 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">September 14, 2017; 6 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">DNREC Auditorium<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">89 Kings Highway<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Dover, DE 19901<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:john.clark@state.de.us"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">John Clark</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 302.739.9914<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 Dept. 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">September 18, 2017; 6 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></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:lynn.fegley@maryland.gov"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Lynn Fegley</span></a><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"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">The hearing will be held in Annapolis, MD.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">The state is working to identify a location.<o:p></o:p></span></i></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">September 19, 2017; 6 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, VA<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<br clear="all">
<b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></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">September 20, 2017; 6 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Northumberland High School<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">201 Academic Lane<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Heathsville, VA<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"><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">September 21, 2017; 6 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 Avenue, 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, VA<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: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">September 27, 2017; 6 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Central District Office<o:p></o:p></span></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, NC<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">September 26, 2017; 6 PM<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Town of Melbourne Beach Community Center<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">507 Ocean Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Melbourne Beach, FL<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: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>
<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:13.5pt"><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:13.5pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Draft Amendment 3 seeks to manage the menhaden resource in a way that balances menhaden’s ecological role as a prey species with
the needs of all user groups. To this end, the Draft Amendment considers the use of ecosystem reference points (ERPs) to manage the resource and changes to the allocation method. In addition, it presents a suite of management options for quota transfers, quota
rollovers, incidental catch, the episodic events set aside program, and the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery cap.
<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:13.5pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">The 2015 Benchmark Stock Assessment Report identified the development of ERPs as a high priority for Atlantic menhaden management.
Menhaden serve an important role in the marine ecosystem as prey for a variety of species including larger fish (e.g. weakfish, striped bass), birds (e.g. bald eagles, osprey), and marine mammals (e.g. humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins). As a result, changes
in the abundance of menhaden may impact the abundance and diversity of predator populations, particularly if the availability of other prey is limited. ERPs provide a method to assess the status of menhaden within the broad ecosystem context. Draft Amendment
3 provides a variety of reference point options, including the continued development of menhaden-specific ERPs as well as the application of precautionary guidelines for forage fish species.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:13.5pt"><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:13.5pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Draft Amendment 3 also considers changes to the allocation method given concerns that the current approach may not strike an appropriate
balance between gear types and jurisdictions. Specifically, under the current allocation method, increases in the total allowable catch (TAC) result in limited benefits to small-scale fisheries, and to several states. Furthermore, the current method may not
provide a balance between the present needs of the fishery and future growth opportunities. Draft Amendment 3 considers a range of allocation alternatives, including a dispositional quota (bait vs. reduction), fleet-capacity quota (quota divided by gear type),
jurisdictional quota, including a fixed minimum quota for each state, and an allocation method based on the TAC. In addition, the document considers five allocation timeframes including 2009-2011, 2012-2016, 1985-2016, 1985-1995, and a weighted approached
which considers both historic and recent landings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:13.5pt"><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 Draft Amendment is available at
</span><a href="http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/AtlanticMenhadenDraftAmendment3_PublicComment.pdf"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/AtlanticMenhadenDraftAmendment3_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 on the Commission 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 style="font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext">,</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">
under Public Input. Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the Draft Amendment either by attending state public hearings or providing written comment. Public comment will be accepted until
<b>5:00 PM (EST) on October 20, 2017 </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;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: Draft Amd. 3). If your organization is planning to release an action alert in response to Draft Amendment 3, please contact Megan Ware at 703.842.0740, so
she can work with you to develop a unique subject line to enable us to better organize and summarize incoming comments for Board review.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:13.5pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:13.5pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Final action on the Amendment, as well as specification of the 2018 TAC, is scheduled to occur on November 14<sup>th</sup> at the
BWI Airport Marriott, 1743 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD. For more information, please contact Megan Ware, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at
</span><a href="mailto:mware@asmfc.org"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">mware@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">or 703.842.0740.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:13.5pt"><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:13.5pt"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">A PDF version of the press release can be found here -
</span><a href="http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/5995e9f9pr37MenhadenDraftAm3_Hearings.pdf"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/5995e9f9pr37MenhadenDraftAm3_Hearings.pdf</span></a><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="center" style="text-align:center;text-autospace:none">
<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black">###<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:black"><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;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow"><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;background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow"><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">PR16-37</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"><a href="mailto:tberger@asmfc.org"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:blue">tberger@asmfc.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="www.asmfc.org"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:blue">www.asmfc.org</span></a><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">Visit us on
</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticStatesMarineFisheriesCommission"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#4472C4">Facebook</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">
and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/ASMFC"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:blue">Twitter</span></a><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"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Vision: Sustainably Managing Atlantic Coastal Fisheries<o:p></o:p></span></i></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:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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