March 2013 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 11. ASMFC 2013 WINTER MEETING SUMMARY


in light of regional issueswasdefeated. For more information, please contact Marin Hawk, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at mhawk@asmfc.orgor 703.842.0740. Motions: Move to recommend to the


Policy Board that the Commission send a letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging expedited reviewand possible action on the importation of all Asian horseshoe crab species. Motion made by Mr. Michels and seconded by Mr. Gilmore. Motion carries unanimously. Move that the staff prepare a resolution in keepingwith the recommendations of the Technical Committee on this issue that encourages the states to take any and allaction to address the importationof Asian horse- shoe crabs. Motion made by Travelstead and seconded by Dr. Daniel. Motion carries unanimously. Move that the State of New- Jersey consider alternate management strategies to a harvest moratorium in- cluding pending legislation due to nega- tive impacts on regional horseshoe crab populationsand concerns with potential ecological and human health issueswith the importation of non-nativespecies. Motion made Mr. Gilmore and seconded by Mr.McElroy. Motion fails (5 in favor, 6 opposed, 3 abstentions).


WINTER FLOUNDERMANAGE- MENT BOARD 20 February


The Winter Flounder Board re- viewedand approved the Winter Flounder Fishery Management Plan Review and Compliance Report for the 2011 Fishing Year. The Board found that all states had managementand monitoring programs consistent withthe FMP requirements. The board also approved Delaware’s request


for de minimis for both the commercial and recreational fi sheries. Draft AddendumIII was considered for public comment. The addendumproposes an annual specifi cation process to set state water’s commercial and recreational measures such as trip limits or seasons in response to changes in the winter fl ounder state water’s quota. The proposedaddendumhad only included mea- sures for the GOM area but the board voted to include the SNE/MA area to ensure a timely response to any changes in the quota by NOAA Fisheries. The Board approved AddendumIII for public comment with this modifi cation. Public hearings will be held in the spring with fi nal consideration ofthe Draft Addendumat the May Board meet- ing. For more information, please contact Melissa Yuen at myuen@asmfc.org or 703.842.0740. Motions: Move to approve the 2012


FMP reviewand state compliance reports and Delaware’s request forde minimis status for both its commercial and rec- reational fi sheries. Motion made by Mr. Augustine and seconded by Mr. Adler. Motion carries. Move to add the Southern NewEngland/Mid-Atlantic stock unit to the Draft Addendum. Motion made by Mr. Simpson and seconded byMr. Augustine. Motion passes unanimously.


AMERICAN EEL MANAGEMENT BOARD 20 February


ASMFCAmericanEelBoardApproves- DraftAddendumIIIforPublicComment The Commission’sAmerican Eel Man- agement Board approved Draft Addendum III to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel for public comment. The Draft Addendum proposes a wide range of management options with the goal


of reducing mortality and increasing the conservation of American eel stocks across all life stages. Specifi c management options focus on both the commercial (glass, yellow, and silver eel life stages) and recreational American eel fi sheries. The document also proposes increased monitoring by the states and recommendationsto improve American eel habitat. Draft AddendumIII responds to the


fi ndings of the 2012 benchmark stock- assessment indicating the American eel population in U.S. waters is depleted.The stockhas declined in recent decades and the prevalence ofsignifi cant downward trends in multiplesurveys across the coast is cause for concern. Causes of decline are likely due to a combination of historicaloverfi shing, habitat loss, food web alterations, predation, turbine mortality, environmental changes, toxinsand contaminants, and disease. Commercial regulations varyby state. Glass eel fi sheries currentlyoccur inMaine


and South Carolina. Signifi cant yellow eel fi sheries occur in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, the Potomac River, Virginia, and North Carolina. Although commercial fi shery landingsand effort in recent times have declined in most regions, current levels of fi shing effort may still be too high given the depleted nature of the stock. States and jurisdictions are required to annually report on commercial harvest and monitor juvenile abundance. The recreational fi shery is cur- rently regulated by a 50 fi sh per day creel limit and a six inch size minimum, although recreational harvest is believed to be low. It is anticipated that the majority of Atlantic coastal states willbe conducting hearings on the Draft Addendum. A subse- quent press release will announce the Draft Addendum’s availability as well as the de- tails of the scheduled hearings. Final action on the Addendumis scheduled to occur in


Continued from Page 12. Help the Families of FOXY LADY II


The Community of Deer Isle-Stonington has established a fund to help the families effected by the disappearance of the F/V FOXY LADY II. Those who wish to show their support may send donations to: Fishermen's Fund


Bar Harbor Bank & Trust 25 Church St


Deer Isle, ME 04627


124 prexar.com


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