From the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

Washington, DC – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Weakfish Management Board will meet September 28, 2009, at 9:30 AM (EST) via conference call to review and consider approval of Draft Addendum IV to Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Weakfish for public review and comment. The Draft Addendum, developed in response to all time low stock abundance, will propose a range of options to reduce fishing mortality, including complete harvest moratoria and limited bycatch only fisheries.

It is anticipated that the majority of states will be conducting public hearings on Draft Addendum IV in October; a press release will be issued on those hearings once the information is available. The Board will meet again in November to consider public comment and take final action on the Draft Addendum. Under Commission procedures, the Board may opt to implement the Addendum under emergency action, with approved measures taking effect immediately upon Board action.

The public is invited to join the call and public comment will be taken as time permits. Please go to the Commission website under Meetings (http://www.asmfc.org/meetings.htm) for instructions to join the call. For more information, please contact Nichola Meserve, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, at (202)289-6400 or <nmeserve@asmfc.org>.
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Tina Berger
Public Affairs Specialist
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1444 I Street. NW, Sixth Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202)289-6400
FAX: (202)289-6051
Email: tberger@asmfc.org
www.asmfc.org

ASMFC Vision: Healthy, self-sustaining populations for all Atlantic coast fish species or successful restoration well in progress by the year 2015.

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