The following is a news release from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:

This release revises New Jersey's public hearing date and time from March 21 (7-10 PM) to April 5 (7-10 PM).

States Schedule Hearings on Atlantic Menhaden Amendment 2 Public Information Document

Arlington, VA - Atlantic coastal states from Maine through Georgia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on the Public Information Document (PID) for Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden.  The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow.

New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife

April 5, 2012; 7- 10 PM

Ocean County Administration Building

101 Hooper Avenue, Public Hearing Room #119 Toms River, New Jersey

Contact: Peter Himchak at 609.748.2020

New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation March 27, 2012; 7 PM Marine Resources Headquarters

205 North Belle Mead Rd, Suite 1

East Setauket, New York

Contact: Steve Heins at 631.444.0435

The Commission's Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved the Public Information Document (PID) for Amendment 2 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden for public comment and review.  As the first step in the development of Amendment 2, the PID presents the current status of the fishery and resource, and solicits public input on  which major issues and alternatives should be included for consideration and analysis in Draft Amendment 2.

The PID's primary focus is to initiate discussion on the timing and implementation of achieving the new fishing mortality threshold (F = 1.32) and target (F = 0.62) reference points recently adopted through Addendum V.  Since fishing mortality in 2008 (the latest year in the assessment) is estimated at 2.28, overfishing is occurring, however, the stock is not overfished. The goal of the new reference points is to increase abundance, spawning stock biomass, and menhaden availability as a forage species. The PID also seeks public input on a more timely and comprehensive catch reporting system, and scopes potential options to be used in managing Atlantic menhaden commercial bait and reduction fisheries as well as recreational fishery.

Alongside the development of Amendment 2, the peer-reviewed stock assessment will be updated with data through 2011 to provide a more recent estimate of fishing mortality.  Results of the assessment update will be used to estimate the harvest reductions needed to achieve the new threshold and target fishing mortality rates.  Therefore, preliminary harvest reductions are provided in the PID but will likely change based on the results of the stock assessment update.

Fishermen and other interested groups are encouraged to provide input on the PID by either attending public hearings or providing written comments. Copies of the PID are available on the Commission website (wwww.asmfc.org) under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at 703.842.0740.   The public comment deadline is 5:00 PM (EST) on April 20, 2012 and should be forwarded to Mike Waine, Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (FAX) or at mwaine@asmfc.org (Subject line: Menhaden PID). 

From Bakers Marina Group, we hope you find this information informative and useful.

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Our goal is to provide our customers with the greatest boating experience! Bakers Marina Group offer our members the longest boating season, April 1st through December 1st. Choose one of our four locations and enjoy free weekend getaways at our other three.

The Bakers Marina Group consists of four marinas:

• Marina on the Bay, Highlands, NJ sits across from Sandy Hook and has access to some of the best fishing in the Northeast. Enjoy adjacent restaurant and nearby shopping.
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• Baker's Basin Marina, Waretown, NJ sits in South Harbor Lagoon with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Willow Point Marina, Greenwood Lake, NY offers a full lake experience with breath taking mountain views.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.bakersmarinagroup.com or contact Tom at 732-504-5196