ASMFC Seeks Input on Draft Strategic Plan for 2014-2018
Public Comment Accepted until January 10, 2014

Arlington, VA – The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission releases its Draft Strategic Plan for 2014–2018 for public review and comment.

The Draft Plan revises the Commission’s long-term vision to “Sustainably Managing Atlantic Coastal Fisheries” and proposes seven major goals and related strategies to pursue this vision.

The Strategic Plan will guide the Commission’s activities over the next five years and will be implemented through Annual Action Plans.

The seven goals proposed by the Draft Plan are: 

1. Rebuild, maintain, fairly (equitably) allocate, and promote Atlantic coastal fisheries
2. Provide the scientific foundation for and conduct stock assessments to support informed management actions
3. Promote compliance with fishery management plans to ensure sustainable use of Atlantic coast fisheries
4. Protect and enhance fish habitat and ecosystem health through partnerships and education
5. Strengthen stakeholder and public support for the Commission
6. Advance Commission and member states’ priorities through a proactive legislative policy agenda
7. Ensure the fiscal stability & efficient administration of the Commission

Several Atlantic coastal states will be conducting public input meetings, some of which will be held in conjunction with previously scheduled state advisory meetings.

Following are the currently scheduled meetings.

Contact your respective state agency or check the Commission’s website calendar at http://www.asmfc.org/calendar/ for more information on additional state meetings as they are scheduled.

Maine Marine Resources Advisory Council

January 2014 (date to be determined)
Contact: Patrick Keliher at 207.624.6553

New Hampshire Advisory Committee on Marine Fisheries

December 3, 2013 at 7 PM
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Contact: Doug Grout at 603.868.1095

Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council

December 2, 2013 at 6 PM
URI Narragansett Bay Campus – Corless Auditorium
South Ferry Road
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Contact: Robert Ballou at 401.222.4700

New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council

January 9, 2014 at 4 PM
Galloway Township Public Library
306 E. Jimmie Leeds Road
Galloway, New Jersey
Contact: Brandon Muffley at 609.748.2020

The Draft Strategic Plan is available on the Commission website at www.asmfc.org/files/StrategicPlan/DraftStrategicPlan_PublicComment.pdf.

Public comment must be received by January 10, 2014, 5:00 PM EST and should be forwarded to Deke Tompkins, Legislative Assistant, at 1050 N. Highland, Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; 703.842.0741 (fax) or comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Strategic Plan). 

The Commission is scheduled to take action on the final Plan in February at its Winter Meeting in Alexandria, VA.

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Tina Berger
Director of Communications
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
1050 N. Highland Street, Suite 200A-N
Arlington, VA 22201
703.842.0740
tberger@asmfc.org
www.asmfc.org
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Healthy, self-sustaining populations for all Atlantic coast fish species or successful restoration well in progress by the year 2015