Reference: Proposed Supplement River Herring FMP: Eliminate discretionary herring season, prohibit possession of river herring greater than 6 inches while fishing or boating, and remove alewifes and blueback herring from the mutilated fish rule
Director Daniel:
The Coastal Fisheries Reform Group (CFRG) represents recreational coastal fishermen and supports science-based management of our marine fisheries. Within that purview, we submit the following recommendation to amend the current River Herring FMP to eliminate the discretionary harvest season, prohibit possession of river herring larger than 6 inches, and remove alewifes and blueback herring from the mutilated fish rule. We have reviewed the work of the Advisory Committee and Plan Development Team and agree that these changes are appropriate and consistent with the best management of the river herrings.
To be specific, CFRG supports the proposals in the draft amendment to the river herring plan to eliminate the discretionary harvest season, to implement a rule in joint and coastal waters to prohibit the possession of river herring greater than six inches while fishing or boating, and to remove alewifes and blueback herring from the mutilated finish rule.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this proposal.
Joe Albea – On behalf of the Coastal Fisheries Reform Group
