The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has scheduled a series of scoping hearings to collect public comments prior to the development of Amendment 15 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) fishery management plan (FMP). MSB Amendment 15 will consider adding river herrings (blueback and alewife) and shads (American hickory) as Council-managed species under the existing MSB plan or under a new plan. Additional background information about the issue and amendment is available on our MSB Amendment 15 page
Scoping is intended to help the Council identify issues, potential impacts, and reasonable alternatives related to an issue. It is the first and best opportunity for the public to make suggestions or express concerns before amendment development begins. You may attend any of the scoping hearings to provide comments, or you may submit written comments by December 5, 2012.