The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public comments on a 5-year review of the golden tilefish individual fishing quota (IFQ) program. Comments are due by November 17, 2017.
The 2007 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act included new requirements related to the monitoring and review of limited access privilege programs, which includes fisheries managed under IFQ programs. A Fishery Management Action Team that included staff from the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office was formed to conduct this review.
The report was developed to provide the first comprehensive review of the progress of the Golden Tilefish IFQ Program towards achieving the stated goals of reducing overcapacity and eliminating the problems associated with derby fishing. In general terms, it was found that overcapacity has been reduced since the program was implemented, and it appears that derby-style fishing has subsided and that ex-vessel prices have improved under the IFQ system. The review also addresses recent administrative changes to the program, and summarizes future research needs and recommended changes to the program.
The complete program review document is available on the Council’s website at: http://www.mafmc.org/s/golden-tilefish-5yr-review.pdf.
Comments are due by November 17, 2017 and may be sent by any of the following methods:
- ONLINE at http://www.mafmc.org/comments/golden-tilefish-5yr-review
- EMAIL to jmontanez@mafmc.org
- MAIL to Dr. José Montañez, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, Delaware 19901
- FAX to (302) 674-5399
Please include “Golden Tilefish IFQ Review” in the subject line if using email or fax or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.
Please direct any questions about the amendment to José Montañez, jmontanez@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5258.