FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           CONTACT: Josh Vlasto
February 4, 2010                                             (202) 380-5990

SCHUMER URGES COMMERCE SECRETARY TO SCRAP OUTDATED SALTWATER SURVEY DATA FOR THIS YEAR AS BAD DATA COULD FORCE UNFAIR CUTS IN FISH QUOTAS FOR LI IN 2010

If Current Data Is Used to Monitor 2010 Quotas, Crucial Black Sea Bass Fishery Could Again See Dramatic Shutdown in NY – Flawed Data Forced Premature Closure in 2009, Hammering Fishing Community and Hurting Local Economy

Schumer Calling on Department of Commerce, NOAA, and NMFS To Issue Moratorium on Flawed Data Used to Develop Fishing Quotas for LI Waters

Schumer: Continuing To Use Faulty Data To Establish Fishing Quotas is Irresponsible and Deeply Impacts Essential LI Fishing Industry

2009 was another busy year for fisheries issues. Responsible recreational anglers spoke up and said “no” to commercial striped bass fishermen who demanded more fish. We supported an extension to the cap on the menhaden catch by the “reduction fleet,” and we sought additional protections for depleted weakfish and winter flounder stocks. These are just a few of the highlights from the year’s issues; there were many others along the way.

Thanks ASMFC

The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board met in November to review the results of the 2009 update stock assessment, and consider Draft Addendum II for final approval. The draft addendum proposed options to allow unused coastal commercial quota to be rolled over to the subsequent year. This addendum was proposed in the interests of commercial anglers who stated that a significant portion of their annual striped bass tag allotment goes unused.

2010 Recreational Fishery Management Measures:

December 15, 2009 The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) met last week and adopted the 2010 recreational fishery management measures for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass.