Posted on February 17, 2021 Virtual fluke, sea bass & scup allocation webinars start today Tom Fote, of the JCAA. sent along the following: The first two public hearing webinars for the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Commercial/Recreational Allocation Amendment will be held this week, on Wednesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 18. Additional hearings will be held on February 24, March 1, and March 2. All hearings will begin at 6:00 p.m. Written comments may also be submitted through March 16, 2021. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are developing this joint amendment to consider adjusting the allocations of catch or landings between the commercial and recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The amendment also considers options that would allow a portion of the allowable landings to be transferred between the commercial and recreational sectors each year. Wednesday, February 17, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.: Massachusetts and Rhode Island Thursday, February 18 -N.J. Monday, March 1 – Virginia & N.C. Tuesday, March 2 – CT. & N.Y. To register for a public hearing please click here: Public Hearing Registration and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, which can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. When connecting to audio, we strongly encourage participants to use computer voice over internet (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 1-877-309-2074 and enter access code 128-060-916. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. For technical assistance setting up and logging into GoToWebinar, contact Savannah Lewis at 703-842-0715. If you are connected only by phone in listen only mode, you will not show up as a webinar attendee. In the event that there are no webinar attendees, the public hearing will be cancelled unless state staff request that the hearing content is presented. Written Comments Written comments may be submitted through March 16, 2021 by any of the following methods: 1. ONLINE at http://www.mafmc.org/comments/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment 2. EMAIL to kdancy@mafmc.org 3. MAIL or FAX to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council 800 North State Street, Suite 201 Dover, DE 19901 FAX: 302.674.5399 Please include “Fluke/Scup/Sea Bass Allocation Amendmentâ€� in the subject line if using email or fax, or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.Tips for Providing Public CommentWe value your input. To be most effective, we request that your comment include specific details as to why you support or oppose a particular alternative. Specifically, please address the following: Which proposed alternative(s) do you support, and which do you oppose?Why do you support or oppose the alternative(s)?Is there any additional information you think should be considered?ContactsFor additional information and updates, please visit: https://www.mafmc.org/actions/sfsbsb-allocation-amendment. If you have any questions, please contact: Kiley Dancy, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, kdancy@mafmc.org, 302-526-5257Dustin Colson Leaning, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, dleaning@asmfc.org, 703-842-0714The weather isn’t getting any better as northeast winds at 10-15 knots with gusts to 25 are forecast in the morning along with snow before increasing to 15-20 plus gusts to 30 in the afternoon. Snow or rain will add to the fun.