NMFS extends Delaware’s deadline for the American Eel Fishery Management Plan

NMFS gives Delaware until March 18, 2016 to comply with the American Eel Fishery Management Plan. Our general Assembly should pass compliance on the bill before deadline.  Let’s hope they manage to do this for the sake of next year. Anglers are lucky the fall fishing will not be affected by this noncompliance.  This should not have happened in the first place, meaning Delaware should have been in compliance all along and not dropped the ball.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) found Delaware out of compliance with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Addendum III to the American Eel Fishery Management Plan (FMP) as of September 18, 2015.  At the request of the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife, NMFS has allowed Delaware’s eel fishery to remain open and given Delaware the longest allowable time of 6 months to March 18, 2016 to comply with the Eel FMP to avoid a moratorium and closure of Delaware’s eel fishery.  The Division of Fish & Wildlife will continue to work with the Delaware General Assembly when it convenes in January 2016 to pass legislation to bring Delaware into compliance with Addendum III.  More information on the NMFS decision can be found at:https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/09/23/2015-24203/atlantic-coastal-fisheries-cooperative-management-act-provisions-american-eel-fishery

Fish On!!

Rich King