SMZs approved for Delaware reefs

[clamchucker]

11 for, 3 against and 2 abstain. RA means Regional Administrator, referring to the National Marine Fisheries Service. He will have the final say if this goes forward to a public comment on a Proposed Federal Rule or not.

njdiver thank you. do you know when this public comment period will be?

[njdiver]

njdiver thank you. do you know when this public comment period will be?

It must first be approved by the Regional Administrator of NMFS. Letters to him in advocacy of Delaware's reqest could help the proccess.

[clamchucker]

Thank you again njdiver. Will try to compose a letter and send it.

[seamonkey]

Thanks for the update! please keep up posted. Delaware is a progressive state they were taking subway cars long before everyone else would.

[captnemo]

This is a battle that started long ago. I thought that if nj funds are used they should not have pots on them. The potters thought differently. Thank you for the updates.

[njdiver]

We are not done with this yet. The next step is up to the National Marine Fisheries Service Regional Director, Northeast Region.

3. The Council, following review of the Team's report, supporting data, public comments, and other relevant information, may recommend to the Northeast Regional Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service (RD) that a SMZ be approved. Such a recommendation would be accompanied by all relevant background data.

4. The RD will review the Council's recommendation, and if he concurs in the recommendation, will propose regulations in accordance with the recommendations. He may also reject the recommendation, providing written reasons for rejection.

5. If the RD concurs in the Council's recommendations, he shall publish proposed regulations in the Federal Register and shall afford a reasonable period for public comment which is consistent with the urgency of the need to implement the management measure(s).

http://www.mafmc.org/fmp/pdf/SFSCBSB_Amend_9.pdf

http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1996-11-15/pdf/96-29165.pdf


“If the Council ultimately decides to forward a recommendation for designation to NMFS to implement SMZs through regulation, then a much more in-depth analysis of the consistency of the ultimate recommendation will be conducted.”

http://www.mafmc.org/meeting_materia...13_reduced.pdf



These gentlemen need to hear from us!


John Bullard
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region
National Marine Fisheries Service
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298
Phone: 978-281-9250
Fax: 978-281-9207

Daniel Morris, Deputy RA - 978-281-93