The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife will conduct a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m. to consider comments from the public on the proposed revisions to 7 DE Admin. Code 3505 Striped Bass Commercial Fishing Seasons; Quotas; Tagging and Reporting Requirements (Docket No. 2023-R-F-0021).

This proposed revision of 7 DE Admin. Code 3505 Striped Bass Commercial Fishing Seasons; Quotas; Tagging and Reporting Requirements is being proposed to modify the spring anchor gill net season by adding two weeks in February and eliminating two weeks in April and May to better synchronize the spring anchor gill net season with the availability of and market for Striped Bass. This action was recommended in a unanimous motion by the Advisory Council on Tidal Finfisheries at its September 19, 2023 meeting.

The proposed amendments may be inspected online at de.gov/dnrechearings, or in-person, by appointment only, by contacting John Clark by phone at 302-739-9914 or by email at John.Clark@delaware.gov.

The web link to the virtual hearing can be accessed through the DNREC Public Hearings site at dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/public-hearings/. If prompted, use Meeting ID: 836 4525 0188 Passcode: 607330. To access the audio-only portion of the virtual hearing, dial (305) 224-1968 and enter the Meeting ID and Passcode noted above. Closed captioning is available in over 20 languages, including English and Spanish, to attendees via the Zoom platform utilized for all DNREC Public Hearings.

Those wishing to offer verbal comments during DNREC public hearings must pre-register no later than noon of the date of the virtual hearing at de.gov/dnreccomments or by telephone at 302-739-9001.

The Department will accept public comment through the close of business Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Comments will be accepted in written form via email to DNRECHearingComments@delaware.gov, or by using the online form at de.gov/dnreccomments, or by U.S. mail to the following address:

Theresa Smith, Hearing Officer
DNREC — Office of the Secretary
89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901

Related Topics:  commercial fishery, fish and wildlife, permitting and regulation, public comments, public hearing, public notice, striped bass