I was pleased when I looked at the meeting schedule for the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for 1996. The Commission instead scheduled it at Philadelphia Airport. I didn't object because Philadelphia is not a long drive from most parts of New Jersey and citizens of New Jersey would be able to attend a days meeting without having to give up more than one days work. I was upset because Virginia is the southern most range for Tautog. Norfolk is almost as far south and east as you can get in Virginia.
New Jersey is almost the northern limit for being able to drive to Norfolk in one day.
There will be two public hearings as stated earlier on weakfish this month to take comment on Amendment 3. Listed on page 14 of this issue you will find the options available for this plan. Read through these before going to the hearing so you will be able to make informed comments. For recreational fishermen, there is a glaring omission in this draft plan and all of the options. That is the restoration of the recreational fishery at historic participation levels, something that must be done if a recreational fishery for weakfish is to ever be re-established.