HARRISBURG, Pa. (September 23) – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), in partnership with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC), invites the public to participate in a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Plan. This is an in-person meeting with a webinar option for remote listening.
The in-person gathering will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Delaware River Fishermen's Association’s Silver Lake Nature Center located at 1306 Bath Road, Bristol, Pennsylvania, 19007.
Those interested in listening to the meeting remotely can register for the webinar by using this link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5391857038667150943.
The purpose of this public hearing is to provide an overview of Addendum III, discuss potential management measures, answer questions, and gather public comments on the various options in advance of the October 2025 meeting of the ASMFC Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board.
Public comments will be accepted at the in-person meeting only. These comments will be considered as ASMFC Board members decide appropriate coastwide measures for the 2026 fishing season and beyond. Pennsylvania and other states will then adjust their respective regulations accordingly to meet the requirements of the ASMFC decisions.
In August 2025, an updated coastwide stock assessment with finalized Marine Recreational Intercept Program (MRIP) effort data determined that the probability of rebuilding the stock to the Spawning Stock Biomass target by the 2029 deadline as set forth by Amendment 7 was less than 50%. As a result, the Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board of ASMFC initiated the development of an addendum to Amendment 7 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass to consider changes to coastwide commercial and recreational regulations. The intent of management actions proposed in this document is to increase the likelihood of stock rebuilding by 2029. Addendum III presents background information on the ASMFC's management of Atlantic Striped Bass; the addendum process and timeline; and a statement of the problem. This document also provides management options for public consideration and comment.