🎣 PUBLIC SPEAKS: 15,000+ COMMENTS DEMAND SCIENCE-BASED CHUB MACKEREL MANAGEMENT

January 1, 2022 - The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) has released its summary of public comments on the Chub Mackerel Amendment, and the message from fishermen, conservationists, and the public is clear: manage chub mackerel as part of the fishery management plan.

With over 15,000 public comments submitted, this represents one of the largest public responses to a fisheries management issue in recent years.

📊 THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE

🎯 WHAT THE PUBLIC IS SAYING

OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR ALTERNATIVE 2

The public comments show near-unanimous support for Alternative 2: Including Atlantic chub mackerel in the Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish (MSB) Fishery Management Plan (FMP).

Who supports this approach:

• ✅ Conservation organizations (including S.A.F.E.)
• ✅ Commercial fishermen
• ✅ Recreational anglers
• ✅ Fishing industry groups
• ✅ Scientific community
• ✅ General public

WHY ALTERNATIVE 2 MATTERS

Including chub mackerel in the MSB FMP means:

1. 📈 Science-Based Management: Annual catch limits based on stock assessments
2. 🛡️ Conservation Protections: Rebuilding plans if populations decline
3. 📊 Data Collection: Improved monitoring and reporting
4. ⚖️ Fair Allocation: Equitable distribution between commercial and recreational sectors
5. 🌊 Ecosystem Approach: Management that considers predator-prey relationships

🐟 WHY CHUB MACKEREL MATTERS

THE ECOSYSTEM ROLE

Chub mackerel (Scomber colias) are:

• 🎣 Important forage fish for tuna, billfish, sharks, and dolphins
• 🔄 Key mid-trophic level species in the food web
• 🌡️ Climate change indicators - their range is expanding northward
• 💰 Valuable commercial species for bait and human consumption

THE FISHERY CONTEXT

• Commercial landings: Approximately 10-15 million pounds annually
• Primary uses: Bait for tuna/lobster fisheries, canned products
• Geographic range: Nova Scotia to Florida, expanding north with warming waters
• Management history: Previously unmanaged at the federal level

📝 S.A.F.E.‘S POSITION

As part of the conservation coalition, S.A.F.E. submitted comments supporting Alternative 2 for these key reasons:

1. PREVENT OVERFISHING BEFORE IT HAPPENS

History shows that waiting until a fishery collapses is disastrous. Proactive management:

• Prevents boom-and-bust cycles
• Maintains stable fishing communities
• Protects ecosystem function

2. SUPPORT DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS

Inclusion in the FMP requires:

• Regular stock assessments
• Improved data collection
• Transparent decision-making
• Scientific peer review

3. PROTECT THE FOOD WEB

Chub mackerel are critical prey for:

• Bluefin tuna - already struggling
• Dolphins and whales
• Seabirds - terns, gannets, shearwaters
• Other commercially important species

4. ADAPT TO CLIMATE CHANGE

As waters warm, chub mackerel are expanding northward. Proper management:

• Tracks distribution changes
• Adapts to shifting populations
• Prevents conflicts between regions

🗳️ THE PUBLIC PROCESS WORKED

FIVE PUBLIC HEARINGS HELD

The MAFMC conducted extensive public outreach:

• Virtual hearings accessible nationwide
• Written comment period extended due to high interest
• Stakeholder meetings with industry and conservation groups
• Clear documentation of all comments received

UNPRECEDENTED ENGAGEMENT

The 15,000+ comments represent:

• Fishermen who depend on sustainable stocks
• Business owners in coastal communities
• Scientists who understand the ecosystem
• Conservationists fighting for marine health
• Concerned citizens who value our oceans

🚨 WHAT HAPPENS WITHOUT MANAGEMENT

THE “GOLD RUSH” SCENARIO

Unmanaged fisheries often follow this pattern:

1. Discovery - New market or technology makes fishing profitable
2. Rush - Fleets expand rapidly with no limits
3. Peak - Maximum catch followed by rapid decline
4. Collapse - Stock crashes, fishery closes
5. Recovery - Decades-long rebuilding (if it happens at all)

RECENT EXAMPLES

• Atlantic menhaden - 88% population decline before management
• New England groundfish - Multiple stock collapses
• Bluefin tuna - Still recovering from overfishing

📈 THE PATH FORWARD

NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS

1. MAFMC review of public comments (completed)
2. Final amendment development incorporating public input
3. Council vote on the amended proposal
4. NOAA Fisheries review and implementation
5. Monitoring and adjustment based on new data

S.A.F.E.‘S CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT

We will:

• Monitor the amendment process
• Advocate for science-based measures
• Engage our membership in future comment periods
• Hold managers accountable for implementation

🤝 A MODEL FOR FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

This process demonstrates that public engagement works. When:

• Agencies provide clear information
• Multiple comment avenues exist
• Stakeholders are genuinely heard
• Science guides decision-making

…we get better fisheries management that serves both ecosystems and economies.

📄 RESOURCES & DOCUMENTS

🎯 TAKE ACTION

STAY INFORMED

1. 📰 Subscribe to MAFMC updates at mafmc.org
2. 📧 Join S.A.F.E.’s newsletter for conservation alerts
3. 📱 Follow NOAA Fisheries for regulatory announcements

GET INVOLVED

1. 🤝 Become a S.A.F.E. member to amplify your voice
2. 🗣️ Participate in future public comment periods
3. 📊 Attend fishery management council meetings (virtual options available)
4. 🎣 Report your chub mackerel catches to improve data

SPREAD THE WORD

Share this article to help others understand:

• Why fisheries management matters
• How public comments influence decisions
• What’s at stake for our oceans

S.A.F.E. - South Atlantic Fishing Environmentalists   Fishermen fighting for sustainable fisheries

Special thanks to the 15,000+ individuals and organizations who participated in this public comment process. Your voices made a difference.

📢 FINAL THOUGHT

The overwhelming public support for science-based chub mackerel management sends a powerful message: Americans care about their oceans and want them managed responsibly.

This isn’t about restricting fishing—it’s about ensuring our grandchildren can enjoy the same fishing opportunities we have today. It’s about recognizing that healthy fisheries depend on healthy ecosystems, and healthy ecosystems depend on proactive, science-based management.

The public has spoken. Now it’s time for managers to listen.

“The best time to manage a fishery is before it needs managing. The second-best time is now.”