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The Future of Bluefish Management 



Mr. Chairman, you have also asked for comments on the future of bluefish management. 

 Given that the process for developing Amendment 1 is under way it would be presumptuous for 

 me to prejudge what the Commission and Mid-Atlantic Council might decide. It is fairly obvious, 

 however, that some further reductions of fishing mortality, especially fishing mortality on juvenile 

 fish, will be essential. Clearly the need to address both the recreational and commercial sectors of 

 the fishery will make it somewhat more difficult to arrive at fmal decisions, as it does with virtually 

 every fishery with which we deal. We will be pleased to work with the Mid- Atlantic Council to 

 keep the Subcommittee apprised of the fishery management process as it continues to develop 

 throughout 1996. 



Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to be here today. I will be pleased to try to 

 answer any questions that the Subcommittee may have. 



DRAFT:Testin]ony of John H. Dunnigan April I, 1996 



Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans page 8 



