to do something that cuts back on pubHc input or is not in the in- 

 terest of the local fishermen. So there is a heavy burden as far as 

 I am concerned to convince me that we should continue with this 

 dual management relationship. 



Lastly, I had already expressed to Mr. Saxton and to the various 

 officials that are going to testify here today that I am not in favor 

 and I know Mr. Saxton has said the same thing of moving toward 

 or changing the current regime which is the ten-fish bag limit and 

 I know there is a proposal out there, I guess also from the Atlantic 

 States Marine Fisheries Commission to reduce it to three or to put 

 some minimum size on. 



That is not something that I think is the direction we should be 

 moving at this time and again, if that is the direction that someone 

 is proposing they need to do more to show us why they are even 

 making that suggestion because to me it makes no sense given that 

 we don't have any scientific basis for any kind of management plan 

 right now. 



But the main thing is to listen to the testimony and I guess 

 maybe I am getting ahead of myself here, Mr. Chairman, but I do 

 appreciate the fact that we are having the hearing and believe me, 

 if it wasn't for him it wouldn't be held. You have to understand 

 that. 



[The prepared statement of the Honorable Frank Pallone fol- 

 lows:] 



Statement of Hon. Frank Pallone, Jr., a U.S. Representative from New 



Jersey 



Mr. Chairman, members of the panel: I am pleased to be at Toms River and have 

 this opportunity to address the issue of the management of the bluefish fishery. 



Because of tne tremendous importance that bluefish have in supporting the rec- 

 reational fishing effort in New Jersey, I believe it is vital that the National Marine 

 Fisheries Service (NMFS) acquire a clear scientific assessment for the decline in 

 bluefish stock. This will ensure that correct measures to reverse the decline in blue- 

 fish will be taken. 



I am also concerned about the National Marine Fisheries Service's proposal to 

 place responsibility for managing bluefish under the Atlantic States Marine Fish- 

 eries Commission (ASMFC) and exclude the Mid-Atlantic Council. I understand the 

 need for increased efficiency and reduced government regulations. However, the ad- 

 ditional input that the Mid-Atlantic Council provides to the New Jersey public is 

 a necessity when trying to create a successful management plan with the many in- 

 terests involved. 



It is my opinion that a new FMP needs to be developed jointly by the Atlantic 

 States Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Council with particular focus to 

 the current stock decline and the historic commercial/recreational split. 



Mr. Saxton. Thank you very much, Frank. I appreciate it. Let 

 me just introduce the first panel so they can come forward. Dr. 

 Gary Matlock is Program Management Officer of the National Ma- 

 rine Fisheries Service. Mr. John H. Dunnigan is the Executive Di- 

 rector of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Dr. Jim 

 Gilford is the Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 

 Council and Mr. Robert Dusty Rhodes, Bluefish Committee, Mid- 

 Atlantic Fishery Management Council and if you folks would like 

 to take your places. 



Let me just say for the members of the public and the press that 

 are here, we have two panels this morning, one of scientific experts 

 who are responsible for designing and maintaining management 

 plans for a variety of activities of fishing particularly in the north- 



