Northeast Public Hearings Set on Proposed Listing of Atlantic Sturgeon Under the Endangered Species Act

enlarge image Atlantic sturgeon captured during a NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center research survey. Atlantic sturgeon captured alive on the survey are tagged and returned to the water. Credit: NOAA

Related Links Federal Register notice More on the proposed listing More on Atlantic sturgeon

NOAA’s Fisheries Service has scheduled public hearings in four East Coast cities to discuss and take comments on the agency’s proposal to list three populations of Atlantic sturgeon in the Northeast under the federal Endangered Species Act. The Gulf of Maine population is proposed for listing as threatened, and endangered status is proposed for the Chesapeake Bay and New York Bight populations.

The agency is particularly interested in information and comments on abundance and distribution of these fish, viability of and threats to them, and efforts underway to protect Atlantic sturgeon belonging to these populations.

Informational sessions will be held prior to each hearing from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The hearing schedule is:

Portland, Maine
November 3, 2010 7 to 9 p.m.
Eastland Park Hotel, 157 High Street

Newport News, Virginia
November 4, 2010 7 to 9 p.m.
Point Plaza Suites at City Center, 950 J. Clyde Morris Boulevard

Stony Brook, New York
November 8, 2010 7 to 9 p.m.
SUNY Stony Brook, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, 100 Nicholls Road

Wilmington, Delaware
November 9, 2010 7 to 9 p.m.
Doubletree Hotel Wilmington Downtown, 700 North King Street

The agency is accepting written comments as well, through January 4, 2011. These can be submitted using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail or hand delivery. For more information, please visit our website.

NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries Service provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public.

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