Two ASMFC American Eel Draft Addenda Out for Public Comment

Hello Eel Stakeholders,

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has posted two Draft Addenda related to eels for public comment. The first, Draft Addendum VI, looks to set Maine’s glass eel quota for 2025 and beyond. The second, Draft Addendum VII, considers reductions to the commercial yellow eel coastwide harvest cap.

Draft Addendum VI (Maine’s Glass Eel Quota for 2025 and Beyond)

Maine’s current glass eel quota of 9,688 lbs expires after 2024 and, as a result, a quota needs to be established for 2025 and beyond. While originally considering a quota reduction, the ASMFC Eel Board removed that option from the document at their January meeting. As a result, the Draft Addendum includes one option to maintain Maine’s glass eel quota at 9,688 lbs. There are several options for how long this quota should remain in place.

A copy of Draft Addendum VI can be found HERE.

How to Comment:

ASMFC has scheduled a webinar public hearing on Draft Addendum VI for Wednesday, February 28 from 4-5pm.  To register for the public hearing webinar, please click HERE. The hearing will be held via GoToWebinar. In order to provide comment at the webinar hearing, you will need to use your computer (voice over internet protocol) or download the GoToWebinar app for your phone. Further information on the webinar public hearing can be found HERE.

You can also submit written comments until 11:59PM on March 24, 2024. Comments should be sent to:

Draft Addendum VII (Commercial Yellow Eel Coastwide Harvest Cap)

Draft Addendum VII considers management measures to reduce the commercial yellow eel coastwide harvest cap in response to the 2023 Benchmark Stock Assessment, which found the stock remains depleted.

A copy of Draft Addendum VII can be found HERE.

How to Comment:

ASMFC has scheduled a series of webinar public hearings on February 20, February 27, and March 5. While they are hosted by other states, Maine stakeholders are encouraged to join. Information on the webinar public hearings, including how to register, can be found HERE.

You can also submit written comments until 11:59PM on March 24, 2024. Comments should be sent to:

For questions regarding actions at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, contact Megan Ware at [email protected] or 207.446.0932