Public hearings are scheduled in June from Georgia to Virginia on proposed options for managing redfish along the Atlantic Coast.

The hearings begin the process of creating Amendment 2 to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission red drum management plan. An overview of the most recent red drum stock assessment, a history of the fish's management, the status of the stock and the proposed recommendations for management have been published in a document available at www.asmfc.org.

Redfish are managed jointly by the commission and the federal South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The commission's first plan was adopted in 1984. It was amended in 1991.

In 2000, a stock assessment was completed showing that the proportion of each year-class of redfish surviving to adulthood (escapement) is greater than in the early 1990s, but it's still considered inadequate to prevent the possibility of a collapse of the stock. Scientists are recommending management changes.

Some of the measures being considered include changes to the bag and size limits and eliminating any harvest of red drum greater than 27 inches.

Public comment will be accepted until June 23. The South Atlantic Board will review the comments in mid-July and choose management options for further development. The Red Drum Plan Development Team will prepare a draft of Amendment 2, followed by another round of public hearings. The board will review the comments then choose the final measures. States would begin implementation upon the plan's adoption by the commission.

Here are the scheduled public meetings. Florida may also conduct a hearing. For more information about Florida, contact Robert Palmer at (850) 487-0554.:


  • June 5 — 6 p.m. Holton's Seafood Restaurant, Interstate 95 and Highway 84, Midway, Ga. Contact: Spud Woodward, (912) 264-7218.

  • June 5 — 6 p.m. Roanoke Island Festival Park Auditorium, 1 Festival Park, Manteo, NC. Contact: Dr. Louis Daniel, (252) 726-7021.

  • June 12 — 6 p.m. Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium, Roosevelt Dr., Pine Knoll Shores, NC. Contact: Dr. Louis Daniel, (252) 726-7021.

  • June 13 — 6 p.m. SC Department of Natural Resources Auditorium, 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC. Contact: Ray Rhodes, (843) 762-5040.

  • June 14 — 7 p.m. Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Fourth Floor Conference Room, 2600 Washington Ave., Newport News, Va. Contact: Jack Travelstead, (757) 247-2247.

  • June 14 — 6 p.m. NC Division of Marine Fisheries, Wilmington Office, Cardinal Drive, Wilmington, NC. Contact: Dr. Louis Daniel, (252) 726-7021.