Lobster Draft Environmental Impact Statement Public Hearings

NOAA Fisheries Service to host public hearings to solicit public comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which analyzes proposed alternatives for management of the American Lobster fishery in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The proposed alternatives are based on recommendations by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in addenda to Amendment 3 of the interstate fishery management for American lobster. The commission recommendations propose establishment of limited access programs (LAPs) to limit future access in two lobster management areas and implementation of individual transferable trap programs in 3 areas. NOAA Fisheries Service would issue implementing regulations according to its authority under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (ACFCMA).

• Public Hearing Schedule
• April 23, 2010 - Permit Holder Letter
• Draft Environmental Impact Statement & Appendices.  Paper copies of the DEIS may be obtained: by writing the Sustainable Fisheries Division, NOAA Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 -- please mark the outside of the envelope Lobster DEIS, or; by E-mail to RequestDEIS@noaa.gov or by Phone at 978-675-2162.
  • E-Mail comments may be submitted by clicking on the following address: LobsterComment@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the e-mail the following document identifier: "Lobster DEIS."
  • Public comments must be received no later than 5 p.m., on June 29, 2010
• Lobster Fishery Management Plan webpage