DOVER — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed addendum to the interstate fishery management plan for summer flounder at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017 in DNREC’s Auditorium in the Richardson and Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover.

Draft Addendum XXVIII was initiated to consider alternative management approaches for the 2017 recreational summer flounder fisheries to achieve needed harvest reductions due to a decrease in the coastwide recreational harvest limit in 2017.

In August, the ASMFC and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved a 30-percent reduction in the 2017 coastwide recreation limit relative to 2016.

This action was taken in response to the 2016 Stock Assessment Update, which found fishing mortality was higher and population estimates in recent years were lower than previously projected.

Anglers can provide input on the draft addendum either by attending the public hearing or providing written comment.

Draft Addendum XXVIII can be found on the Commission’s website, www.asmfc.org.

Public comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, and should be forwarded to Kirby Rootes-Murdy, Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator, 1050 N. Highland St, Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, VA 22201; or emailed to krootes-murdy@asmfc.org, with “Summer Flounder Draft Addendum XXVIII” in the subject line.