Additional comments sought to aid in whitefish rule development
http://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=3988
STURGEON BAY, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to seek public comments to aid in development of commercial whitefish rules for Lake Michigan.
To provide stakeholders with additional information about the fishery, DNR has posted proceedings and supporting materials from an initial public meeting held May 23 to the department's website at DNR.wi.gov, search "Lake Michigan commercial whitefish."
DNR is in the process of potentially developing a specific rule that better protects spawning whitefish in northern Lake Michigan and may potentially modify commercial fishing zone whitefish allocation or zone structure to better reflect current whitefish abundance and distribution.
The initial meeting served to engage stakeholders with key research findings and provided DNR with important perspectives from commercial and recreational anglers. While many participants at the meeting shared helpful feedback, DNR is extending the comment period for this phase of the project to ensure additional stakeholders have an opportunity to respond.
The comment period will remain open until June 30 for those who were unable to attend the meeting or provide written feedback to date. Send comments via email to David.Boyarski@wisconsin.gov or mail to:
David Boyarski
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
110 S. Neenah Ave Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2865
Over the next month, DNR will consider all the feedback it receives and further develop specific rule proposals that will be discussed at a meeting to be scheduled in July. As the rule making process advances, additional opportunities for feedback will be provided.