Contact: Scott Smullen             FOR IMMEDIATERELEASE
                                   4/4/96

MARYLAND COMPLIES WITH FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN; COMMERCE DEPARTMENT CANCELS PLANNED FISHING BAN

The U.S. Commerce Department today canceled a proposed ban on fishing for weakfish in Maryland state waters because the state is now complying with an interstate fishery management plan to conserve the overfished species, the department announced today.

Commerce Department marine fisheries officials decided against implementing the ban that was to take effect April 15, and praised the state for quickly complying with the weakfish fishery management plan of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Each coastal state is responsible for implementing and enforcing the Commissionžs interstate fishery management plan measures in their respective waters for certain fish that swim along the East Coast. Maryland missed deadlines late last year for implementing specific fishing net mesh sizes, and therefore was found out of compliance with the Commissionžs weakfish management plan. The Commerce Department gave the state four months to comply with the measures.

Commercial and recreational fishermen target weakfish in East Coast waters from Massachusetts to Florida. Fishermen catch about 3.1 million pounds of weakfish annually, but marine fisheries scientists believe millions more could be taken if weakfish stocks continue to be managed to a healthy state. In 1994, commercial fishermen brought 280,000 pounds of weakfish worth $282,000 into Maryland ports. Fishing is expected to resume this spring when weakfish return to Maryland waters.