Notice of Hearing
The Department of Natural Resources announces that it will hold a public hearing on an emergency rule EmR 2114 to revise NR 25 relating to Lake Michigan whitefish management. In accordance with s. 227.17, Wis. Stats., the DNR is seeking public comment and feedback on EmR 2114 at the time and virtual location shown below. Hearing Information
Date: June 21, 2021
Time: 4 p.m.
Virtual Location Link: Online by Zoom link or by phone at 13126266799, meeting ID 87859872071# Rule Information: This emergency rule provides for additional harvest of lake whitefish in Zone 1 of Green Bay and implements associated regulations in Green Bay to ensure that this additional harvest is sustainable and does not threaten populations of species susceptible to becoming bycatch, such as walleye and other game fish species. The Green Bay lake whitefish population supports a commercial fishery as well as a sport fishery, which has been increasing in popularity in recent years. The components of this rule aim to provide additional commercial harvest opportunities while maintaining the quality sport fishery for whitefish and preventing detrimental impacts to populations of game fish that may be caught as bycatch in whitefish netting operations. This rule also requires electronic harvest reporting for Green Bay whitefish commercial fishers.
Accessibility
For the hearing or visually impaired, non-English speakers, or those with other personal circumstances which might make communication at the meeting/hearing difficult, DNR will, to the maximum extent possible and with reasonable advance notice, provide aids including an interpreter, or a non-English, large-print, or recorded version of hearing documents. To access these resources, please contact the email address or phone number listed below as soon as possible.
Appearances at the Hearing and Submittal of Written Comments
Comments on the proposed rule must be received on or before June 21, 2021. Written comments may be submitted by U.S. mail, E-mail, or through the internet and will have the same weight and effect as oral statements presented at the public hearing. Written comments and any questions on the proposed rules should be submitted to:
Department of Natural Resources
Attn: Meredith Penthorn, FH/4
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis:
This rule is likely to provide an economic benefit to small commercial fishing businesses that target whitefish in Green Bay due to the quota increase in Green Bay, and, by extension, the businesses that purchase whitefish or their parts to sell to consumers. The exact amount that each commercial fisher may gain due to the increased quota is unknown. Currently, nine commercial fishing licensees actively fish for whitefish in Green Bay, and additional commercial fishers may be able to purchase quota in Green Bay to be able to fish, thereby benefitting from this increase.
However, since commercial fishers would be required to utilize the electronic fish harvest reporting system to report whitefish and bycatch catch, this rule may have a very minimal impact on some fishers. While some commercial fishers already possess a phone or computer to enter the harvest reports, others may not own such technology and would either have to purchase it or ask someone else to assist in entering the information. Two licensees that fish for whitefish in Green Bay may or may not have an electronic device such as a computer or smartphone to report electronically, and four licensees transfer whitefish quota to other fishers, so the recipients of the quota may or may not have an electronic device. Assuming $120 per year as the cost for a basic, inexpensive smartphone with a limited data plan, the estimated total cost to commercial fishers without electronic devices is $720 or less.
The rule will not directly impact sport fishing businesses, but sport fishing businesses and anglers may have a perception of increased user conflict due to additional commercial fishing effort in Green Bay. Since the Green Bay fishery is a shared fishery between sport and commercial fishers, close monitoring of the impacts of the increased Zone 1 quota through this rule will be important for ensuring that the welfare of sport fishing businesses is also protected.
The proposed rule would not contain any design or operational standards for commercial fishers.
Agency Small Business Regulatory Coordinator:
Emma Esch (608) 266-1959
