DOVER, Del.- The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has announced that it will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 21, on a proposed addition to the state's tidal finfish regulations to include definitions and measures designed to control invasive finfish species in Delaware's tidal waters. The hearing will be held in the DNREC Auditorium at 89 Kings Highway in Dover.
DNREC said snakehead fish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, walking catfish and grass carp are invasive finfish species likely to cause environmental and economic harm to native or naturalized species through competition, predation or habitat alteration. The proposed new section in the regulations would formally designate these fish as invasive finfish species; prohibit stocking, possession, purchase, transport or sale of live invasive finfish in Delaware without authorization; and specify fishing equipment and methods to take these invasive finfish.
The hearing record on the proposed addition to tidal finfish regulations will be open to receive public comments from Friday, March 1, through the close of business on Friday, April 5. To submit written comments or request additional information about the proposed addition, please contact DNREC Hearing Officer Lisa Vest by email at lisa.vest@state.de.us, or by sending mail to 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or call (302) 739-9042.
