November 26, 2024 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting from Tuesday, December 3 through Thursday, December 5, 2024. This will be an in-person meeting coupled with a webinar option for individuals who cannot or prefer not to attend in person. Please participate remotely if you do not feel well.
LOCATION: Hotel Viking, Newport, Rhode Island.
START TIME: 9:00 a.m. all three days. The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.
COUNCIL PUBLIC OUTREACH: Join the Council on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. for an informational exchange to foster open lines of communication among Council members, staff, industry, and meeting attendees. The event will be held at the Hotel Viking just outside of the Council meeting room. All are welcome. Light snacks will be provided.
SEPARATE SPECIAL EVENT – NOAA WORKSHOP: After the Council adjourns on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and NOAA Office of Law Enforcement will conduct a workshop at roughly 6:00 p.m. titled “Ensuring a Safe Work Environment for Observers.” This workshop will be held in person at the Hotel Viking with a webinar option. More information is posted here. The New England Council is not involved in the workshop, but NOAA Fisheries scheduled the event at the same hotel to facilitate participation by fishermen and others who are attending the Council meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The Council wants to hear from you. Here’s how you can let the Council know what you think.
- WRITE A LETTER: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Please note that written comments must address items listed on the agenda for this meeting.
- TALK TO THE COUNCIL: You’ll be able to address the Council directly through two different avenues:
- By commenting on motions at the discretion of the Council chair (if commenting remotely, raise your hand on the webinar and unmute yourself when called upon); and
- By speaking during the open period for public comment. Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.
- OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: On Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 1:45 p.m., the Council will offer the public an opportunity to provide comments on issues relevant to Council business but not listed on this agenda. Given the Council’s busy meeting schedule, we ask that you limit remarks to 3-5 minutes.
-
- SIGN UP: Interested in speaking? If attending in person, fill out the sign-up sheet on the table at the entrance to the Council meeting room. To speak remotely, email Janice Plante at jplante@nefmc.org to get on the list.
WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live. There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.
- Here are instructions in the Remote Participation Guide for successfully joining and participating in the webinar.
- We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way. Just email helpdesk@nefmc.org and we’ll get right back to you.
CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone without joining the webinar, dial +1 (914) 614-3221. The access code is 457-670-203. Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply. This phone number provides a “listen-only” option without the webinar component. You will not be able to speak if you do not first join the webinar.
AGENDA: All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC December 3-5, 2024 meeting webpage. Additional documents will be posted as they become available.
THREE MEETING OUTLOOK: A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is available HERE.
COUNCIL MEETING QUESTIONS: Anyone with questions prior to or during the Council meeting should contact Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.