October 19, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a special half-day meeting by webinar on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 to: (1) discuss and approve final 2021 Council Priorities; and (2) identify and approve a list of actions responding to the May 7, 2020 Executive Order 13921, Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth.
START TIME: 12:30 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT: The public is invited to listen live and provide input during designated opportunities for public comment.
- The Council’s “Guidelines for Providing Public Comments” can be found here.
- The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration during this webinar meeting is Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
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.
- THIS IS KEY! If you want to speak during opportunities for public comment, you need to: (1) register for the webinar; and (2) actually “join” the webinar. People who call in by telephone without joining the webinar will be in listen-only mode. Those who take both steps – register and then join the webinar – will see the meeting screen and be able to click on a “raise hand” button, which will let the meeting organizer know you want to be unmuted to speak.
- We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way. Phone numbers are listed on the Help Desk Poster, or just email helpdesk@nefmc.org. We’ll get right back to you.
WEBINAR CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (562) 247-8422. The access code is 638-472-965. Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.
AGENDA: All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC October 27, 2020 Webinar Meeting. Additional documents will be posted as they become available.
IMPORTANT GROUNDFISH ITEM UNDER OTHER BUSINESS: The Council will consider making a change to 2020 groundfish priorities under “Other Business.” The change is related to Framework Adjustment 61 to the groundfish plan, which is under development and slated for final action in December. As part of this action, the Council will discuss whether to: (1) add a universal sector exemption pertaining to fishing for redfish; and (2) in exchange, remove an item involving investigating ways to increase Georges Bank haddock utilization. The Council also may discuss other issues as needed under Other Business.
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.