NEFMC April 14-15, 2020 – By Webinar – Listen Live, View Documents

April 10, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a two-day meeting by webinar on Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The public is invited to listen live and provide input during designated opportunities for public comment.

IMPORTANT:  This notice contains more information than usual.  Please read carefully and especially take note of:

• The detailed agenda;
• The “helpful instructions” for joining and participating in the webinar;
• The pre-meeting Public Training Webinar on Monday, April 13 at 10:30 a.m.;
• The scallop and groundfish emergency action discussions cited on the agenda; and
• The Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23 public hearing.

WHY IS THE MEETING TAKING PLACE BY WEBINAR:  The Council cannot hold an in-person meeting due to travel restrictions and public safety guidelines associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

START TIME:  The webinar will be activated at 8:00 a.m. each day.  However, please note that the meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns on Tuesday and after the groundfish public hearing is concluded on Wednesday.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at  Listen Live.  There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone, dial +1 (213) 929-4232.  The access code is 771-577-358.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

HELPFUL INSTRUCTIONS:  Here’s what you need to know to successfully join the webinar and provide public comment.

• 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.
• Here is the updated “Remote Participation Guide” with instructions for how to provide oral comments during the webinar meeting.
• Having trouble with the webinar?  We have a Help Line!  Our staff is only a phone call or email away.  Click HERE for assistance once the Council meeting is underway.

PUBLIC TRAINING WEBINAR:  The Council will conduct a Public Training Webinar on Monday, April 13 at 10:30 a.m. in order to: (1) walk through the steps for how the full Council meeting will be conducted; and (2) show participants how to speak and be heard on the webinar during designated public comment opportunities.  Join us for this practice run!