September 21, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting by webinar from Tuesday, September 29 through Thursday, October 1, 2020. The public is invited to listen live and provide input during designated opportunities for public comment. The Council still cannot hold a large, in-person meeting due to indoor gathering limitations, travel restrictions, and public safety considerations associated with the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic.
START TIME: 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.
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 (631) 992-3221. The access code is 352-930-778. 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 September 29-October 1, 2020 Webinar Meeting. Additional documents will be posted as they become available.
JOIN THE USITC ROUNDTABLE: At 6:00 p.m. or shortly following the close of Council business on Tuesday, September 29, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) will host a virtual roundtable to gather input from New England fishermen and other industry stakeholders on two topics:
- The impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the U.S. fishing industry; and
- The impacts of seafood imports on U.S. products and markets.
COMMENTS: The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at the New England Council’s webinar meeting is Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
THREE MEETING OUTLOOK: A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is available HERE.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK! COMMITTEE AND ADVISORY PANEL MEETING LINEUP: Here’s what’s on the calendar leading up to the Council meeting. Details are available at each respective link.
- Groundfish Advisory Panel Webinar – Monday, September 21, 2020
- Groundfish Committee Webinar – Tuesday, September 22, 2020
- Herring Advisory Panel Webinar – Tuesday, September 22, 2020
- Scallop Advisory Panel Webinar – Wednesday, September 23, 2020
- Herring Committee Webinar – Thursday, September 24, 2020
- Scallop Committee Webinar – Friday, September 25, 2020