July 17, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC):
Dear Interested Parties:
The New England Fishery Management Council will hold five public hearings and one webinar to solicit comments on draft Amendment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish) Fishery Management Plan.
Any interested party is encouraged to comment on the range of proposed alternatives that would impose limits on the amount of groundfish fishery permits and/or Potential Sector Contribution (PSC) that individuals or groups may hold, as well as other measures that could promote fleet diversity or enhance sector management.
Public hearings will be held at the following locations: Portland, ME; Portsmouth, NH; New Bedford, MA; Mystic, CT; and Gloucester, MA from August 3 through August 18. A webinar for the same purpose is scheduled for August 20. The details are provided here Am.18. Public Hearing Schedule.pdf.
To help with the development of comments, you also will find a summary of all the proposals and the rationale behind them here Groundfish Amend 18. Public Hearing doc.pdf, including details about how to comment. Note, the cover page repeats the hearing schedule. You are in the right place to access the summary document, just scroll down.