July 29, 2016 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel (AP) Working Group is scheduled to meet in Boston to discuss using commercial fishing vessels to supplement current stock assessment surveys conducted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.
Date: Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Logan Airport, 100 Boardman Street, Boston, MA 02128
WHAT IS THE WORKING GROUP: The working group was created on June 1 by the Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel specifically to address how best to deploy additional survey capacity using chartered commercial fishing vessels funded by the science center. The science center provides the working group with meeting summaries and reports, and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council provides staff support.
WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA: The working group will receive a short update on upcoming witch flounder work; review the draft “terms of reference” for augmenting current survey efforts; conduct in-depth discussions on the full range of options; and draft recommendations for consideration by the broader Northeast Trawl Advisory Panel. Final AP recommendations will be presented to the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils.