April 23, 2019 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council has a busy schedule between now and its June 11-13, 2019 meeting in So. Portland, ME. Here is a list of the key Committee and Advisory Panel (AP) meetings that currently are posted on the Council’s calendar.
GROUNDFISH: Several groundfish-related meetings are in the queue.
- Groundfish Monitoring Review – A sub-panel of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet in Providence, RI on Wednesday and Thursday, April 24 and April 25 to conduct a review of the groundfish monitoring analyses behind draft Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Meeting materials can be found at SSC Sub-Panel Review.
- Groundfish Party/Charter Listening Sessions – The Council still has several listening sessions on the calendar to collect public input on whether or not it should pursue limited access in the groundfish party/charter boat fishery. The remaining sessions are scheduled for: April 23 in Narragansett, RI; May 7, 8, and 9 respectively in Chatham, Plymouth, and Gloucester, MA; and May 10 via webinar. The meeting lineup and background information are posted at potential party/charter limited access.
- Groundfish Committee, Groundfish Advisory Panel, and Plan Development Team – All three of these bodies will meet jointly in So. Portland, ME on Monday and Tuesday, May 20 and May 21 to review the SSC Sub-Panel’s groundfish monitoring review findings and to discuss Amendment 23. Information will be available shortly at joint groundfish meeting.
SKATES: The Skate Committee will meet on Thursday, April 25 in New Bedford to discuss Amendment 5 to the Northeast Skate Complex FMP, which proposes to limit access into the fishery. Documents are available at skate limited access. The Skate Advisory Panel met on April 23 in advance of the Committee.
- Skate Advisory Panel and Skate Committee – Both the AP and Committee will meet again respectively on Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22 in Providence, RI. Save the dates.
HABITAT: The Habitat Committee will meet on Thursday, May 9 in Foxborough, MA to discuss: (1) research planning efforts for the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area; (2) a fishing effects model; (3) offshore energy issues; and (4) more. Visit habitat meeting for additional information.
SCALLOPS: The Scallop Committee has several meetings in the pipeline.
- Scallop Advisory Panel and Plan Development Team – The AP and PDT will meet jointly on Tuesday, May 21 in Providence, RI for a Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program “Share Day.” Information will be posted as it becomes available at Scallop RSA Share Day.
- Scallop Advisory Panel – The AP will meet again the following day, Wednesday, May 22, in the same location.
- Scallop Committee – The Committee will meet on Thursday, May 23, wrapping up this three-day sweep of scallop meetings, all of which will take place at the Hilton Providence
ATLANTIC HERRING: The Herring AP and Herring Committee will meet back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday, May 29 and 30, respectively. Save the dates.
ECOSYSTEM-BASED FISHERY MANAGEMENT (EBFM): The EBFM Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 28 in Quincy, MA and likely will meet again on Monday, June 10. Save the dates.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: The Council’s Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 29. More information will become available as the date draws near.
MEETINGS BY OUR PARTNERS: The following are additional meetings that may be of interest to New England stakeholders.
- MAFMC STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING: The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 24 in Narragansett, RI to gather feedback on the development of its 2020-2024 Strategic Plan. Additional meetings are scheduled for New Jersey, Virginia, and via webinar. Details are available at MAFMC Strategic Plan.
- ATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION (ASMFC): ASMFC will meet April 29-May 2 in Arlington, VA. Visit the commission’s 2019 Spring Meeting webpage.
- DOLPHIN WAHOO: The South Atlantic Council has scheduled two webinars on May 7 and May 9 to gather public comments on whether it should add bullet and frigate mackerel as ecosystem components to the Dolphin Wahoo FMP. This plan extends along the entire East Coast and includes federal waters off New England. Learn more at Dolphin Wahoo.
- COUNCIL COORDINATATION COMMITTEE (CCC): The CCC, comprised of the leadership teams from all eight of the nation’s regional fishery management councils, will meet May 14-16 in Charleston, SC. The agenda and webinar links are posted at May 2019 CCC Meeting.
- NORTHEAST REGION COORDINATING COUNCIL (NRCC): The NRCC will meet May 16-17 in Charleston, SC. More information will become available at NRCC.
- MID-ATLANTIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL: The Mid-Atlantic Council will meet June 4-6, 2019 in New York City. Visit MAFMC for more information