December 5, 2012 — The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will discuss the impacts of "Superstorm" Sandy at the next public listening session in Baltimore, MD on Wednesday, December 12.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act allows the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide economic relief to the fishing industry under a disaster declaration, but fishermen, processors, boat owners, and others have faced confusion and uncertainty about what type of assistance is available, who is eligible, and how to apply. During the listening session, representatives from the National Marine Fisheries Service will describe their preliminary assessment of the storm’s economic impacts. They will also explain the agency’s role in providing assistance and answer some frequently asked questions. Following the presentations, all members of the public are invited to ask questions and participate in an open discussion with Council members and NMFS representatives. Interested individuals may attend in person or participate via webinar.
Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast late last month, causing billions of dollars of damage along the coastlines of Mid-Atlantic and New England states. In the following weeks, individuals in the affected states have begun working to rebuild and repair destroyed docks, boats, marinas, homes, and other infrastructure—many of them will face lost income for weeks, and possibly months, to come. Although the economic impacts have not yet been fully calculated, preliminary assessments indicate that the storm’s impacts have been devastating to several areas of the Mid-Atlantic.
The meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 5:00 pm at Pier V Hotel, 711 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202