April 13, 2015 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC):
Dear Interested Parties:
The New England Fishery Management Council intends to take final action on Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment 2 (OHA2) at its upcoming meeting in Mystic, CT. Because of the large number of alternatives under consideration, the Council plans to organize the overall agenda, as it concerns this topic, in the following manner. This does not change the previously distributed NEFMC agenda http://s3.amazonaws.com/nefmc.org/NEFMCapr2015mtg.pdf, but provides more detail for those who plan to attend or listen in to the deliberations on OHA2. In addition to the lunch breaks listed below, other breaks will likely be called by Council Chairman Terry Stockwell on the 22nd and 23rd.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
11:00 a.m. – until adjournment, with a one hour lunch break at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Introduction to Habitat Amendment 2; focus on this day will be on the Gulf of Maine habitat and spawning management areas. Any adjustments to previously approved Essential Fish Habitat designations will also be considered on this day.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Continue consideration of Habitat Amendment measures; focus will be on Dedicated Habitat Research Areas.
9:30 a.m. – until a one hour lunch break at approximately 12:00 p.m., followed by additional Council decision-making on the alternatives
Continue consideration of other Habitat Amendment measures; focus will be on the Georges Bank and Great South Channel/Southern New England habitat and spawning management areas.
5:30 p.m. Other Council Business
The Council encourages and appreciates your participation in the federal fisheries management process.