March 22, 2018 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
An ad-hoc sub-panel of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) will meet via webinar on Friday, March 30, 2018 to peer review two reports related to surfclam dredging activity in the newly designated Great South Channel Habitat Management Area. The public is invited to listen via webinar or telephone. Here are the details.
START TIME: 1:00 p.m.
WEBINAR REGISTRATION: Online access to the meeting will be available at Listen Live. There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.
CALL-IN OPTION: To listen by telephone, dial +1 (951) 384-3421. The access code is 937-123-775. Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.
AGENDA: The SSC will review the following two papers, which were supported by the Science Center for Marine Fisheries.
- Analysis of ancillary survey data and surfclam fishery tow data for the Georges Shoals Habitat Management Area on Georges Bank and the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area; and
- The “East of Nantucket” Survey.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING: The Council plans to use the results of these studies to support decision-making in an upcoming management action.
- The Council is seeking advice from peer reviewers about how the data and conclusions from the two studies might be used to support development and evaluation of alternatives to consider possible exemption areas for hydraulic clam dredge gear within the newly designated Great South Channel Habitat Management Area.
- This 748-square-nautical-mile (nm) management area overlaps Nantucket Shoals and is located approximately 12 nm southeast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and 6 nm east of Nantucket Island.
- The reports summarize hydraulic dredge survey information for the habitat management area, including catches of clams and clam shells, as well as other components of the seafloor substrate.
MATERIALS: Meeting materials are available on the Council’s website at SSC March 30, 2018 documents.
For a more detailed description of the meeting click here.