July 8, 2024 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic coastal states of Maine though Massachusetts have scheduled hearings to gather public input on the Public Information Document (PID) to Draft Amendment 4 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Northern Shrimp. Some hearings will be conducted in-person, and some hearings will be conducted via webinar. If you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the virtual hearings. The public hearing details follow:
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State/Agency
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Contact
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Monday, July 29
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
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New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept. & Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.
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603.868.1095
508.264.4157
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Tuesday, July 30
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
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Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.
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207.446.0932
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Wednesday, July 31
In-person Hearing
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
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Maine Dept. of Marine Resources
Hearing Location:
Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission
297 Bath Road
Wiscasset, ME 04578
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207.446.0932
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Thursday, August 1
Webinar Hearing
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
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Maine Dept. of Marine Resources, New Hampshire Fish and Game Dept., & Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
The webinar registration link is available here, and additional webinar instructions are below.
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703.842.0714
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Given the stock’s continued depleted status, the draft amendment was initiated to consider extending the specifications setting timeline to allow for ongoing or multiyear harvest moratoria and adding management triggers to the management program. A management trigger, defined by a set of biological indicators, would inform when a harvest moratorium could be reevaluated to allow for a potential fishery in future years.
As the first step in the Commission’s amendment process, the PID is intended to gather information concerning northern shrimp and provide an opportunity for the public to identify and comment on major issues relative to the management of the species. Following the initial phase of information gathering and public comment, the Section will evaluate potential management alternatives and develop Draft Amendment 4 for public review. After the next round of public comment, the Section will identify the management measures to be included in Amendment 4. A tentative schedule for the completion of Amendment 4 is included in the PID.
Webinar Instructions
Please note that in order to comment during virtual webinar hearings you will need to use your computer or download the GoTo app for your phone. Those joining by phone only will be limited to listening to the presentation and will not be able to provide input. In those cases, you can send your comments to staff via email or US mail at any time during the public comment period. To attend the webinar in listen only mode, dial 213.929.4212 and enter access code 846-921-953. If you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the virtual hearings.
For all virtual hearings, please click HERE and select the hearing(s) you plan to attend from the dropdown menu to register for a public hearing webinar. Hearings will be held via GoToWebinar, and you can join the webinar from your computer, tablet or smartphone. If you are new to GoToWebinar, you can download the software by (clicking here) or via the App store under GoTo. We recommend you register for the hearing well in advance of the hearing since GoToWebinar will provide you with a link to test your device’s compatibility with the webinar. If you find your device is not compatible, please contact the Commission at info@asmfc.org (subject line: GoToWebinar help) and we will try to get you connected. We also strongly encourage participants to use the computer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) so you can ask questions and provide input at the hearing.
Hearing Presentation Recording
For those who cannot attend any in-person or virtual hearings, the Commission will also post a recording of the hearing presentation on the Commission’s YouTube page so that stakeholders may watch the presentation and submit comment at any time during the comment process. This recording will be available by July 22, with the recording link provided at https://asmfc.org/about-us/
Submitting Comments
The PID is available athttps://asmfc.org/files/