Saving Seafood

Amendment 23 Implementation Outreach Workshops

October 21, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The New England Fishery Management Council developed Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan to revise the groundfish sector monitoring program. The Council’s selected measures include a requirement for 100 percent of sector groundfish trips to be monitored, if the agency can reimburse industry’s costs. Sectors would be able to use either human at-sea monitors or either of two electronic monitoring options, or a combination of those options, to meet their monitoring requirement.

While NOAA Fisheries reviews Amendment 23, we are determining how to implement the measures if they are approved. On October 12, we hosted an informational webinar and we have scheduled a series of virtual workshops this fall to assist industry in preparing for the implementation of Amendment 23, if approved. The informational webinar focused on presenting information about the new Maximized Retention Electronic Monitoring model, implementation decisions made to date, a timeline for additional implementation decisions, and our outreach plan to engage constituents in collaboratively planning implementation details.

Informational Webinar

October 12, 2021:  2-3:30 p.m.

Click here for a recording of the webinar.

Virtual Workshops

We are also planning a series of virtual workshops, with multiple webinars to allow each to focus in-depth on a limited number of topics. We will limit the number of attendees for each webinar to ensure that all participants have an opportunity to engage in the discussion. Topics will be chosen based on public feedback so that we focus on the issues of interest to our constituents.

We will be rescheduling the first workshop, initially scheduled for October 27, to a later date this fall.  Next week we will post an agenda for the November 3 workshop.

Please email us to register for a workshop webinar, suggest topics for a workshop agenda, or to provide other feedback for the workshops.

For more information on the webinar and virtual workshops, visit the event page.

Questions?

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

 

Amendment 23 Implementation Informational Webinar October 12

October 4, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

The New England Fishery Management Council developed Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan to revise the groundfish sector monitoring program. The Council’s selected measures include a requirement for 100 percent of sector groundfish trips to be monitored, if the agency can reimburse industry’s costs. Sectors would be able to use either human at-sea monitors or either of two electronic monitoring options, or a combination of those options, to meet their monitoring requirement.

While NOAA Fisheries reviews Amendment 23, we are determining how to implement the measures if they are approved. We will host an informational webinar and virtual workshops this fall to assist industry in preparing for the implementation of Amendment 23, if approved. The informational webinar will focus on presenting information about the new Maximized Retention Electronic Monitoring model, implementation decisions made to date, a timeline for additional implementation decisions, and our outreach plan to engage constituents in collaboratively planning implementation details.

Informational Webinar

October 12, 2021:  2-3:30pm

Join by computer or mobile device:

Click:  https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?MTID=mf70daa7dbf1f38e61d475b239746200a

Enter event number: 2761 228 1129

Enter event password: Meeting123

Or Join By Phone:

Dial In: 866-647-1746

Enter Participant Code: 6042534

Virtual Workshops

We are also planning virtual workshops, with multiple webinars to allow each to focus in-depth on a limited number of topics. We will limit the number of attendees for each webinar to ensure that all participants have an opportunity to engage in the discussion. Topics will be chosen based on public feedback so that we focus on the issues of interest to our constituents.

For more information on the webinar and virtual workshops, visit the event page.

Questions?

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103

RESCHEDULED: Groundfish monitoring webinar, NEFMC

March 13, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council: 

Due to the winter storm that is impacting our region, the New England Fishery Management Council has RESCHEDULED its March 14 groundfish monitoring webinar.  The new date is Tuesday, March 28, beginning at 6 p.m. 

The Council is holding six public scoping hearings on Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, which is focused on improving the groundfish monitoring program.  The first scoping hearing was held in Rockport, ME on March 3.  Additional hearings will be held March 21-23 in:  Portsmouth, NH; Gloucester, MA: Plymouth, MA; and Groton, CT.  The hearings will conclude with the March 28 webinar.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the March 28 webinar will be available at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4567763108442151939  

There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone, dial +1 (415) 930-5321.  

The access code is 702-360-151.  

Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.  

MATERIALS:  The scoping hearing notice, scoping document, and presentation are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC groundfish.  The public comment period closes April 3.

QUESTIONS:  Email Dr. Jamie Cournane at jcournane@nefmc.org or Robin Frede at rfrede@nefmc.org. 

Groundfish Monitoring Scoping Hearings

February 21, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council has scheduled a series of public scoping hearings from Maine to Connecticut to solicit ideas for potentially changing the region’s groundfish monitoring and reporting system. The purpose of this initiative is to improve reliability and accountability of the monitoring program since successful management of the fishery depends on accurate and timely catch reporting.

The changes are being considered under Amendment 23 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The Council is encouraging fishermen and other stakeholders to participate in this very early stage of the amendment development process.

“The Council, fishermen, and the public recognize the groundfish monitoring program needs improvement,” said Council Executive Director Tom Nies. “This is the first and best opportunity for people to suggest ways to create a program that will give the accurate, reliable information needed to manage this fishery.”

At present, two types of at-sea observers are used in the groundfish fishery: (1)Federally funded Northeast Fishery Observer Program (NEFOP) observers who follow the Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (SBRM) and implement federal programs; and (2) At-sea monitors who are responsible for groundfish sector monitoring. As of May 1, at-sea monitors will be fully funded by industry.

Amendment 23 will not impact NEFOP or SBRM coverage. However, the amendment could modify or even remove the at-sea monitoring program if an alternative holistic monitoring and reporting program is developed and implemented for the groundfish fishery.

As part of Amendment 23, the Council also may consider changes to the way landings information is provided by both dealers and vessel operators and how it is assigned to stock areas.

Read the full release here