August 14, 2017 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The Northeast Fisheries Science Center has scheduled a series of port outreach meetings to talk with commercial and recreational fishermen about the upcoming operational assessments for 20 groundfish stocks. Here are the details.

WHAT’S GOING ON: Stock assessment and cooperative research staff from the science center will provide an informal explanation of the stock assessment process, the cooperative research program, and ways that industry concerns can be addressed by the science center. The center said, “We’re listening to what you have to say.”

WHERE ARE THE MEETINGS: Below is the list of confirmed meetings to date.  Additional information will be posted at meeting schedule.

• August 15 in Chatham, MA – Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance: In the Barn, 4 p.m.
• August 16 in New Bedford, MA – New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, 4 p.m.
• August 17 in Portland, ME – Portland Fish Exchange, 3 p.m.
• August 18 in Gloucester, MA – Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Ave., 10 a.m.
• August 28 in Point Judith, RI – Superior Trawl/NESTCO Conference Room, 65 State St., 4 p.m.
• August 30 in Montauk, NY – Details to be announced.

ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE AND DETAILS: The Groundfish Operational Assessments Peer Review is scheduled for September 11-15, 2017 at the science center in Woods Hole, MA.  Additional information is available at NEFSC.

QUESTIONS: Need to know more?  Contact Stock Assessment Outreach Coordinator Ariele Baker at (508) 495-4741, ariele.baker@noaa.gov.