February 19, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council met January 28-30, 2025 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In addition to standard business, the Council received a series of presentations on fisheries research projects being conducted in offshore wind development areas. The Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) organized the presentations at the Council’s request and planned an evening poster session (photos below). Presentations and posters are posted on the Council’s website here.

ATLANTIC HERRING / RIVER HERRING: The Council received a presentation on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) 2024 River Herring Benchmark Stock Assessment. ASMFC staff provided the overview and answered Council questions.

The Council then received an update on Amendment 10 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan, which is an action to minimize user conflicts in the Atlantic herring fishery, support rebuilding of the resource, and address river herring and shad catch. The Council will receive another update in June.

During its September 2024 meeting, the Council took final action on fishing year 2025-2027 specifications for Atlantic herring. At the time, the Council’s proposed specifications assumed the 2024 acceptable biological catch (ABC) would be caught.

Given the limited activity in the commercial fishery over the past year, the Council did not expect the U.S. annual catch limit would be fully utilized in 2024. It therefore tasked the Herring Plan Development Team (PDT) with

reviewing preliminary 2024 year-end catch information and developing an updated 2024 catch estimate, which was presented to the Council at the January meeting along with revised projections.

Based on the new information, the Council agreed to ask its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) to provide updated fishing year 2025 and 2026 overfishing limit (OFL) and ABC recommendations. The Council also asked the SSC to consider results from the March 2025 Atlantic Herring Research Track Stock Assessment and a risk analysis that will be prepared by the PDT.

The Council will receive the SSC’s report during its April 2025 meeting and discuss whether revisions to the 2025 and 2026 specifications are warranted.

February 18, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) has scheduled four Visioning Sessions to gather public input to help shape the development of a strategic plan to guide the future management of the Atlantic sea scallop fishery over the next 3-5 years

Three of the sessions will be held in person and one will take place virtually. Here is the schedule:

• Rockport, Maine: February 27, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, Samoset Resort, 220 Warrenton Street

• New Bedford, Massachusetts: March 4, 2025, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: March 13, 2025, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Windsor Suites, 1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

• Webinar: March 24, 2025, 1 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Register here

For planning purposes please fill out this Google Form to let us know if you’ll be attending a session. The Rockport, New Bedford, and Philadelphia Visioning Sessions will not have a webinar option

February 10, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) seeks candidates for the position of Administrative Officer (AO). This position serves as the principal staff advisor on financial planning and administrative management. The responsibilities include development, preparation, and monitoring of budgets and oversight of all federal and programmatic contracts and purchasing. The AO provides overall human resources management, including benefit program oversight, payroll, personnel policies, and records management. The application deadline is March 5, 2025.

Administrative Officer Responsibilities:

• Prepare documents in support of budgets and amendments, as well as justifications for funding.
• Operate and maintain the Council’s accounting system in accordance with all applicable laws.
• Prepare financial reports, monthly summaries of accounts, budget statements, and balance sheets.
• Anticipate funding needs and ensure that sufficient funds are available to support the Council’s needs.
• Establish and maintain cost and fund controls as needed to meet the needs of the Council.
• Prepare and submit required reports to the NOAA Grants Office.
• Prepare contracts for administrative services on behalf of the Executive Director.
• Prepare, review, and oversee contracting and purchasing.
• Compile the necessary information for the Council’s financial and compliance audit for review by independent or Inspector General auditors.
• Assume responsibility for personnel management duties, including salary and wage administration, staff development opportunities, maintenance of personnel records, employee services (e.g., retirement, insurance, social security, and workers’ compensation), and other administrative services.
• Assist the Executive Director in the overall operation of the Council office through recommendations regarding policies, procedures, personnel actions, equipment and other needs, fiscal responsibilities, and other administrative activities and functions as required.

 Qualifications: The Administrative Officer position requires expert knowledge of financial management, fiscal and accounting theories, concepts, principles, and procedures. A complete list of educational and professional requirements, as well as desired analytical skills, is outlined in the vacancy announcement.

Application Process: Please send a cover letter and a resume detailing education and experience to:

Cate O’Keefe, Executive Director
New England Fishery Management Council
50 Water Street, Mill 2
Newburyport, MA 01950

Applications will be accepted via email (preferred) to sgoutier@nefmc.org or U.S. mail until the closing date of March 5, 2025. The anticipated hiring date is April 2025.

January 21, 2025 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting from Tuesday, January 28 through Thursday, January 30, 2025.  This will be an in-person meeting coupled with a webinar option for individuals who cannot or prefer not to attend in person.  Please participate remotely if you do not feel well.

LOCATION:  The Venue at Portwalk Place, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

START TIME:  12:30 p.m. on Tuesday and 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.

SPECIAL EVENT – COUNCIL PUBLIC OUTREACH / POSTER SESSION ON FISHERIES RESEARCH IN OFFSHORE WIND AREAS:  Join the Council on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. for an informational exchange to foster open lines of communication among Council members, staff, industry, and meeting attendees.  This event will be coupled with a poster session on fisheries research in offshore wind areas.  The dual public outreach/poster session will take place at the AC Hotel at 299 Vaughn Street, a 4-minute walk from the Council meeting room at The Venue at Portwalk Place.  All are welcome.  Light snacks will be provided.

PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES:  The Council wants to hear from you.  Here’s how you can let the Council know what you think.

• WRITE A LETTER:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at this meeting is 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025.  Please note that written comments must address items listed on the agenda for this meeting.
• TALK TO THE COUNCIL:  You’ll be able to address the Council directly through two different avenues:

1. By commenting on motions at the discretion of the Council chair (if commenting remotely, raise your hand on the webinar and unmute yourself when called upon); and
2. By speaking during the open period for public comment.  Here are the Guidelines for Providing Public Comment.

• OPEN PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT:  On Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 12:15 p.m., the Council will offer the public an opportunity to provide comments on issues relevant to Council business but not listed on this agenda.  Given the Council’s busy meeting schedule, we ask that you limit remarks to 3-5 minutes.

• • SIGN UP:  Interested in speaking?  If attending in person, fill out the sign-up sheet on the table at the entrance to the Council meeting room.  To speak remotely, email Janice Plante atjplante@nefmc.org to get on the list.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

• Here are instructions in the Remote Participation Guide for successfully joining and participating in the webinar.
• We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way.  Just email helpdesk@nefmc.org and we’ll get right back to you.

CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone without joining the webinar, dial +1 (562) 247-8422.  The access code is 597-718-535.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.  This phone number provides a “listen-only” option without the webinar component.  You will not be able to speak if you do not first join the webinar.

AGENDA:  All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC January 28-30, 2025 meeting webpage.  Additional documents will be posted as they become available.

THREE MEETING OUTLOOK:  A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is availableHERE.

COUNCIL MEETING QUESTIONS:  Anyone with questions prior to or during the Council meeting should contact Janice Plante at (607) 592-4817, jplante@nefmc.org.