After years of work, the New England Fishery Management Council is closing in on taking final action on Groundfish Monitoring Amendment 23 during its September meeting.
The council voted in April to postpone any final decision-making at the time, in light of the “extraordinary times” that the meetings have been taking place in due to the coronavirus crisis. Previously, the final decision was slated to occur during the council’s June meeting.
Amendment 23 is a complete overhaul of how the region’s groundfish catch is monitored, which includes changes that would streamline how sector reporting requirements work, potentially implementing a dockside monitoring program, and making other reforms to the reporting process.
Now, the NEFMC has scheduled a series of public hearings in July and August – to be held via webinar – to get another series of public comments on the proposed amendments. There will be four hearings on the subject, with specific geographical focuses:
- A hearing with a focus on Rhode Island and Connecticut/Mid-Atlantic states at 4 p.m., 29 July.
- A hearing with a focus on Massachusetts at 4 p.m. on 30 July.
- A general webinar with no specific focus, but with a call-in option for those unable to attend via webinar, at 4 p.m. on 6 August.
- A hearing with a focus on Maine and New Hampshire, starting at 6 p.m. on 10 August.
In addition, the council has scheduled office hours to talk about the amendment: From 2 to 3 p.m. on 21 July and form 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on 23 July.
“We encourage everyone to take advantage of these outreach opportunities,” Council Executive Director Tom Nies said. “Join the practice webinar. Call our groundfish staff during the Amendment 23 office hours. Ask questions. Watch the narrated video of the presentation, which we’ll be posting online soon. We’re doing everything we can to make sure the public is aware of all the alternatives in the document and that everyone feels comfortable giving us their comments.”
Photo courtesy of the New England Fishery Management Council
