The New England Fishery Management Council is beginning a review of the region’s groundfish sector system – a catch share program under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP) – with a series of public meetings.
The review, according to a release from the council, will focus on the first six years of the share program, under Amendment 16 to the FMP, which covers a period from 1 May, 2010 to 30 April, 2016. The council is also including information from prior to the new catch share program, spanning 1 May, 2007 to 30 April, 2010.
The review of the program is coming from NOAA guidance, which states that “a formal and detailed review” should occur “no less frequently than once every seven years,” according to a council release.
During the review, several meetings have been scheduled for public comment, which will be accepted through 19 August either during the meetings or in writing:
- 18 July, Ellsworth Maine, Moore Community Center
- 19 July, Portland Maine, Gulf of Maine Research Institute
- 23 July, Hyannis Massachusetts, Hyannis Youth and Community Center
- 24 July, Plymouth Massachusetts, Plymouth Library
- 25 July, Gloucester Massachusetts, Gloucester Library
- 26 July, Portsmouth New Hampshire, Portsmouth High School
- 14 August, Riverhead New York, Kermit w. Graf Building.
- 15 August, Point Judith Rhode Island, Narragansett Office of Town Managers
- 16 August, New Bedford Massachusetts, Fairfield Inn and Suites
