Groundfish Catch Share Program Review: Public Meetings Scheduled for July/August in Ports From Maine to New York

FORIMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Janice Plante July 2, 2019 (607) 592-4817, [email protected]
New England Fishery Management Council | 50 Water Street, Mill 2 | Newburyport, MA 01950 Phone: (978) 465-0492 | Fax: (978) 465-3116 | www.nefmc.org
Groundfish Catch Share Program Review: Public Meetings Scheduled for July/August in Ports From Maine to New York
–Gulf of Maine Research Institute graphic

The New England Fishery Management Council is conducting a review of the groundfish sector system, which is a catch share program under the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The public is encouraged to provide comments during an upcoming series of port meetings or in writing until August 19, 2019.

The review focuses on the first six years of the catch share program under Amendment 16 to the FMP, covering fishing years 2010 to 2015, which span from May 1, 2010 through April 30, 2016. Information prior to the program’s implementation also will be included for fishing years 2007 to 2009. This period covers May 1, 2007 through April 30, 2010.

The Council contracted with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) to conduct the port meetings. All nine meetings, which extend from Maine to New York, will run from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Here are the dates and locations.

• Ellsworth, ME–July 18 at the Moore Community Center, 5 General Moore Way;

• Portland, ME –July 19 at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, 350 Commercial Street;

• Hyannis, MA–July 23 at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center, 141 Bassett Lane;

• Plymouth, MA–July 24 at Plymouth Library, 132 South Street; • Gloucester, MA –July 25 at Gloucester Library, 2 Dale Avenue; • Portsmouth, NH–July 26 at Portsmouth High School, 50 Andrew Jarvis Drive; • Riverhead, NY–August 14 at the Kermit W. Graf Building, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 423 GriffingAvenue;

• Point Judith, RI–August 15 at the Narragansett Office of Town Managers, 25 Fifth Avenue, Narragansett;

• New Bedford, MA–August 16 at Fairfield Inn and Suites, 185 MacArthur Drive.

Questions About the Port Meetings? ØContact Patty Collins at GMRI at (207) 228-1625, [email protected] ØDownload a copy of GMRI’s Port Meeting Flyer

WHY IS THE COUNCIL CONDUCTING THIS REVIEW: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) catch share policy states that Councils periodically should review catch share programs to evaluate whether a program is meeting its goals and objectives. NOAA’s guidance is that “a formal and detailed review” should occur “no less frequently than once every seven years” for all limited access privilege programs (LAPPs) established after January 12, 2007. More information is available atNOAA Catch Share Policy.

IS ANYONE ELSE INVOLVED: The Council contracted with MRAG Americas Inc. to support the technical working group conducting the Groundfish Catch Share Program Review. The working group includes members from the Council, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, and Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office staff. MRAG Americas is:

• Facilitating working group meetings;

• Researching and summarizing pertinent information and coordinating working group review documents;

• Assisting with developing and writing the draft Catch Shares Program Review document; and

• Presenting the draft document to the Groundfish Plan Development Team, Groundfish and Recreational Advisory Panels, Scientific and Statistical Committee, Groundfish Committee, and the full Council. TIMELINE: During itsSeptember meetingin Gloucester, MA, the Council is expected to: (1) receive a summary of input from the public port meetings; and (2) receive a summary of written comments.

Here’s How to Submit Written Comments Ø Email: [email protected] Ø Fax: (978) 465-3116 Ø Mail: Tom Nies, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950 All written comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, August 19, 2019.

New England Fishery Management Council | 50 Water Street, Mill 2 | Newburyport, MA 01950 Phone: (978) 465-0492 | Fax: (978) 465-3116 | www.nefmc.org