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Sending comments? Written comments must be received at the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) office no later than 8:00 a.m., Thursday, January 25, 2024 to be considered at this meeting. Please address comments to Council Chair Eric Reid or Executive Director Cate O’Keefe at: NEFMC, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. Email submissions should be sent to comments@nefmc.org. ** Written comments must address items listed on the agenda for this meeting or issues that will be brought up under the open period for public comment.

IMPORTANT: The Council will hold its January 2024 meeting at the Venue at Portwalk Place in Portsmouth, NH. This will be a hybrid meeting with in-person participation, coupled with a webinar option for individuals who cannot or prefer not to attend in person. Updates will be posted on the Council’s December 2023 meeting webpage.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: The Council’s “Guidelines for Providing Public Comments” can be found here. Anyone interested in speaking during the open period for public comment on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 1:45 p.m. should fill out the signup sheet on the table at the entrance to the Council meeting room. To speak remotely, email Janice Plante at jplante@nefmc.org to get on the list.

  • Here is the Council’s “Remote Participation Guide” with instructions for how to provide oral comments if you'd like to speak remotely on the webinar.
  • Are you on the webinar and having trouble? We have a Help Desk! Email us at helpdesk@nefmc.org.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

9:00 a.m. Closed Session (Council Chair Eric Reid) - Council discussion on Scientific and Statistical Committee appointments

9:30 Introductions and Announcements (Council Chair Eric Reid)

9:35 Reports on Recent Activities - Council Chair, Council Executive Director, Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) Regional Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) General Counsel, Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC), Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and ICCAT Advisory Committee

10:45 Risk Policy Working Group Report (Megan Ware)

12:00 p.m. Habitat (Staff)

12:30 p.m. Lunch Break

1:45 Open Period for Public Comment - Opportunity for the public to provide brief comments on issues relevant to Council business but not listed on this agenda (please limit remarks to 3-5 minutes)

2:00 Herring Committee Report (Cheri Patterson)

4:00 Congressional Update (Dave Whaley)

5:00 Council Adjourns

6:00 Council Public Outreach (AC Hotel, Lobby Level, 299 Vaughn Street, 4-minute walk from the Council meeting room at The Venue at Portwalk Place) - Informational exchange to foster open lines of communication among Council members, staff, industry, and meeting attendees; all are welcome; light snacks provided

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

9:00 a.m. Standardized Bycatch Reporting Methodology (Staff)

9:45 NEFSC Fishery Monitoring and Research Division (Katherine “KB” McArdle and Dr. Anna Mercer, NEFSC)

11:45 Industry-Based Surveys (Dr. Kathryn Ford, NEFSC)

12:30 p.m. Lunch Break

1:45 Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey (Dr. Katherine Papacostas, NOAA Fisheries)

2:45 Groundfish Committee Report (Rick Bellavance)

4:45 Whiting Report (Rick Bellavance)

Offshore Wind Information Event: After the Council concludes its business for the day, fisheries liaisons from several offshore wind energy development companies will host an informational meet-and-greet event at AC Hotel, Lobby Level, 299 Vaughn Street, which is a 4-minute walk from the Council meeting room at The Venue at Portwalk Place. All are welcome to attend.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

9:00 a.m. Spiny Dogfish Committee (Nichola Meserve, NEFMC committee co-chair; Jason Didden, MAFMC staff)

10:00 Monkfish Report (Matt Gates)

11:30 On-Demand Fishing Gear Conflict Working Group (Mike Pierdinock)

12:00 p.m. Black Sea Bass Research Track Stock Assessment (Dr. Larry Alade, NEFSC)

12:30 Other Business

This meeting will be recorded. Consistent with 16 USC 1852, a copy of the recording is available upon request.