Arlington, VA – The Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section will hold a meeting and public hearing via conference call on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 2:00 PM. The purpose of the call is to review northern shrimp landings data and determine the appropriate closure date to prevent significant landings overages that might occur if the fishery continues through April 15. During a preliminary conference call held February 14 the Section members discussed potential closure dates ranging from February 20 through 28.
The Northern Shrimp Section set the 2010/2011 fishing season at 136 days with the intention that landings would not exceed 4,000 metric tons. When the Section set the season, it agreed to review the landings in February to determine is an adjustment to the season is warranted. If the Section decides to take emergency action, the Commission process requires four public hearings to be held within 30 days of the action.
Interested stakeholders may listen-in on the conference call at 1-877-679-3924 (Passcode: 821540) Procedures for public comment during the call will be detailed at the beginning on the conference call. Meeting materials can be found on the Commission website.
In addition to the conference call, the Northern Shrimp Advisory Panel and Section will meet on February 28, 2011 at the Urban Forestry Center, 45 Elwyn Road, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The Advisory Panel will meet from 9:00 am to Noon, followed by the Section meeting from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Both groups will review the performance of this year’s fishery as well as a draft Public Information Document (PID) for an amendment to the Northern Shrimp Fishery Management Plan. The PID will seek public input on a number of issues including gear modifications, limited entry, and clarification of the fishing mortality target. The Section will consider approving the PID for public comment at this meeting. Upon its approval, the document will be released for public comment. A subsequent press release will announce its availability as well as the details of state-scheduled hearings
For more information, please contact Robert Beal, Director, Interstate Fisheries Management Program, at (703) 842- 0740.