The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a public meeting of its Habitat Oversight Committee to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration and action, if appropriate.
This meeting will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Hotel Providence, 139 Mathewson Street, Providence, RI 02903; telephone: (401) 861-8000; fax: (401) 454-4306.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465-0492.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There are three topics related to adverse effects and Dedicated Habitat Research Areas (DHRA) for Habitat Committee consideration at this meeting. First, the Committee will review updated DHRA recommendations from the Habitat Plan Development Team (PDT) and provide feedback to the PDT for further work. Next, the Committee will discuss PDT recommendations regarding ground cable length options. Finally, the Committee will review species and area-based `extra-SASI' materials intended to support decision making related to adverse effects minimization and DHRA alternatives, and provide any feedback as to how this information can be made more useful.
There are three topics related to deep-sea corals for Habitat Committee consideration at this meeting. First, the Committee will review a Memorandum of Understanding about coordination on deep-sea coral issues with the other Atlantic coast Councils, particularly MAFMC. This will include a presentation from the PDT on fishing effort in coral zones. Second, they will review comments received to date on a Federal Register notice indicating that the Council is exploring the possibility of splitting corals from the EFH Omnibus Amendment, 77 FR 44214, July 27, 2012 (comment period closes on August 27). Finally, the Committee will discuss work plans and timelines under various scenarios (i.e. corals split or not).