FR 2021-01945

The document is a public notice about a meeting organized by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. It covers a brief agenda where the River Herring and Shad (RH/S) Advisory Panel (AP) will gather input on white papers developed by the council staff. This meeting will occur via a webinar on February 8, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

General Summary

The notice announces the Council's intention to hold a public meeting, focusing on river herring and shad management. The meeting is intended to seek guidance from an advisory panel and is open to the public. The detailed logistics, such as connection information for the webinar, are available on the Council’s website. The document also indicates that special accommodations are available for people with disabilities, highlighting the accessibility measures in place.

Significant Issues or Concerns

Several issues arise from the document, primarily related to the lack of specific information about the meeting's content. The notice mentions that the AP will provide input on white papers, but it scarcely elaborates on the topics or the objectives of these papers. This lack of detail limits transparency, which could leave stakeholders guessing about the core matters of the meeting.

Improving the clarity of the notice could address these concerns. Better organization and clearer expression of contact information and webinar connection details would help ensure that stakeholders easily access the meeting.

Public Impact

Overall, the document presents an opportunity for public involvement in fisheries management, contributing to transparency and inclusivity. By facilitating public access to the meeting via a webinar, the Council engages a broader audience who might have an interest or stake in river herring and shad conservation.

However, the restricted information about the agenda could hinder public preparation and input, possibly reducing the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement. Clarifying the topics at hand would empower interested parties to contribute knowledgeably and effectively to the discussions.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly involved or interested in fisheries management, this notice is a crucial opportunity to influence decisions and policies affecting river herring and shad species. It allows scientists, conservationists, and local fishers to provide input based on firsthand knowledge or research data.

Conversely, the uncertainty concerning the white papers might frustrate these stakeholders and reduce participation from those who feel uninformed about the subjects being deliberated. Ensuring enhanced transparency through detailed agendas could foster better engagement and cooperation among all involved parties.

In conclusion, while the initiative of holding a public meeting is commendable, the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement could be improved by addressing the document's current limitations in agenda clarity and access to participation.