FR 2025-01838

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is organizing a series of public meetings scheduled for February 11-12, 2025. These meetings will occur virtually, providing an opportunity for council members and the public to participate digitally via Webex. Such arrangements highlight the growing trend of remote participation in civic and regulatory processes, making information more accessible to a wider audience. Topics on the agenda include membership reviews, discussions on marine fishing gear's impact, updates on marine carbon removal projects, and broader organizational dialogues.

Key Issues and Concerns

A notable issue is the transparency surrounding the council's decision-making processes. Specifically, the agenda mentions a closed session reviewing membership applications for the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC). While this may be standard practice for sensitive or personnel-related discussions, the lack of transparency may raise concerns about inclusivity and accountability for those interested in the council's inner workings.

Another concern involves the document's use of technical jargon and acronyms, such as "SSC," "NEFSC," "NTAP," "SBRM," and "mCDR". Without clear explanations or a glossary, individuals not familiar with industry-specific language might find it challenging to fully grasp the discussions. Such complexity could create barriers to effective public engagement and understanding.

The agenda’s flexibility to address items "out of order" could potentially disrupt the meeting flow for those participating or interested only in specific topics. While the council assures that updates will be noted on their website, real-time communication procedures should be more clearly defined to ensure all participants remain informed.

Finally, the firm's stance to limit non-agenda items to avoid formal action might restrict consideration of pressing new developments. While maintaining focus is crucial, being overly rigid might prevent timely responses to emergent issues that stakeholders or the public might raise.

Impact on Public and Stakeholders

Broadly, the meeting reflects a proactive approach to engage with stakeholders and the general public on various fishery management issues, aligning with sustainable practices critical for environmental conservation. By hosting these meetings virtually, the council effectively increases accessibility, allowing a more diverse audience to engage without geographical constraints.

For specific stakeholders, the review and potential changes in the spiny dogfish accountability measures framework and the introduction of recreational for-hire control dates could imply new regulations or amendments impacting operations. Such changes may incur both benefits and challenges: benefits in clearer guidelines and resource protections, and challenges in adapting to new protocols or regulations.

In closing, while the document presents an organized platform for valuable discourse on crucial marine topics, addressing transparency concerns, simplifying technical language, and offering flexible but clear procedural communications during the meeting could enhance the experience and effectiveness for all participants. This balanced approach ensures the council's critical work aligns with both regulatory needs and community interests.