Overview
Title
Permanent Advisory Committee To Advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission; Meeting Announcement
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service is holding an online meeting on May 28, 2025, to talk about how to protect fish in the Pacific Ocean. People can give their ideas and ask for help if they need it by May 21.
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), announced a public meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) on May 28, 2025. This meeting, conducted via web conference, will advise U.S. Commissioners on issues related to highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. The PAC, which supports the U.S. National Section to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), will focus on discussing outcomes from past meetings and preparing for future ones. Public comments are invited, and accessibility accommodations are available upon request by May 21, 2025.
Abstract
NMFS announces a public meeting of the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC) to advise the U.S. Commissioners to the Commission for the Conservation and Management of Highly Migratory Fish Stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPFC) on May 28, 2025. Meeting topics are provided under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register announces a public meeting convened by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The meeting is organized by the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC), which advises U.S. Commissioners on managing highly migratory fish stocks in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean. Scheduled for May 28, 2025, the meeting will be conducted via web conference, focusing on past outcomes and future objectives of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC).
General Summary
This public notice outlines the key details for an upcoming PAC meeting intended to advise U.S. Commissioners. It highlights the PAC's role in supporting U.S. representatives to the WCPFC and addresses administrative protocols for conducting the meeting online, inviting public commentary until May 21, 2025, and ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Significant Issues or Concerns
Selection Criteria and Process Transparency:
The document does not specify how individuals are selected for the PAC. This lack of detail may lead to suspicions of favoritism, as the selection process is not transparent. Clarifying this could enhance public trust.Financial Transparency:
There is no information about the costs associated with hosting the meeting or operating the PAC. Transparency in how funds are allocated could alleviate certain concerns about the efficient use of resources.Privacy Concerns:
Mention of possible audio recordings raises questions about handling these records, including storage, use, and access protocols, which are not detailed in the document.Complex Language:
Legal references and terminology might be unclear to the general public. Simplifying or explaining terms like the "Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act" could make the document more accessible.Protection of Sensitive Information:
The document does not address how sensitive or proprietary information discussed during the meeting will be safeguarded. This omission might concern stakeholders about the confidentiality of their contributions.Public Availability of Meeting Outcomes:
The document fails to disclose how the results of the meeting or public feedback will be shared with the public, leaving a gap in transparency and accountability.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
Public at Large
For the general public, this meeting offers a chance to contribute opinions on important marine conservation efforts. However, the public's ability to influence decisions may be limited without a clear understanding of how their feedback is used post-meeting.
Specific Stakeholders
Fisheries and Environmental Groups:
These groups may benefit from participating in discussions on policies affecting marine conservation and fisheries management. A lack of clarity on how sensitive information is protected could deter some stakeholders from fully engaging.Residents of U.S. Participating Territories:
Territories such as American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands stand to gain from presenting their specific concerns. However, their influence on final outcomes may depend on the transparency and receptiveness of the proceedings.
Overall, while the meeting represents an opportunity for input on key marine resource management issues, the document's lack of clarity on several procedural and operational aspects could impede full public engagement and stakeholder participation. Further detail and transparency would improve trust and effectiveness in these collaborative efforts.
Issues
• The document does not specify the criteria for the selection of members for the Permanent Advisory Committee (PAC), nor does it mention the process for public involvement in these selections, which could lead to perceived favoritism.
• The document provides little detail on the specific financial costs associated with hosting the meeting or the committee's operations, which may raise concerns about transparency in spending.
• The document mentions that the audio portion of the meeting may be recorded, but does not specify how the recordings will be used, stored, or who will have access, raising privacy concerns.
• Some language in the document, such as 'Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.)', may be unclear to laypersons without legal or governmental background.
• The document does not clearly state what measures will be in place to protect sensitive or proprietary information discussed during the meeting.
• The document fails to specify how the outcomes of the meeting or the public comments will be reported or made available to the public after the meeting.