Maine Lobstermen's Association

Agenda

:•Continue discussion on data decisions for combining 2020 survey abundance and biomass estimates, data on fishery performance, and potential management scenarios for FY2021 / FY2022.

• Discuss issues related to the development of Framework 33.

•Other business may be discussed, as necessary.

Online access:

This meeting will be broadcast online via GoToMeeting. The meeting will begin on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 10:30a.m. EST. Click the following link to join. Use VoIP with a microphone and speakers for audio –a headset is recommended.

Call In information: Phone: +1 (224) 501-3412  Access Code: 686-847-565

Please note that this is not a toll-free number **Please be sure to mute your phone upon joining the call so that there will not be interference with the team’s discussion**

The New England Fishery Management Council generally posts announcements of Plan Develop Team (PDT) meetings on the Council’s website, occasionally with very little notice. An agenda may or may not be included. Team members may discuss topics, if listed, in any order or add other issues not contained in the meeting notice.

Members of the public may attend PDT meetings, or listen in if the meetings are broadcast, but should not expect to participate unless the PDT chair invites input. Public comments and questions will not be taken during PDT conference calls.

PDTs are responsible to the Council and work on technical analyses as directed by their oversight committee. Once complete,PDT work products are reviewed at oversight committee meetings to which the public is invited. It is at this point that comments are encouraged on a range of issues, including PDT reports and recommendations, proposed management options or other information that is relevant to the committee’s business at that time. The committee, in turn, makes management recommendations to the full Council based on the full suite of information it has available to it.

Thurs , 10/22 – Zone A

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
+1 207-209-4724   United States, Portland
Conference ID: 538 250 034#

At the last Zone A Council meeting on October 6th, the zone council discussed the Department of Marine Resources’ (DMR) state-wide right whale proposal, as well as the Zone A sub-committee’s recommendations for a conservation equivalency to the right whale proposal for their zone.

The Zone A sub-committee’s recommendations raised some concerns around local fishing practices, oceanographic conditions and safety.  After much discussion, the Zone A Council asked the Department if the sub-committee could reconvene and present a new conservation equivalency for Zone A.  The sub-committee met again and has a new recommendation to present to the full Zone A Lobster Zone Council.

The primary agenda item for this meeting is for the Zone A Council to hear and discuss the sub-committee’s new recommendations and to decide whether to advance the new recommendations, or maintain the state-wide proposal’s measures.   See attached agenda.

• 10.22.20.doc

Below is the NEW Lobster Zone A Sub-Committee recommendation to the Zone A Council

West side of Zone A:  From A/B zone line to Roque Bluffs

   Area                                                 Minimums                                                      

• Exemption Line-3 miles:                   Triples
• 3-6 miles:                                          4s with 1 Endline or 8s with 2 Endlines
• 6-12 miles:                                        8s with 1 Endline or 15s with 2 Endlines
• 12+ miles:                                        25s
• 1 weak point in all state waters – one at 50% down
• 2 weak points in 3-12 miles – one at 25% and one at 50%
• 1 weak point at 12+ miles – one at 30% down

Below is the NEW Lobster Zone A Sub-Committee recommendation to the Zone A Council

East side of Zone A:  From Roque Bluffs to Canadian Border

   Area                                                 Minimums                                                      

• Exemption Line-3 miles:                   Triples
• 3-12 miles:                                        10s with 1 Endline or 20s with 2 Endlines
• 12+ miles:                                         25s
• 1 weak point in all state waters – one at 50% down
• 1 weak point all federal waters – one at 30% down

The next virtual meeting of the Zone A Lobster Zone Council will be on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.  We will not be meeting in person.  We are using a video conference platform called Microsoft Teams.  See the information below on how to join the Teams Meeting.   

Anyone that has provided DMR with an email address will receive the link to join the meeting or the telephone number to call into the meeting.

Council Members ONLY – please notify Sarah Cotnoir (207-592-8813) by Tuesday October 20th 2020 whether you will be available to join the video conference or call in.

Here are three ways to join the meeting:

If you haven’t joined a Teams Meeting before, here is some information on how to join. 

• If joining the Teams Meeting from your smartphone, download the free Microsoft Teams app in advance of the meeting.  You will be able to log into the app as a “guest,” and it will prompt you to enter your name.  Allow Microsoft Teams to use your audio and microphone when prompted so that you will be able to participate in the meeting. 
• If joining this meeting from your computer, you do not need to download the app – just click on the “Join Microsoft Teams Meeting” link below.  When a webpage opens and asks how you want to join the meeting, click “Join on the web instead”. You can use any browser except Safari.
• Here is a conference call telephone number if you prefer to call in directly.  Calling in would limit your ability to see what might be presented on the screen.  1-207-209-4724.  Please see the conference ID below.

Join Microsoft Teams Meeting
+1 207-209-4724   United States, Portland
Conference ID: 538 250 034#

On October 27, 2020, at 3:00 p.m., the Department of Marine Resources will hold a public hearing on the application of Glidden Point Oyster Company, LLC for a 5.5-acre, 10-year standard aquaculture lease on a site located south of Jack’s Point, Damariscotta River, Newcastle, Maine, for suspended culture of American/Eastern oysters and hard clams.

The hearing will take place remotely. Interested persons may participate in the remote hearing by computer or phone.

To help manage the proceeding, interested persons need to complete an online registration form no later than 5 p.m. on October 20, 2020. After the registration deadline, DMR will contact interested persons with information about how to join the remote hearing. If you are unable to register online or need assistance with the form, please contact DMR.

Online registration can be completed at: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=q6g_QX0gYkubzeoajy-GTmNMr8clQQtDi8znCHA0RwpUM0taUEVGT0xMT1A2NUU0U043WjY0MDZBVyQlQCN0PWcu

If the October 27, 2020 hearing is postponed or cannot be concluded by a reasonable hour, the hearing will be continued on October 28, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. in the same remote format. Notice of a postponement or a continuance will be posted to DMR’s website at https://www.maine.gov/dmr/index.html under “Meetings.”

A copy of the application and site report are available here: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/aquaculture/leases/pending/index.html

Click Here To Learn How To Participate

Agenda:

• Continue discussion on data decisions for combining2020survey abundance and biomass estimates, data on fishery performance, and potential management scenarios for FY2021 / FY2022.Review OFL and ABC projections,if available.
• Discuss issues related to the development of Framework 33.
• Other business may be discussed.

Call In information:

Phone:+1 (646) 749-3122 Access Code: 164-824-725

Please note that this is not a toll-free number**Please be sure to mute your phone upon joining the call so that there will not be interference with the team’s discussion**

Online access:

This meeting will be broadcast online via GoToMeeting. Members of the public who call in will not be able to view the webinar and will have listen-only access unless called upon by the PDT. The meeting will begin on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. EST. Click the following link to join. Use VoIP with a microphone and speakers for audio -a headset is recommended.

The New England Fishery Management Council generally posts announcements of Plan Develop Team (PDT) meetings on the Council’s website, occasionally with very little notice. An agenda may or may not be included. Team members may discuss topics, if listed, in any order or add other issues not contained in the meeting notice.

Members of the public may attend PDT meetings, or listen in if the meetings are broadcast, but should not expect to participate unless the PDT chair invites input. Public comments and questions will not be taken during PDT conference calls.

PDTs are responsible to the Council and work on technical analyses as directed by their oversight committee. Once complete, PDT work products are reviewed at oversight committee meetings to which the public is invited. It is at this point that comments are encouraged on a range of issues, including PDT reports and recommendations, proposed management options or other information that is relevant to the committee’s business at that time. The committee, in turn, makes management recommendations to the full Council based on the full suite of information it has available to it.