The primary agenda items for this round of lobster zone council meetings is to discuss individual zone minimum trawl lengths and weak points, as well as next steps at the federal level.

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.

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+1 207-209-4724   United States, Portland (Toll)
Conference ID: 300 608 701#

Please see the draft agenda below:

1. Welcome and Review Agenda

1. New Business         

• Zone D Sub-Committee Presents the Right Whale Conservation Equivalency Recommendations to the Zone D Council
• Lobster Zone Council Discussion re:  Recommendations
• Open Discussion re:  Recommendations
• Zone D Council Position re:  Recommendations
• Maximum Trawl Length – Zone authority (not through Federal Whale Plan)

3. Reports & Updates –     Next Steps:

• Proposed Rule/Comment Period
• Biological Opinion

4. Next Meeting Date Set

Agenda

:• Review Results of 2020 Scallop Management Track Assessment.

•Review preliminary survey results from all available 2020scallop surveys, including: SMAST drop camera surveys, Coonamessett Farm Foundation Habcam surveys, VIMS dredge surveys.

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

•Other business may be discussed, as necessary.

Online access:

This meeting will be broadcast online via GoToWebinar. The meeting will begin on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 9:30a.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 (562) 247-8321 Access Code: 234-504-187

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.

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 Tuesday, October 20, 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 (646) 749-3122  Access Code: 839-281-189

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.

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.