Mid-Atlantic Region Fisheries Management Meeting June 12 will be Available on the Internet

Meeting will Discuss the Effects of Climate on Fisheries Resources of the Region

     New York, NY -- On Tuesday, June 12, from 5 to 6 p.m. the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will host a meeting and webinar on the effects of climate change. The meeting will be held at the Hilton in New York and will be available on the Internet at http://www.mafmc.org/

     An important element of stock assessment is to forecast the abundance of fish in the future and then recommend catch limits that either maintain or rebuild stocks to defined levels. Most stock assessment forecasts assume variability but no trends in underlying environmental and ecological influences. However, contrary to such assumptions, in the northeast U.S. and adjacent waters, there is clear evidence that the climate is changing and that there is pronounced decadal variability in climate. Further, there is clear evidence that climate is affecting fish abundance and distribution.

     Incorporating climate change into fisheries management is going to be a major challenge facing NOAA in coming decades; they have tools and approaches that can be used now, but need to further develop these and expand their application to meet this growing challenge. NOAA also needs to develop a dialogue with the Fishery Management Councils so that the needs and questions of the Councils are considered as the research into the effects of climate change on fisheries develops.

     So, if you have questions, need answers, or just want to express your concerns regarding climate change, you will be able to talk directly to Jon Hare of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Lab and leaders from the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service. 

     You can attend in person in New York or via the internet. For online webinar access register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/759109120. This is the same link for listening-in to the Council meeting - Agenda. 

     Regarding the Listening Session process, contact Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5254 if you have any questions or if you would like to confirm that your computer is set up to access the webinar. The webinar works for most computers, but sometimes there are technical problems with remote voice communication from online participants. In such cases, participants may still use a chat feature in the webinar to submit their comments or questions.