Council to Discuss Sandy's Impacts During Next Listening Session


Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting
Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 5:00 pm

Pier V Hotel, 711 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and NMFS Representatives will answer questions and discuss the impacts of “Superstorm” Sandy at the next public listening session in Baltimore, MD on Wednesday, December 12. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act allows the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide economic relief to the fishing industry under a disaster declaration, but fishermen, processors, boat owners, and others have faced confusion and uncertainty about what types of assistance are available, who is eligible, and how to apply.

During the listening session, representatives from the National Marine Fisheries Service will describe their preliminary assessment of the storm’s economic impacts. They will also explain the agency’s role in providing assistance and will answer several frequently asked questions. Following the presentations, all members of the public are invited to ask questions and participate in an open discussion with Council members and NMFS representatives. Interested individuals may attend in person or participate via webinar. Register for the webinar HERE.

Superstorm Sandy hit the East Coast late last month, causing billions of dollars of damage along the coastlines of Mid-Atlantic and New England states. In the following weeks, individuals in the affected states have begun working to rebuild and repair destroyed docks, boats, marinas, homes, and other infrastructure—many will face lost income for weeks, and possibly months, to come. Although the economic impacts have not yet been fully calculated, preliminary assessments indicate that the storm’s impacts have been devastating to several areas of the Mid-Atlantic.

Quick Links
Meeting Agenda Summary
Click here for the full agenda
December 10-11, 2012
9:00 am -5:00 p.m. Visioning and Strategic Planning Working Group

December 12, 2012
8:00 a.m. Executive Committee

9:00 a.m. Business Session

11:30 a.m. Highly Migratory Species

1:00 p.m. Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish

2:30 p.m. Special Management Zones

3:30 p.m. Black Sea Bass Issues

5:00 p.m. Listening Session

December 13, 2012
9:00 a.m. Finalize Summer Flounder 2013 Rec. Management Measures

10:30 a.m. Finalize Scup 2013 Management Measures

1:00 p.m. Finalize Black Sea Bass 2013 Rec. Management Measures

4:00 p.m. Continuing and New Business