Reminder: Scoping Meeting for the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan on Tuesday, September 27 at 4:30 p.m.

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NOAA Fisheries - New England - Mid Atlantic Bulletin

September 26, 2022

Reminder: Scoping Meeting for the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan

Tuesday, September 27 at 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

We will be conducting a virtual scoping meeting to collect public input on modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce the risk of death and serious injury caused by U.S. commercial fishing gear to endangered North Atlantic right whales in compliance with the mandates of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 

We are seeking suggestions for measures for all U.S. commercial fisheries regulated by the Plan (U.S. East Coast gillnet, Atlantic mixed species trap/pot, and Mid-Atlantic and Northeast lobster and Jonah crab trap/pot fisheries) that would reach a 90% minimum risk reduction needed to bring mortality and serious injury below the potential biological removal level for this species, as discussed during the November 2021 Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team webinar. If you would like to understand more about the estimated risk reduction calculations, register to watch this recording of the November 2021 meeting.

How to Attend

Register to attend the virtual public scoping meeting. This meeting will be recorded.

How to Comment

Attendance at a scoping meeting is not the only way to provide comments. You may also submit comments in writing through our online portal, Regulations.gov as well as through this virtual scoping meeting.

More Information

The scoping period will be open through October 11, 2022. For more background, please review the information on our Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan web page, the Right Whale Unusual Mortality Event web page, and the many recorded webinars.

Questions?

Regarding scoping: Contact nmfs.gar.alwtrt@noaa.gov

Media: Contact Allison Ferreira, Regional Office, 978-281-9103