PUBLIC TESTIMONY Public testimony may be taken at Council meetings, committee meetings, scoping meetings, or public hearings on issues where the Council is scheduled to take action. Written comments can also be provided directly to the Council for purposes of satisfying public input on Council actions, and such comments will be incorporated as part of the Council administrative record. All comments will be reviewed and considered in the management process.   PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS Public scoping meetings are held to discuss and solicit public comment prior to the development or revision (through amendment or framework adjustment) of fishery management plans.  Currently, there are no scheduled public scoping meetings.   PUBLIC HEARINGS Public hearings are held to review draft fishery management plans/amendments/frameworks and solicit public comments prior to final implementation. Amendment 1 to the Tilefish FMP:   Public Hearings were held Jan 30 through Feb 6, 2008 (see the Press Release below for details).  The Public Comment Period, which expired Feb 11, 2008, was advertized on the MAFMC homepage, the Federal Register, and through the mass-distribution of an MAFMC press release (see below).  Public comments are currently being compiled by Council staff and will be reviewed by the Council at an upcoming meeting.  The timing of that meeting will be announced through the same process.       Press Release for Public Hearing Public Hearing Summary Document Complete Draft Amendment 9 document PLEASE SEND COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO THE COUNCIL: Room 2115 Federal Building 300 S. New Street Dover, DE 19904 Phone: (302) 674-2331 Toll-Free Phone: 877-44-MAFMC (446-2362) Fax: (302) 674-5399 email: info@mafmc.org Last Updated:  February 12, 2008