Click here to download this press release as a PDF
Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) Meeting
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
And Via 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.
Regarding the Listening Session process, please 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.