At its June meeting, the Council will accept written comments and oral testimony regarding recommendations for actions to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and to increase production within sustainable limits, per the recent Executive Order “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness”. Section 4 of EO 14276 specifically provides for input from the Regional Fishery Management Councils:
(i) The Secretary of Commerce shall request that each Regional Fishery Management Council, within 180 days of the date of this order, provide the Secretary of Commerce with updates to their recommendations submitted pursuant to Executive Order 13921, to reduce burdens on domestic fishing and to increase production. Building upon the earlier goals, identified actions should stabilize markets, improve access, enhance economic profitability, and prevent closures. The Regional Fishery Management Councils will commit to a work plan and a schedule for implementation to ensure these actions are prioritized.
A letter from the new NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Eugenio Pineiro-Soler, which is posted as an attachment to agenda item B-1, provides instructions on how the Councils will provide input. Recommendations from the fishery management councils are due September 1. The Council is seeking input from the public in June under the B-reports regarding these recommendations.
Note that the Secretary of Commerce is also soliciting comments directly from the public on innovative ideas to improve fisheries management and science within the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and other laws; a Federal Register notice announcing a public comment opportunity is anticipated.