The Council has approved a number of changes to the current written public comment procedures. The Council process should be a welcoming environment for all public, and the comment process should encourage people to be respectful when commenting. Input from written comments is exceedingly valuable to the Council process, to understand the diversity of perspectives on potential Council action. At the same time, there have recently been instances of profanity or threats being included among the comments. Without moderation to filter out inappropriate content, the comment section can quickly begin to read like a blog with comments on comments, and disrespectful dialogue. As a result, staff will implement the following changes:
- Post written comment policy on Council website and summarize on eAgenda
- Clarify one comment per person per agenda item; however an individual can submit comments on behalf of their organization as well as on behalf of themself
- Consistent with the Department of Commerce policy: no vulgar language, personal attacks, offensive terms targeting protected classes, promoting service or products, non-fisheries-related (off topic), unsupported accusations
- Allow staff to remove comments that are inconsistent with policy
- Allow staff to sort comments to the appropriate agenda item as practicable (comments that are not associated with an agenda item would go in staff tasking)
- Changes to commenting period
- Open commenting later, once materials post online
- Close commenting earlier (Wednesday or Thursday before the start of the meeting) to allow staff to review comments for adherence to the policy
- Do not display comments publicly until after comment deadline closes
Please email npfmc.admin@noaa.gov if you have questions.
