How to Participate in the Process

Improving Stakeholder
Participation
in
Fisheries Management
Patricia Fiorelli
New England Fishery Management Council Staff
MREP – March 29, 2011

Elements of Successful Management
1. Availability of timely scientific
information
2. Quality and quantity of information
3. Opportunity for thorough analyses of
options under consideration
4. Fishing community and public input
EARLY in the process (scoping and
development of alternatives)

Importance of Effective Participation
• Intent of the Council process is to
maximize public participation
• Effective participation increases
individual and organizational
credibility
• Effective participation allows
fishermen to make the maximize time
off the water and in meetings

Importance of Effective Participation
• Reduces end-runs (undue political
influence and lawsuits)
• Results more effective and acceptable
• Improves compliance
• Reduces regulatory costs on fishermen
• Process is defendable in court (and
required by law, NEPA)

Importance of Effective Participation
• The Council relies on fishermen’s expertise
to complement available scientific
information and to develop effective FMPs
• Scientific data are not always complete and
management options are rarely perfect –
community and public participation can
lead to better technical solutions
• Effective participation is critical for the
long-term fisheries management success

Council Process
‣ Integrated public participation of those
affected by and interested in effective
fishery regulations
‣ Follows NEPA requirements (and more)
‣ Normal process – public scoping;
hearings on draft EIS with analysis of
alternatives; final choice and comment
on proposed rules that implement that
choice

FMPs, Amendments and Frameworks
Committee and Council identify management issues
SCOPING – Council seeks comments on management issues
Committee and Council select options for analysis
Stakeholder Proposals
Input from Advisors
PDT analyzes measures and develops Draft EIS
PUBLIC HEARINGS – and 45-day public comment period
Committee and Council select final measures
for submission to NMFS
Public Comment
Input from Advisors

Council
Committee/Advisors
Direct committee to develop: problem statement, management
strategy, goals and objectives, measures acceptable to achieve
goals, PDT tasking and timelines. Focus on timelines and
consequences of delay.
Take action as directed by Council. Give
direction to PDT. Consider input from advisory
panel and public.
FMP
Development
Process
SSC
Refer to operating policies (page 15) for the SSC for a
complete description of SSC responsibilities.
Council
Approve problem statement, management
strategy, goals and objectives, etc. from
Committee.
PDT
Develop options as directed by
Committee and Council,
conduct technical analyses, and
write plan documents.
Committee
Review PDT options, advisory
panel advice and public input.
Refine or choose preferred
alternative and prepare report
to Council.
Advisors
Review PDT options and give advice
(recommendations to refine) to Committee.
Provide final advice on
management program.
SSC
Council
Review PDT options, committee, SSC
and advisors' recommendations, take
public comment and approve final
measures for plan.
Evaluate and critique effectiveness
of plan and measures to meet FMP
objectives.
PDT
NMFS
Review, approve,
implement and administer
plan.

Why should you participate?
• To provide your expertise and experience
• To be involved in decisions about your
livelihood – allocation
• To get the “scoop” firsthand – to
understand the legal requirements and
the social/economic impacts of
management decisions
• To educate and involve others in your
community

How can you participate?
• Get involved EARLY in the process
• Attend committee and Council meetings
when proposals are being developed
• Become an advisor for the fisheries in
which you are involved
• Submit comments on management
proposals and attend public hearings

Guidelines for Providing Public
Comments
‣ Public comments at Council meetings
‣ Limits on comments
‣ Additional time for comments at Council
meetings
‣ Submission of written materials
‣ Public input at other types of Council
meetings (committees, hearings, etc)
‣ Don’t pick fights – “you people”
‣ Suggest solutions – not objections
‣ Recognize that your fishery observations,
although important, may be localized

Other Important Elements of Participation
• Communicate with Council members
• Participate in local industry groups and
talk to other stakeholders
• Work with others to develop management
proposals and initiatives
• Talk to advisors
• Talk to Council staff
• Encourage others to get involved

Where Can You Get Information?
• Make sure you are on the Council’s mailing
lists
• Check the NEFMC and NMFS websites: -
www.nefmc.org = www.nero.noaa.gov/nero,
(look at links too!)
• Talk to Council members and advisors
• Check with the Council staff – they will
always give you the best information!
• Read fisheries-related publications

How Can You Be Effective?
‣ Timing: earlier is (usually) better
(example: Council sets management
priorities each November)
‣ Organization
‣ Do your homework – understand the
issues
‣ Persistence
‣ Patience - there are different points of
view – not adversaries