Fishermen’s Participation Sought for NRPB Process

The Northeast Regional Planning Body (NRPB) will have it’s second 2014 meeting in Cambridge, MA, June 25 & 26, 2014. Representatives from five New England coastal states will meet with employees of the Departments of Commerce and Energy to define the Planning Body’s goals and establish recommendations that will be offered as part of a National Ocean Policy.

There are few fishermen inside the official process. But only fishermen will be able to explain to the mostly government employees and managers in the NRPB what fishermen need.

The Northeast Regional Ocean Council, a NOAA agency, is encouraging stakeholders to participate in these meetings. Maine’s Deputy DMR Commissioner Meridith Mendelson said, “It’s not really accurate to say there will be an info-gathering period and then formal ocean policy will begin. The entire planning process here in New England may be largely centered around these characterizations, and improving coordination among agencies and various levels of governance. So in essence, the information gathering phase is the ocean planning process.”

While the planning body is discussing what some consider industrial development that will dramatically change the character, appearance and nature of the New England coast, they are not creating laws. Fishermen, who arguably have the most skin in the game, are hard pressed to find the time to travel to Cambridge, MA. If local meetings are not scheduled this meeting will be among the last to get comment recorded in an effective time frame.

The State of Maine has formed the Maine Advisors Group for regional ocean planning. The other states have similar groups. These groups may offer information on how stakeholders can gain access to the process in their states. Meridith Mendelson’s email address is available to all Maine all stakeholders:merideth.mendelson@maine.gov. The NRPB Data Portal also has information regarding meetings. Coming meetings are posted, ocean mapping that has been done for developing NRPB goals. The “Library” link has transcripts of public comments to date, reports on the development of the NRPB goals, information on how NOAA is looking at the process and more is at: neoceanplanning.org

The Fishermen’ Voice will be continuously updating it’s website with information regarding ongoing developments in the NRPB and the ocean planning process. Go to fishermensvoice.com.

Ocean Planning Timeline: http://northeastoceancouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Meeting-Materials-NE-RPB-01.22-23.2014-Meeting.pdf