NJ Marine Fisheries Council Meeting 1/5

[Gerry Zagorski]

The NJ Marine Fisheries Council will meet On Thursday 1/5 at 5:00 PM. Sorry for the short notice and I can't make this one but hopefully some of you can.

While there is nothing immediately pressing on the agenda https://dep.nj.gov/wp-content/upload...da01-06-22.pdf there is an opportunity for general public comments at the end of the meeting. You can either attend in person in Galloway or join the webinar. To join the webinar you need to pre register https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/reg...58979969711704

As you all know, the recent annual meetings where the council chooses from various options are too hurried since this process occurs right up against the deadlines of the new season.

This has caused several concerns in the past:
- The council does not have enough time to digest public comments since it's sprung on them at the last minute.
- There are no means for a confirmation of the receipt of public comments or a quantitative ranking of which options the public favors.
- This causes public doubts in the process and it's transparency.

The result is:
- The public feels like their comments are not being heard, recorded or passed on to the council for consideration.
- Whoever has an opportunity to attend and actually speak at the final few hour meeting, are the only people able to be heard and potentially influence the councils decisions on the final option.


These decisions are far too important and need to be given the appropriate time and attention. If you agree, when public comments are allowed, you need to ask the council to consider expanding the timeline and opportunities leading up to the final meeting to receive, process, record and quantify public comments on the options. The comments should also be included in the final meeting agenda as public record.