Marine mammal observer meeting

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service is hosting a public informational meeting on the Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program for drift gillnet permit holders in Southeast Alaska.

A public meeting will be held in Wrangell on Thursday, May 24, 6-8 p.m. in the Wrangell Fire Hall. Those who cannot attend in person may participate by phone by calling toll-free 877-216-1555. When prompted, dial the access code 1003197 followed by the # sign.

The Alaska Marine Mammal Observer Program (AMMOP) will begin monitoring the level and nature of interactions between the Southeast Alaska drift gillnet fishery and marine mammals beginning in 2012. Monitoring will occur in Alaska Department of Fish and Game Southeast Alaska commercial fishing districts 6 and 8 in 2012 and 2013. Drift gillnet permit holders are invited to attend a public meeting to learn more about the program and its requirements.

Additional program resources may be found on the AMMOP website at:

http://www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/observers/mmop.htm For details, call AMMOP Coordinator Bridget Mansfield at (907) 586-7642, or Stacey Buckelew, Saltwater, Inc., at (907) 276-3241.