Bluefin Tuna Listening Sessions This Week and Next


If you are interested in providing your input to NMFS on the requested Endangered Species Listing for bluefin, now is a time to do so. You can attend in person. These are designed to be informal opportunities to discuss the status and trends of bluefin tuna from a fisherman's perspective.

There will be a 20 minute presentation on the Endangered Species listing review followed by comments and a public discussion on the following topics:


1.) General impressions of the abundance and distribution of Atlantic bluefin tuna over
2.) Trend observed in bluefin tuna catches over time
3.) Perception of the cause - change in abundance, shift in
distribution, change in availability, gear changes, regulatory
effects, etc.
4.) Bluefin tuna "hot spots" Locations (Inshore or offshore)
Spatial and temporal fluctuations.
5.) Average size of bluefin tuna being caught by different gear types or fisheries.
6.) Other information relevant to the review of the status of bluefin tuna

One Can Join The Hearings Remotely:

WEBEX - NMFS has also arranged to have a Web Ex for each
session. The information for this is provided below

CONFERENCE CALL: NMFS has reserved an operator assisted
conference line for those wishing to call in. The number is
888-455-1634, and the operator will ask for a verbal passcode which is
"bluefin tuna." The operator will ask for your name and affiliation and
will help to facilitate those on the call to ensure that anyone
wishing to ask a question or provide information has the opportunity to
do so.

For further information on any of the above, please contact Kim
Damon-Randall at 978-282-8485; NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive,
Gloucester, MA
01930; Kimberly.Damon-Randall@noaa.gov.



The following is the WebEx information for each of the 5 sessions. The call in information is the same for each session and is as follows:

Conference call in number: 888-455-1634
Passcode: BLUEFINTUNA

WebEx information:

Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011
Time: 9:45 am, Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05:00, New York)
Meeting Number: 689 799 532
Meeting Password: Bluefin1

Please click the link below to see more information, or to join the meeting.

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To join the online meeting (Now from iPhones too!)
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1. Go to https://nero-fso.webex.com/nero-fso/j.php?ED=125270042&UID=1084308412&PW=b3f7451ad36f5c4725454d1d55
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: Bluefin1
4. Click "Join Now".

Date: Friday, January 7, 2011
Time: 9:45 am, Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05:00, New York)
Meeting Number: 689 790 674
Meeting Password: Bluefin1

Please click the link below to see more information, or to join the meeting.

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To join the online meeting (Now from iPhones too!)
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1. Go to https://nero-fso.webex.com/nero-fso/j.php?ED=125270082&UID=1084308482&PW=362e1fb30926262922232f62
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: Bluefin1
4. Click "Join Now".

Date: Monday, January 10, 2011 (NOTE: This meeting starts at 10:00 CST so 11:00 EST)
Time: 10:45 am, Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05:00, New York)
Meeting Number: 685 676 900
Meeting Password: Bluefin1

Please click the link below to see more information, or to join the meeting.

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To join the online meeting (Now from iPhones too!)
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1. Go to https://nero-fso.webex.com/nero-fso/j.php?ED=125270702&UID=1084310587&PW=41ad1a70593f2e28272d1d
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: Bluefin1
4. Click "Join Now".

Date: Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Time: 9:45 am, Eastern Standard Time (GMT -05:00, New York)
Meeting Number: 688 696 659
Meeting Password: Bluefin1

Please click the link below to see more information, or to join the meeting.

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To join the online meeting (Now from iPhones too!)
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1. Go to https://nero-fso.webex.com/nero-fso/j.php?ED=125270427&UID=1084310837&PW=f292dd5126001e030c050547
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Enter the meeting password: Bluefin1
4. Click "Join Now".