Mid-Atlantic Council to Host Two-Part Public Listening Session on August 14

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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) Meeting
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 - 5:00 pm
Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown, 21 N. Juniper St., Philadelphia, PA 19107
And Via the Internet at http://www.mafmc.org/

Part 1: MAFMC Strategic Planning- Purpose, Process, and Expected Outcomes

On Monday, August 13, the Council’s Visioning and Strategic Planning Working Group will convene for the first in a series of meetings to develop a 10-year strategic plan.  Since the public has asked a number of questions and expressed an interest in the strategic planning process, Council staff will present a strategic planning overview during the August 14 listening session and will answer some of the most frequently asked questions such as: 

• Why does the Council need a strategic plan when the legal mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act provide very specific guidelines for fisheries management?
•  What kinds of changes could occur as a result of the strategic plan? 
•  What role will the Stakeholder Input Report play in the planning process, and how will the concerns and interests of stakeholders be taken in to consideration?

Attend the listening session and get the answers to these questions and more!

Part 2: Meet John Bullard, the New NMFS Regional Administrator

John K. Bullard, former mayor of New Bedford, began work August 6 as the new Regional Administrator of NOAA’s Northeast Regional Office.  John will spend much of his time over the next several months meeting with stakeholders and asking two key questions: 

•  What are your one or two most important issues?
• What would success look like related to fisheries in the Northeast Region?

During this informal listening session, Mr. Bullard will be available to hear your answers to these questions and answer any questions that you may have for him.  

Council Releases Stakeholder Report and Launches Strategic Planning Process

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The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has released a final report summarizing the ideas, concerns, and recommendations from more than 1,500 individuals who provided input for the Visioning and Strategic Planning Project.  

The Stakeholder Input Report outlines 55 themes/concerns and 123 recommendations from three of the Council’s primary stakeholder groups—the commercial industry, the recreational sector, and the environmental community.  Participants commented on topics ranging from decision-making and communication procedures to management strategies for specific fisheries.  

Outreach and data gathering for the report occurred over a five month period beginning in September 2011.  Online and mail surveys were available to anyone interested in providing input on fisheries management, and council members and staff met with more than 200 individuals in 20 locations throughout the Northeast region in roundtable sessions.  Organizations also had the opportunity to submit position letters describing their concerns and priorities for Mid-Atlantic fisheries.

“The Council has a diverse constituency, and we recognize that effective fisheries management must include meaningful stakeholder participation,” said Council Chairman Rick Robins.  “We have a history of successful stock rebuilding, but we continue to struggle with maintaining full stakeholder engagement. This report and the forthcoming strategic plan will enable the Council to make decisions that are more accurately informed by stakeholder perspectives.”

Report Highlights

The Stakeholder Input Report, which is available on the Council’s website, is organized in to three sections—Themes and Recommendations, Stakeholder Visions, and Fishery-Specific Themes.  Themes and Recommendations are further organized in to six categories, including Information and Data, Management Strategies, Economic Challenges, Communication and Participation, Governance and Ecosystems. 

Although stakeholder perspectives are often characterized as inherently conflicting, a number of common themes were identified by members of the commercial fishing industry, the recreational fishing sector, environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), and the general public.  These themes included:

• There is a lack of confidence in the data that drive fishery management decisions.
• Stakeholders are not as involved in the Council process as they can and should be.
• Different jurisdictions and regulations among the many fishery management organizations result in complexity and inconsistency.
• There is a need for increased transparency and clearer communications in fisheries management.
• The dynamics of the ecosystem and food web should be considered to a greater extent in fisheries management decisions.
• Stakeholders are not adequately represented on the Council.
• Pollution is negatively affecting the health of fish stocks.

In addition to voicing concerns and providing recommendations, stakeholders identified elements of a “Vision” for successful fisheries and fisheries management in the Mid-Atlantic.  Five common characteristics of a vision were identified across all stakeholder groups, including:

• Fish populations are thriving and are harvested at sustainable levels.
• Management decisions are based on sound data and science.
• There is equitable consideration of the needs of diverse stakeholder groups; the interest of no one stakeholder group outweighs another.
• There is little waste in the fisheries, and regulatory discards are minimal. 
• More stakeholders are involved in the management process.  

Next Steps

The report will play a critical role in the Council’s strategic planning process, scheduled to begin next month when the newly-established Visioning and Strategic Planning Working Group meets for the first time.  The working group, comprising approximately 25 Council members and stakeholders, will draft a Vision, Goal Statement, and 10-year Strategic Plan to guide the Council’s management decisions and priorities.

“This report is the product of the largest outreach and data gathering initiative the Council has ever undertaken.  There is a sincere commitment among Council members to integrate stakeholder input in to the strategic plan as much as possible,” said Chairman Robins.  “We are grateful to the 1,500 stakeholders who took the time to share their concerns and ideas with us, and the vision and strategic plan will reflect their input.”  

Click here to download the full report

Additional details about the strategic planning process and opportunities for involvement will be posted in August.

Mid-Atlantic Council Recommends Measures to Protect River Herring and Shad

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Council Approves Amendment 14 and Initiates Amendment 15

At last week’s meeting in New York City, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council recommended measures to improve catch monitoring and reduce bycatch of river herrings (blueback and alewife) and shads (American and hickory) in the Atlantic mackerel and longfin squid fisheries.  These recommendations, if approved by The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), will be implemented via Amendment 14 to the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan.  

River herrings and shads are among a number of important forage species in the Northeast region.  Although they are not managed as directed fisheries, river herrings and shads are caught as incidental catch (bycatch) by trawlers fishing for mackerel and squid. 

Concerns about bycatch of these species have escalated in recent months after an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) stock assessment indicated that 92% of the 24 assessed river herring stocks were depleted.  The Council initiated Amendment 14 in response to a request from the ASMFC to improve monitoring and reduce river herring interactions as part of a coordinated effort to address sources of river herring mortality.

The recommended measures for Amendment 14 include a catch cap for river herrings and shads in the mackerel fishery beginning in 2014 and increased vessel and dealer reporting requirements. The Council recommended that NMFS increase observer coverage in the mackerel fishery and require 100% coverage on mid-water trawlers.  A portion of the costs associated with these new requirements would be paid by fishery participants. More rigorous reporting and monitoring requirements are expected to result in more accurate and complete data on river herring and shad catches.  

The Council discussed the feasibility of adding river herrings and/or shads as directly managed fisheries in Amendment 14, and they determined that a follow-up Amendment (15) would allow for a more complete consideration of the issue.  Amendment 15 could include provisions for setting Annual Catch Limits, identifying Essential Fish Habitat, and establishing joint management with management partners such as the New England Fishery Management Council and/or the ASMFC.  

“The Council recommended a strong monitoring program that will substantially improve our understanding of river herring and shad interactions in these small-mesh trawl fisheries,” said Council Chairman Rick Robins. “A catch cap will enable the Council to directly limit river herring and shad bycatch in these fisheries, and it will encourage the fleet to utilize bycatch avoidance programs to target mackerel and longfin squid in areas with lower rates of river herring and shad interactions.”

Public Listening Session –The Effects of Climate on Fisheries Resources of the Mid-Atlantic Region

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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) Meeting
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY
And Via the Internet at http://www.mafmc.org/

An important element of stock assessment is to forecast the abundance of fish in the future and then recommend catch limits that either maintain or rebuild stocks to defined levels.  Most stock assessment forecasts assume variability but no trends in underlying environmental and ecological influences.  However, contrary to such assumptions, in the northeast U.S. and adjacent waters, there is clear evidence that the climate is changing and that there is pronounced decadal variability in climate.  Further, there is clear evidence that climate is affecting fish abundance and distribution. 

Incorporating climate change into fisheries management is going to be a major challenge facing NOAA in coming decades; they have tools and approaches that can be used now, but need to further develop these and expand their application to meet this growing challenge.  NOAA also needs to develop a dialogue with the Fishery Management Councils so that the needs and questions of the Councils are considered as the research into the effects of climate change on fisheries develops.  So, if you have questions, need answers, or just want to express your concerns regarding climate change, you will be able to talk directly to Jon Hare of the Northeast Fisheries Science Center Narragansett Lab and leaders from the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Regarding the Listening Session process, please contact Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5254 if you have any questions or if you would like to confirm that your computer is set up to access the webinar.  The webinar works for most computers, but sometimes there are technical problems with remote voice communication from online participants.  In such cases, participants may still use a chat feature in the webinar to submit their comments or questions.  

​

Public Listening Session – BOEM Offshore Renewable Energy Program

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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) Meeting
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Sanderling Inn, 1461 Duck Road, Duck, NC
And Via the Internet at http://www.mafmc.org/

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is engaged in siting offshore renewable energy facilities along the Atlantic seaboard.  As part of the planning and analysis for the offshore renewable energy process BOEM is reaching out to fishers to solicit their thoughts regarding offshore renewable energy as well as informing fishers about the offshore renewable energy leasing process.

This update will primarily focus on offshore renewable energy activities in the Mid-Atlantic (New York to North Carolina).  Updates on the status of various BOEM-funded studies will also be presented.  Information regarding BOEM’s renewable energy program can be found at:  http://www.boem.gov/Renewable-Energy-Program/index.aspx.  Incorporating input and feedback from fishers is important to BOEM’s planning process.  With this in mind, the Council will host a Public Listening Session in which BOEM representatives, will provide an update and take questions and input from the audience and those online (see below for registration).  If you have questions, need answers, or just want to express your concerns regarding the BOEM offshore renewable energy program, you will be able to talk directly to BOEM staff and leaders from the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service.  

You can attend in person in Duck or via the internet.  For online webinar access register at:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/357029721.   This is the same link for listening-in to the Council meeting - Agenda.

Regarding the Listening Session process, please contact Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5254 if you have any questions or if you would like to confirm that your computer is set-up to access the webinar.  The webinar works for most computers, but sometimes remote voice communication from online participants has problems.  In such cases, participants may still use a chat feature in the webinar to type submit their comments or questions.  You can also email questions for the Listening Session before the meeting begins to jdidden@mafmc.org.  

Mid-Atlantic Council Votes to Initiate Amendment for Deep-Sea Coral Management

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The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted to develop a plan amendment to protect deep-sea corals at their meeting in Duck, NC last week.  This is the first time the Council has ever initiated an action specifically to protect corals in the Mid-Atlantic region. 

Deep-sea corals provide important habitat for many commercially and recreationally important fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic.  While Mid-Atlantic deep-sea coral species do not build reefs, some types are structurally complex and require hard substrates for attachment.  These corals, which are important habitat areas, are thought to be particularly vulnerable to physical damage because of their slow growth rates.

“This decision demonstrates the Council’s commitment to manage and protect not only Mid-Atlantic fisheries but also the habitats that those fish rely on,” said Council Chairman Rick Robins.  “Our understanding of the location and ecological significance of deep-sea corals has improved in recent years and will benefit from upcoming benthic survey work in the Mid-Atlantic region.  This deep-sea coral amendment will put the Council in a position to manage these sensitive components of the marine ecosystem.”  

The amendment would include provisions for developing management measures to protect areas with high densities of deep-sea corals.  These areas were identified in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions during the development of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Amendment.  The amendment was initiated in 2005 to develop a comprehensive plan that will minimize adverse effects of fishing on deep-sea corals and other areas of EFH. 

To date, efforts to identify and protect deep-sea coral areas have involved collaboration between the Mid-Atlantic and New England Councils.  In order to preserve the continuity of the process, the Council also voted last week to develop a memorandum of understanding between the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and South Atlantic Councils.  This will allow the councils to coordinate broad-scale deep-sea coral management measures.

Council Seeks Nominations for Atlantic Sturgeon Advisory Panel

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The Council is soliciting nominations from qualified individuals to serve on its Atlantic Sturgeon Advisory Panel including individuals with expertise in sturgeon biology and life history, sturgeon population assessment, and those familiar with sturgeon interactions with fisheries and gear types in the Mid-Atlantic. Advisors will assist in the development of management measures to reduce impacts on Atlantic sturgeon by helping the Council better understand the issues surrounding sturgeon and their interactions with Mid-Atlantic fisheries. Applicants who are appointed to the Atlantic Sturgeon Advisory Panel will serve a term of 3 years. 

Anyone interested in serving as a member on the Council's Atlantic Sturgeon Advisory Panel can submit an application to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901, email the form to info1@mafmc.org or fax it to (302) 674-5399.  Please note as the subject on your email or fax:  ATLANTIC STURGEON ADVISORY PANEL.  Applications can be obtained by visiting http://www.mafmc.org/, or by contacting the Council office at (302) 674-2331 (ext.253). 

Applications must be received by May 11, 2012.

Council Seeking Applications for Advisory Panel Members

Visioning Project results in new process 

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The Council has been engaged in a Visioning and Strategic Planning project with the goal of implementing changes to the management process and improving its fishery management plans based on stakeholder input.  As a direct result of this effort, the advisory panel process is being revised to enhance the role of advisors.  The Council is soliciting applications from qualified individuals to serve on its eight advisory panels.

Advisory panels will be composed of individuals with diverse experiences and interests in Mid-Atlantic fisheries.  Advisors will play an important role in the fishery management process and will be directly responsible for fishery performance reports that help the Council better understand trends in fisheries and impact of management decisions on stakeholders. In addition, these reports will be considered by the Scientific and Statistical Committee and by the Council in the quota setting process.  

The Council is seeking advisors to serve on the following advisory panels:

•  Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass 
•  Tilefish 
•  Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish 
•  Surfclam and Ocean Quahog
•  Bluefish
•  Dogfish (Jointly managed with New England Council) 
•  Monkfish (Jointly managed with New England Council)
•  Ecosystems, Habitat, and Ocean Planning

Advisory panel members will be appointed during the next meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council scheduled for April 10-12, 2012 in Duck, NC.  Appointed advisors will serve a term of 3 years. 

Anyone interested in serving as a member on one of these advisory panels can submit an application to the Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 N. State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901, email the form to info1@mafmc.org or fax it to (302) 674-5399.  Please note as the subject on your email or fax:  ADVISORY PANEL.  Applications can be obtained by visiting http://www.mafmc.org/, or by contacting the Council office at (877) 446-2362.

Applications must be received by March 30, 2012.

NMFS Solicits Proposals for MAFMC 2013 Research Set-Aside Program

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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced that it is accepting proposals under the Mid-Atlantic Council's Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program for research activities to be conducted in 2013.  Applications must be received by NMFS on or before 5 p.m. EST on April 2, 2012. 

The Council, in coordination with NMFS and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, may set aside up to 3 percent of the total allowable landings (TAL) in certain Mid-Atlantic fisheries to be used for research endeavors.  The RSA program provides a mechanism to fund research and compensate vessel owners through the sale of fish harvested under the research quota.  Vessels participating in an approved research project may be authorized by the NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator to harvest and land species in excess of any imposed trip limit or during fishery closures.  Landings from such trips are sold to generate funds that help defray the costs associated with the approved research projects. No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification.

NMFS is soliciting proposals for research activities concerning the summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, Loligo squid, Illex squid, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, river herring, bluefish, and tilefish fisheries.  NMFS and the Council will give priority to funding proposals addressing the research needs as follows:

2013 Research Priority List

Spanning Multiple Species

• Conduct fishery independent surveys for all Mid-Atlantic species, especially in the near shore zone (as provided by the Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program-NEAMAP).

Interactions Between Loligo Squid, Butterfish, Atlantic Mackerel & River Herring (alosine)

• Evaluate potential improvements to at-sea observer and port sampling procedures and investigate accuracy and precision of at-sea observer and port sampling based estimates of catches of butterfish and alosine species in the Loligo fishery and alosine species in the mackerel fishery.
• Test gear modifications (in addition to mesh size) and/or alternative gear types (e.g., jigging) in the Loligo squid fishery to reduce bycatch of butterfish and other species.
• Study mortality rates of Loligo squid that pass through trawl mesh to evaluate effects of mesh regulations on fishing mortality of Loligo by size/age.
• Evaluate use of videography to document Loligo catches without any or minimal butterfish bycatch.
• During the spring, conduct exploratory sampling for SMB species in deep water beyond the range of the current NEFSC spring survey.

Summer Flounder

• Evaluate the length, weight, and age compositions of landed and discarded fish in the summer flounder fisheries (recreational and commercial) by sex.   Focus age sampling on summer flounder 24 inches or larger in total length.

Bluefish

• Evaluate amount and length, weight, and age compositions of discards from the commercial and recreational fisheries.
• Collect size and age composition of the fisheries by gear type and statistical area.
• Develop a pilot program to determine the optimum sample size for a coastwide age-length key, and test the feasibility of state-level sampling combined with regional-level sampling consistent with the recommendations of the 2011 ASMFC Bluefish Ageing Workshop.  
• Initiate fishery-dependent and independent sampling of offshore populations of bluefish during the winter months (consider migration, seasonal fisheries, and unique selectivity patterns resulting in a bimodal partial recruitment pattern; consider if the migratory pattern results in several recruitment events).
• Develop bluefish index surveys (proof of concept); including abundance/biomass trend estimates for the offshore populations in winter.

Black Sea Bass

• Validate methods used to age black sea bass (scales vs. otoliths).
• Perform studies focused on life history and reproductive behaviors, such as changes in sex ratio as a function of age and size or the evaluation of the sizes of territories in relation to mating or reproduction.
• Increase age sampling across all components of the commercial and recreational fisheries.
• Increase sea sampling to verify information from commercial logbooks toward providing better estimates of discards.
• Develop fishery independent indices.

Scup

• Develop fishery independent indices for scup ages 2+.
• Estimate the fishery components used to calculate scup mortality (commercial and recreational landings, and discards).
• Expand age sampling of scup from commercial and recreational catches.  Focus age sampling on scup 10 inches or larger in total length.

Illex squid

• Determine size, age-at-maturity, and growth parameters for Illex squid.

Tilefish

• Investigate the effects of hook size and other fishing practices (e.g., bait type and soak time) on catchability of tilefish by size in the longline fishery.

Complete Details and to Apply

For complete details and information on how to apply, please visit the Grants.gov web site (http://www.grants.gov).  Click on the 'Grant Search' Quick Link on the upper right-hand corner of the page under FOR APPLICANTS and then search for Funding Opportunity Number  NOAA-NMFS-NEFSC-2013-2003258

After clicking on the '2013 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside' link under Opportunity Title, click on the 'Full Announcement' link in the middle of the bar at the top of the page.  On the next page click on the 'Full Announcement'  next to the Description 'Federal Funding Opportunity' to open or save the full text of the Announcement (19 pages) to your hard drive.  

Council Announces Visioning Project Extension

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The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council announces an extension of the survey and comment deadline for its Visioning Initiative. The initiative is an opportunity for anyone interested in fisheries managed by the Council to weigh in on the future of fisheries management in the Mid-Atlantic. Survey responses can now be submitted until February 29, 2012.

“The Council has reached a pivotal moment in the management of our region’s fisheries. While we have effectively rebuilt most of our managed stocks, we need to develop a cohesive vision for the future of our fisheries, fishing communities, and ecosystems. With this vision we can develop a strategic plan that includes specific goals, timelines, and metrics for success,” said Council Chairman Rick Robins. 

The Council is asking the public to take one or more online surveys to provide their ideas and comments on fisheries management policies and processes. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to share their varied perspectives and opinions with the Council. In addition to the main survey, there are short species-specific surveys where anyone interested in a particular species can provide detailed input on the management of that fishery. Links to all surveys are posted on the Visioning website: http://www.mafmc.org/vision. 

Organizations also have the opportunity to submit position letters that will be included in the Visioning data package. Any organization, including non-governmental organizations, recreational fishing clubs, and commercial fishing associations, can submit a letter addressing areas of particular concern or providing recommendations to the Council. Position letter guidelines are available on the Visioning website. 

Although nearly 900 surveys have already been submitted, the Council decided to extend the deadline by a month so that everyone who wants to participate has an opportunity to do so. “We recognize that the Council’s stakeholders have a range of interests and priorities. We are really trying to make sure that the results of this project accurately represent these interests and that we get high levels of participation from all stakeholder groups,” said Executive Director Chris Moore. 

The deadline for submission of surveys and position letters is February 29, 2012. All input received will be presented at the April Council meeting, at which point the Council will begin crafting a vision and accompanying strategic plan designed to achieve that vision. For additional details about the project, or for survey links and position letter guidelines, visit http://www.mafmc.org/vision or contact Mary Clark at mclark@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5261.

Public Listening Session- Marine Recreational Information Program

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Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) Meeting
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Hilton Virginia Beach - 3001 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach, VA
And Via the Internet at http://www.mafmc.org/

Fishery managers are designing and implementing improvements to recreational fishing data collection and estimation through the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) - http://www.countmyfish.noaa.gov/index.html.  Incorporating input and feedback from anglers is a critical component of MRIP.  With this in mind, the Council will host a Public Listening Session in which Gordon Colvin, the MRIP program manager, will provide an update and take questions and input from the audience and those online (see below for registration).  

The update will include information on how the new MRIP estimation methods have changed 2004-2011 catch estimates for MAFMC-managed species like summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass.  If you have questions, need answers, or just want to express your concerns regarding the MRIP program, you will be able to talk directly to Gordon and leaders from the Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service.  

You can attend in person in Virginia Beach or via the internet.  For online webinar access register at:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/695704801.   This is the same link for listening-in to the Council meeting - Agenda.

Contact Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5254 if you have any other questions or if you would like to confirm that your computer is set-up to access the webinar.  The webinar works for most computers, but sometimes remote voice communication from online participants has problems.  In such cases, participants may still use a chat feature in the webinar to type submit their comments or questions.  You can also email questions before the meeting begins to jdidden@mafmc.org.  

Volunteer Angler Data workshop

January 26, 2012
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Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Four-Points Sheraton, BWI Airport
7032 Elm Road, Baltimore, MD 21240
And via the Internet at: http://www.mafmc.org/events/volunteerdata.htm

Anglers have told us that one way to increase overall trust in recreational catch numbers is to take advantage of their enthusiasm through hands-on participation in data collection. As a result, several states have implemented volunteer angler data collection programs to collect recreational data and a one-day workshop on February 2 will explore ways that these and future programs can be most effective.

This workshop, co-sponsored by the Council and the Marine Recreational Information Program (www.countmyfish.noaa.gov), will bring together the people who manage these state programs and other volunteer data collection programs to examine questions such as: "Which data needs are best filled by volunteer angler data?" and "How can programs establish and sustain angler enthusiasm and support?" 

The meeting is open to the public and will be webcast. There will be opportunities for public participation from those attending in person as well as via webinar - webcast registration and additional information is available via the above link.

Contact Jason Didden at jdidden@mafmc.org or (302) 526-5254 if you have any questions or if you would like to confirm that your computer is set-up to access the webinar.