Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries and the Homer Chamber of Conference and Visitor Center hold an informational teleconference on the halibut Catch Sharing Plan from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the chamber office. Seating is limited to 20 participants, so those interested should e-mail Jim Lavrakas at jimlav@homeralaska.org.

The purpose of the teleconference is to provide an overview of the proposed Catch Sharing Plan and how it differs from the 2011 proposal.

Other people can participate by calling in to the teleconference from home, but a maximum of 25 lines will be allowed. 

Lavrakas, the appointed chamber of commerce executive director, suggested people gather in groups at home or offices to maximize use of the 25 limited lines. To join the teleconference, call 907-586-7979.

Questions can be submitted to NOAA in advance, and there will be limited question-and-answer time at the end of the teleconference. Questions can be emailed to Julie Speegle – NOAA Federal, julie.speegle@noaa.gov. Speegle will moderate the teleconference from Juneau. Other NOAA Fisheries staff as well as Jane DiCosimo fo the North Pacific Fishery Management Council will attend the teleconference.

Teleconference moderators encourage people to gather in groups to listen and participate, and that groups designate a moderator. Call in 5 to 10 minutes early. Turn off cell phones and other electronics. Place phones on mute when listening and unmute only when speaking; do not put phones on hold because some hold options have background music. The moderators ask people to stay on topic and be respectful towards all teleconference participants.

The schedule is:

• 6:50-7 p.m. Teleconference check in;

• 7 – 7:05 p.m. Open teleconference and overview of format and etiquette;

• 7:05-7:10 p.m. Introductions;

• 7:10-7:15 p.m. Opening remarks, subject matter experts

• 7:15-7:30 p.m. Overview of proposed halibut CSP andhow it differs from the proposed 2011 plan;

• 7:30-8:30 p.m. Questions/Answers 

• 8:30-8:40 p.m. Review information on how to submit comments;

• 8:40 p.m. End of teleconference.

Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homerenews.com.