May 14, 2013 — The following is an excerpt from the State House News Services' story, "CLF: New Rules Could Allow 'Full Collapse' of Cod Stocks", originally published May 1.
While many Massachusetts elected officials have lobbied for less severe reductions in fish catch limits than the cuts set to take effect on Wednesday, one local group says that even with the new limits there could be a “full collapse” of cod populations.
Read the full article at Wicked Local
Analysis: On May 1st, significant changes to the Northeast Fishery Management Plan went into effect. Severe cuts of up to 77 percent of last year’s cod allocations have left many fishing families concerned about their economic future. To provide some relief, NOAA recently approved Framework Adjustment 48, which grants sectors the ability to apply for access into certain areas currently closed to fishing.
As NOAA begins to enact these changes, the Conservation Law Foundation continues to voice discontent. The Foundation was recently quoted in a State House News Story carried by several New England news outlets, saying that managers are “leaving the door open” to fishing and “[continuing] to take short-sighted actions.”
But Framework 48 is a far cry from CLF’s portrayal of an “open door” to resource depletion. The rule only allows sectors to apply for access into certain areas of the closures that were not designated to protect habitat. Once fishermen apply, NOAA will review each application and conduct an environmental impact assessment to determine access on a case-by-case basis. NOAA also retains the right to revoke access should unforeseen impacts occur.
In the article, CLF incorrectly estimates that 5,000 square miles, including the Cashes Ledge closure, will be modified. But John Bullard, NOAA Fisheries northeast regional administrator, said in April that, “sensitive areas such as the western Gulf of Maine closure and Cashes Ledge probably won’t be viable.” NOAA has been clear that fishing will not be permitted in essential habitat areas, seasonal closures and spawning closures. The areas under consideration are locations that many gear types, such as dredge gear, longlines, gill nets and mid-level trawls can already access.
CLF speculates that Framework 48 puts Atlantic cod stocks at risk for a “full collapse,” but these claims are unfounded. The Foundation ignores the important reality that both NOAA and the New England Fisheries Management Council, the managing body that drafted Framework 48, are legally mandated to minimize adverse environmental impacts from fishing. Behind the recent Adjustment is meaningful scientific research, which assures that these changes can help fishing communities without risking valuable resources.
For more information
Saving Seafood has analyzed similar claims in recent days. For more information on this topic see:
Analysis of the Conservation Law Foundation's blog post "Wrong Move For Right Whales"