September 24, 2013 — After years of development, scientific scrutiny concerning the analytical methods used, and extensive discussions with stakeholders, the Council plans to hold coast-wide public hearings early in 2014 to get the public’s reaction to the proposals designed to minimize adverse effects of fishing on essential fish habitat.
I offer a few comments to Patriot Ledger readers on a piece published Sept. 18, “Charter boat operators say ban would put them out of business.”
The article described a meeting hosted by the Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association in Marshfield. I provided attendees with an overview of habitat protection measures that are being considered by the New England Fishery Management Council.
One measure under consideration would close a 55-square-nautical-mile “reference area” to all groundfish fishing, including recreational fishing for groundfish stocks, as described in the Sept. 18 story. This area partially overlaps the 638-square-nautical-mile Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary located east of Boston. If selected, the reference area would form part of a larger 342-square-nautical-mile Dedicated Habitat Research Area. The remainder of this larger research area is not being discussed as a recreational fishing closure area, nor is the entire Sanctuary proposed for a closure. It would retain current restrictions on commercial groundfishing.
Read the full story at The Patriot Ledger