June 19, 2014 — Some areas that have long been closed to fishing could be reopened, while other fishing grounds could be closed. In some places, specific fishing gear, such as trawl nets that are dragged on the ocean floor, would be banned.
Fishery regulators are remapping the federal waters off New England’s coast to protect sensitive habitat.
Some areas that have long been closed to fishing could be reopened, while other fishing grounds could be closed. In some places, specific fishing gear, such as trawl nets that are dragged on the ocean floor, would be banned.
Federal law requires the designation of protected habitat, and those areas must be updated to reflect the most current research, said Michelle Bachman, an analyst with the New England Fishery Management Council.
That panel will have to weigh the interests of competing groups and values, she said.
Not only do conservationists and fishermen disagree, Bachman said, but some groups of fishermen stand to benefit while other groups could suffer, depending on the gear they use and the fish they catch.
“It’s a matter of perspective on where you are coming from,” she said. “It’s going to be a matter of finding out who the winners and losers should be.”
Researchers have been working on the controversial project for a decade, and a draft proposal is expected to be published in September. After a public comment period, the New England Fishery Management Council will make a recommendation to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
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