September 17, 2015 — NOAA is exploring permanent protections for three deep sea canyons — Oceanographer, Gilbert, and Lydonia Canyons — and four seamounts 130 to 200 miles off New England’s coast.
Deep sea canyons, which plunge to depths greater than 7,000 feet, and seamounts, which rise thousands of feet above the sea floor, create unique habitats supporting tremendous biodiversity and fragile ecosystems that are home to corals, fish, marine mammals, turtles, and more. These habitats are well worth preserving.
I thought the public meeting and proposed process was good, although many fishermen and fish policy makers felt it circumvented the New England Fishery Management Council’s authority. They believe the council is charged with regulating fishing via the Magnuson Stevens Act in this area.
I understand that it is not all about fishing, but I believe recreational and commercial fishermen should continue to be granted access to fishing grounds in and near the proposed monument areas, as long as they are not affecting the area in a negative way. For example, when recreational fishermen target tuna they are pretty much on the surface, not down to the sea floor where protections are needed.
I do believe drilling, mining, laying cable and certain types of fishing should be restricted.
If fishing can continue to be conducted respectfully in the proposed monument areas, and this is written into the law while restricting disruptive and harmful uses, I am all for designating national monument areas.
Read the full opinion piece at the Providence Journal