BOSTON, MA (December 9, 2008) — Attorneys representing Massachusetts and New Hampshire argued Monday in federal district court that fishing regulations, which have devastated the inshore groundfishing industry in both states since going into effect two years ago, should be abandoned and sent back to regulators.
Senior Judge Edward F. Harrington heard arguments from the states, which are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, and the defendants, which include the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Marine Fisheries Service. No ruling was made during the hearing.
The rules in question were adopted in November 2006 in an attempt to speed rebuilding efforts on six depleted groundfish stocks, including Gulf of Maine cod and Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder. The rules aimed to reduce fishing of depleted stocks by charging fishermen who trawl the inshore areas of the Gulf of Maine two of their allotted fishing days for every day fished, effectively cutting their fishing season in half.
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