Management & Regulation

WASHINGTON, DC (February 12, 2009) – New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg has withdrawn from consideration to become Commerce Secretary.

In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Gregg said he has “found that on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census there are irresolvable conflicts for me.”

Gregg, a Republican, had been President Obama’s pick to become Commerce Secretary after his first choice, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, withdrew from consideration amid a federal investigation into possible pay-to-play deals in his state.

Read the CBS News story in full

 

 

PORTSMOUTH, NH (February 11, 2009) — The regional council that sets fishery policy sided with a federal judge yesterday, asserting that Congress did not expect or want the industry brought to its knees in an effort to nurture back to health the weakest stock in the polyglot groundfish system.

In the process, the New England Fishery Management Council put itself at odds with its governmental master, the National Marine Fisheries Service, over Congress’ intent as expressed in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the governing statute for fisheries reauthorized in 2007.

The action added yet another level of uncertainty and complexity to an industry and a fishery caught in conflict between the National Marine Fisheries Service, two states within its jurisdiction suing it, the federal judge hearing the case and the council that works for and advises NMFS on regulatory policies.

Read the Gloucester Daily Times story in full

For additional coverage from the Manchester Union-Leader see this story: New England Council Rejects Federal Regulators’ Position

 

NEW BEDFORD, MA (February 11, 2009) – Federal fisheries regulators have reverted to an old set of fishing rules to govern New England’s groundfishing industry while a court-ordered suspension of current rules is in effect for 60 days.

A cloud of uncertainty has plagued the industry in recent weeks following a Jan. 26 federal court ruling that suspended current fishing restrictions, known as Framework 42.

The ruling has left fishermen wondering what rules apply to them when they head out to sea.

Patricia Kurkul, regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service, told The Standard-Times on Tuesday that previous groundfishing rules, known as Amendment 13, are now in effect.

Read the Standard-Times story in full

Related story:  New England Council Rejects Federal Regulators’ Position

 

PORTSMOUTH, NH (February 10, 2009) — Regional fishery managers are at odds with their federal counterparts over a court-ordered report analyzing controversial groundfishing rules, known as Framework 42, which have been suspended for 60 days.

The New England Fishery Management Council, which met Tuesday in Portsmouth, N.H., voted 11 to 6 to reject a draft report prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service.

The two regulatory bodies are in disagreement over how Congress intended to interpret federal fishing law, particularly with regard to a special rule that would allow for overfishing of a depleted fish stock so that fishermen could harvest healthier stocks that swim in the same area.

Read the Standard-Times story in full

 

SAN DIEGO, CA (February 10, 2009) – With the oceans in crisis, where will our fish – an important source of protein for billions of people – come from?

Innovative new fisheries management tools called "catch share" have begun in recent years and promise to keep fish on the menu for future generations, according to experts at the recent Seafood Summit in San Diego.

"Adaptation is the key – adaptation and innovation," Kristjan Davidsson, former CEO of Iceland Seafood International, told over 450 conference attendees last week.

"It is not hard to see that sustainability is the way to go but that requires collaboration with all sectors," Davidsson said.

Read the Inter Press Service story in full

 

PORTSMOUTH, NH (February 10, 2009) – Members of the New England Fisheries Management Council voted against a position taken by federal regulators regarding ground fish regulations at a meeting in Portsmouth this morning.

New Hampshire’s representatives on the regional council were among those who voted against an interpretation by the National Marine Fisheries Service of the intent of a mixed stock exception in the Magnusson-Stevens Fishery and Conservation Act.

The debate at the regional meeting in Portsmouth stems from a recent court ruling by a federal court judge in Boston in which the judge asked the NMFS to take another look at the mixed stock exception.

Read the UnionLeader.com story in full

 

PORTSMOUTH, NH (February 9, 2009) — The New England Fishery Management Council today opens a three-day meeting in the home state of Sen. Gregg Judd, nominated to be the next cabinet secretary for fisheries, with this region’s fishery in a state of hyper uncertainty.

Over the past month, unsettling events seemed to pile up like waves in a squall. Between the regulators in the National Marine Fisheries Service and the regulated fishing interests, the normal chasm of mistrust has become an abyss.

Read the Gloucester Daily Times story in full

View the New England Fishery Management Council’s current and upcoming event

 

 

WASHINGTON, DC (February 08, 2009) – Once there was such an abundance of cod, haddock and flounder in the waters just off our shores that as the saying goes, "you could walk across Cape Cod Bay on the backs of cod." New England was built on fisheries. Those days, however, are long gone. Now, we see great reductions in the numbers of fish — and fishermen. We desperately need a new fisheries management system that will protect the livelihood of fishermen while groundfish stocks are being rebuilt.

This new system, which is under consideration in Portsmouth this week at the New England Fishery Management Council meeting, operates on three simple premises. First, it ensures that scientific catch limits don't allow overfishing and that fishing stops once the limits have been reached. Second, it incorporates monitoring so fishermen and regulators know exactly how much fish is being caught. Finally, it establishes community-based co-ops, called sectors, which receive a share of the catch limit. While respecting catch limits, the co-ops can develop guidelines that fit their own fishing methods, providing them with the flexibility to develop their business plans.

Read the Pew Environment Group commentary in full in Seacoastonline.com

 

BRISTOL, RI (January 21, 2009) – Bob Haines remembers not so long ago when his dragger spent 302 days or more a year at sea in pursuit of fish.

By last year, federal fishing restrictions dictated that the 87-foot Seel could only venture out 81 days.

“And now it looks like they are going to take away another 16 days,” said Mr. Haines, who co-owns the New Bedford-based Seel and the 93-foot dragger/scalloper Tropical with fellow Westport resident Toby Lees.

Read the EastBayRI story in full

 

SALEM, MA (January 18, 2009) – It is time for the fishing, scientific and political communities to join forces and stand up to the National Marine Fisheries Service, which has now reached the point where it could more accurately be called the Eliminate-the-Marine-Fisheries Service.

That will be the likely result if its power remains unchecked.

Every other industry, it seems, is in line for a federal bailout. But Massachusetts fishermen are in line for a wipeout.

Read the Salem News story in full