Even as controversy continues around the May 1 implementation of Amendment 16, the more stringent fishing regulations have spawned a number of jobs locally to fill staffing needs required by the new mandate.
National Marine Fisheries Service monitors will accompany boats on groundfishing trips to record how much fish they are catching and what is being discarded overboard.
All prospective monitors take a training course at a National Marine Fisheries facility in East Falmouth run by fishery biologist and Mattapoisett resident Amy Van Atten.
"We have had 11 classes complete the course for at-sea monitors since mid-April," Van Atten said. "They receive 15 college credits on completion."
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