May 30, 2013 — Accusing the federal government of shoddy science and indifference to the plight of Massachusetts fishing families, Attorney General Martha Coakley sued the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday over its attempt to limit this year’s catch on cod and other fish.
Her office called restrictions that slashed limits by 78 percent of 2012’s quota Draconian. The suit was filed in US District Court.
“The federal government has failed in its responsibility in considering the devastating economic impact of their regulations on our fishing families,’’ said Coakley, flanked by lawmakers and fishermen at Boston’s Fish Pier. “NOAA’s regulations are essentially a death penalty on the fishing industry of Massachusetts as we know it.”
NOAA officials acknowledged Thursday that the quota reductions are drastic but said they are essential to rebuilding severely depleted groundfish stocks and preventing overfishing among populations that have been alarmingly slow to recover.
The federal government targeted 13 species, and substantial reductions were also made for Gulf of Maine haddock, Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, and American plaice. The officials said the agency is increasing catch limits on stocks such as redfish, pollock, and white hake.
“We know that the quota cuts this year for groundfish fishermen for several key stocks, including cod, are severe,’’ said John Bullard, northeast region administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “However, given the poor condition of these stocks and the phased approach we took to reducing fishing effort to help ease the economic impacts on fishermen in 2012, the cuts are necessary.”
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