NEW BEDFORD, MA (February 24, 2009) – Restrictive groundfishing rules opposed by the fisheries divisions of Massachusetts and New Hampshire will be suspended for an additional 14 days, according to the latest ruling in a federal lawsuit brought by the states against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service.
Senior Judge Edward F. Harrington issued an order Monday that prolongs his suspension of a double-counting regulatory system that charges fishermen two days at sea for each day they fish in certain parts of the ocean. The rules were intended to stop overfishing and rebuild depleted flounder stocks.
Read the Standard-Times story in full
View the official court ruling [PDF]
Additional coverage from the Gloucester Times
UPDATE – FEBRUARY 25: Feds voice concerns about suspension of fishing rule – The Standard-Times