PORTSMOUTH, NH (February 10, 2009) — The region’s two-week-long descent into legal confusion and fishing frustration was extended indefinitely yesterday when a federal judge rejected the National Marine Fisheries Service’s plea that he step aside and cease interfering with its efforts at restoring the health of the fishery.
NMFS’ motion for a stay of U.S. District Judge Edward Harrington’s Jan. 26 order suspending the regulatory framework that has been in force for the past 16 months was denied by Harrington in Boston without comment.
Word of the ruling was announced by NMFS regional general counsel Gene Martin to the region’s fishing interests, who’ve gathered here for a three-day meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council, a broad-based body that advises NMFS and also makes policy.
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