BOSTON, MA (February 10, 2009) — A federal judge has refused to reconsider his order suspending key New England fishing rules, leaving fishermen wondering which rules are in place.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Edward Harrington suspended the rules, called Framework 42, saying a key portion hadn’t been adequately analyzed.
Last week, NOAA Fisheries Service asked Harrington to reconsider his order. NOAA argued the decision had caused widespread confusion, lifted protections on vulnerable fish stocks and suspended a program that helped fishermen by allowing them to lease unused fishing days from other fishermen.
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