August 28, 2013 — ANNAPOLIS — On Wednesday, the Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee voted by an 8-5 margin to extend Maryland’s emergency regulations on menhaden until the permanent regulations are effective as of Monday, Sept. 2.
But, menhaden pound netters have chosen to boycott the fishery anyway from Friday, Aug. 30, to Monday, Sept. 2, an organized protest against the menhaden regulations the likes of which Maryland hasn’t seen before from watermen.
“We’re facing a devastating impact on the Eastern Shore economy because of these regulations,” Del. Michael Smigiel, R-36-Cecil, said.
The emergency regulations DNR introduced — after being told by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in December 2012 that there needed to be a coast-wide harvest reduction of 20 percent — established a 5.12 million-pound menhaden quota for Maryland with a bycatch allowance after the quota is met.
The bycatch allowance was set at 6,000 pounds per bycatch landing licensee and 12,000 per vessel with two licensees on it.
While state Department of Natural Resources Secretary Joe Gill and Deputy Director for Fisheries Service Lynn Fegley argued that DNR used the appropriate steps necessary to promulgate the regulations, including public hearing, best available science and an economic impact study, Eastern Shore lawmakers questioned parts of the process.
Read the full story at the Easton Star Democrat