GLOUCESTER, MA (February 21, 2009) – From both houses of Congress and both political parties, condemnation continues to rain down on the scheme the embattled National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed to regulate the New England fishery for the year beginning May 1.
Facing widespread opposition is a planned "interim rule" that would bar all but hook fishing along the southern coast and charge permits twice for each day fished along the eastern coast of New England.
An alliance of U.S. senators voted not to allow NMFS to regulate the fishery "out of existence." A lonely voice in support of NMFS was that of the nonprofit Washington, D.C.-based Ocean Conservancy.