Suffolk County Long Island County Executive Steve Levy has written to NMFS Northeast Regional Administrator Patricia Kurkul expressing concern that "implementing a catch shares management program will likely result in further shrinkage of the Suffolk's fishing industry."
For more than five years, stock assessments for monkfish have shown to be on the positive side of the species rebuilding schedule.
To date, Suffolk's monkfish fishery has been subject to, and has followed, the Days at Sea (DAS) management system with much success in terms of catch and fishery sustainability. For more than five years, stock assessments for monkfish have shown to be on the positive side of the species rebuilding schedule.
As a result, the monkfish industry has great concern over the proposed implementation of a catch shares program as a fishery management tool for monkfish. There is the fear this will result in a rapid consolidation of the commercial fishing fleet, resulting in fewer fishermen and a loss of the economic multipliers associated with the maintenance of a healthy fishing fleet.
Every regulation that has been implemented at the state and federal levels of government on the fishing industry is another burden that a weakening industry has to carry. Suffolk's commercial fishing industries are fighting for survival and cannot afford to have any facet adapt to a new management plan, especially when the current plan is working.
Implementing a catch shares management program will likely result in further shrinkage of the Suffolk's fishing industry. This industry already follows the current regulations related to catch limits and bears the cost of updating equipment, all while battling ever increasing fuel prices and diminishing returns.
The fishing industry in Suffolk is not only a mainstay of the local economy, it is an important part of its heritage. I strongly urge that the DAS management program be maintained for the monkfish fishery in Southern New England waters.
Read the letter from Steve Levy to Patricia Kirkul.