WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the Commerce subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, welcomed the final 2011 groundfish fishing rules, which would increase catch limits and access for small-vessel fishermen under the sector-based management system. Senator Snowe said the finalized rules announced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – Framework 45 and the Sector Operation Plan – would remove various arbitrary restrictions on allowable catch limits in New England fisheries.
"NOAA's final rule for the 2011 season is encouraging news for our fishermen and coastal communities, who have overcome significant challenges from unnecessarily restrictive catch limits in the past," said Senator Snowe. "Higher catch limits are appropriate in light of encouraging catch-data from the first year of the sector-based management system, and I will continue working with the administration and our fishermen to ensure this trend continues. It is critical our fisheries management system is based upon the most recent and accurate data possible to ensure the competitiveness of our fishermen and the health of our fish stocks."
BACKGROUND: Higher catch limits will apply to Georges Bank cod, Gulf of Maine cod, Georges Bank yellowtail flounder, Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic yellowtail flounder, Cape Cod/Gulf of Maine yellowtail flounder, American plaice, witch flounder, Georges Bank winter flounder, Southern New England winter flounder, redfish, white hake, and halibut. Increased catch limits for George's Bank yellowtail flounder come in the aftermath of legislation sponsored by Senator Snowe that reopened negotiations with Canada.