University science, which has already proven itself with scallops, gave a public demonstration yesterday of its facility at one-upping government science on behalf of the New England groundfish industry.
In a brief presentation to about 40 fishing industry representatives — in the No. 1 value-landed port in the nation — the chairman of the Department of Fisheries Oceanography at the University of Massachusetts’ School of Marine Science and Technology pointed out loose ends and problems with a government study that formed the basis of a new set of restrictions on fishing to protect winter flounder, one of 15 species in the New England groundfish roster.
Enough problems exist, Associate Professor Kevin Stokesbury advised his audience, to warrant following through on a challenge issued by Gov. Deval Patrick two weeks ago to scientifically battle the science of the National Marine Fisheries Service.