The problems our fisherman are facing
The first issue of concern is NOAA fishery survey’s and the agency’s science that needs to be compared to independent fishing surveys and science. Presently, NOAA by law does not have to compare independent results before being added to the Magnuson – Stevens Act.
The next issue is, we are losing our rich fishing grounds off of Cod Cape, and in Maine. They are doing this with so-called science under the BIden Administration, which includes many from the Obama Administration that decimated our fishing industry through privatization, causing elimination of many fishing industry jobs. This is also a science issue, based on agenda driven science. We need to oppose ocean industrialization and compose a letter addressed to our local, state, and federal officials and our elected politicians, declaring our opposition.
The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which was pushed through during the Obama Administration, was reopened to fishing during the Trump Administration, and again closed to fishing under the current Biden Administration must be once again reopened, and remain opened, permanently.
Another issue is S-K funding which is not going to our fishermen. NOAA has total control of who receives these monies.
Looking at these problematic issues, it is easy to recognize that the loss of commercial fishermen, and fishing industry jobs and businesses will continue to evaporate and disappear, unless we take an offensive and unified stance.
I suggest we consider implementing a U/S. Fish Bill. This should be a national endeavor with input from every region and fishery in the country. We, the fishing community, must consider this with input from every sector. The last people we need to write this bill are party-driven politicians.
My goal is to maintain and preserve the US fishing industry, and it starts here!
Thank you, Sam Parisi, Gloucester, Mass
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