Search Results for: John Bullard
John Bullard’s Right whale challenge angers lobstermen
Bullard may have left behind the daily responsibilities of running the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, but he took his bully pulpit with him. On Monday, he published an op-ed piece in the Boston Globe challenging the U.S. commercial lobster industry — predominately based in Maine and Massachusetts, where Gloucester and Rockport are the top ports — to take the lead in trying to head off the extinction of the North Atlantic right whales. While he also carved out a role for scientists, non-governmental organizations and fishery managers in the hunt for solutions, Bullard’s emphasis on the lobster industry did not sit well with local lobstermen, who believed their industry was being singled out. >click to read<19:02
John Bullard: Lobster industry must lead on right whales
A NUMBER OF EVENTS over the past two weeks have probably gotten the full attention of the US lobster industry and increased pressure for it to take the lead in fighting the potential extinction of the North Atlantic right whale. In response to the deaths of the endangered whale, including 12 in Canada last year, Canada has imposed new restrictions on ship speeds and snow crab fishing, as well as earmarked $1 million more annually to help free marine mammals from fishing gear. >click to read<12:03
John Bullard: SectorIX board’s failure to act stopped its fishing
For New Englanders, Atlantic cod is not just another fish. The Sacred Cod that hangs in the Massachusetts State House is a testament to the cod’s place in our culture and history. For centuries, we fished for cod, as we watched the stock decline, we tried various ways to protect the resource this is considered as much a birthright as a commodity. In 2009, the New England Fishery Management Council under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, agreed to try a system called “catch shares” which worked well on the West Coast. click here to read the op-ed 20:52 
While setting New England fishery rules, John Bullard was an exception
He’s been called a Neanderthal and the most reviled man in the region’s fishing community. At a public meeting broadcast on national TV, a fisherman once accused him to his face of lying for a living. As the regional fisheries administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, John Bullard has drawn ire from all sides — fishermen, environmentalists, and politicians alike. His decisions have been routinely controversial, and he has rarely minced words in defending them. click here to read the story 20:53
A Message from John Bullard, Regional Administrator – There Is No Silver Bullet for Groundfish
The great philosopher Yogi Berra said, “You can observe a lot by watching.” You can also learn a lot by listening. I try to do a lot of listening. I think it’s the most important part of my job, and of all of our jobs at the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office and the Northeast Fisheries Science Center. With all of the activity in the last couple of months, there has certainly been a LOT to listen to. For example, we held recreational roundtable meetings in New Jersey and New Hampshire and a commercial roundtable in New Bedford. We also attended the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meetings and an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meeting. click here to read the rest 16:14
A Message from John Bullard – Looking Forward to Looking Back: Electronic Monitoring in New England Groundfish
Electronic monitoring (EM) is being used for catch monitoring and reporting compliance in fisheries worldwide, but use in the Northeast has been somewhat limited. There are always challenges with ensuring the accuracy of self-reported fisheries catch data, but EM represents a new suite of tools to improve reporting accuracy and increase catch monitoring. If we want to provide scientists with the best information possible and manage our fisheries sustainably, then we need to consider all of the tools in the toolbox. click here to read the story 07:27 (The tool box is full of monkey wrenches and ball peen hammers)
Letter: Fishermen part of S-K grant process – NMFS Regional administrator John Bullard
I need to respond to Mr. Parisi’s June 28 letter (click here) expressing concern that academics receive the majority Saltonstall-Kennedy (SK) Grant Program funding, leaving a limited amount for local fishermen. First, I would like to point out that competition for limited 2016 Saltonstall-Kennedy funds was stiff. Requests for SK funds always far exceed the resources available, and 2016 was no different. In 2016, $11 million was available for SK grants, but requests for funding exceeded $75 million. Of the 50 projects selected nationally, 22 projects were from our Greater Atlantic Region, totaling $4.6 million. While it is true that few fishermen submit applications by themselves to this highly competitive program, this does not mean that they and other fishing industry representatives are not involved. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Frequently they are partners in grant applications. Read the rest here 20:21
Senator Ayotte Challenges NOAA regional administrator John Bullard over fishing regulation’s.
Fishermen aired grievances face to face with federal officials they say are ruining their industry, backed in person by U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., who arranged the meeting at Pease Tradeport Friday. Ayotte backed fishermen, telling Bullard that the regulations fly in the face of federal law. She said the Magnuson-Stevens Act which sets parameters for fishery management requires NOAA balance the fisheries’ health with the welfare of fishing communities. Read the rest here 14:09
Good Morning, John – An open letter to John Bullard, Dave Sullivan, Gloucester
To NOAA Regional Administrator John Bullard: As a fellow MIT alumnus, I am baffled at your stubborn adherence to a fish monitoring plan that the most cursory analysis shows is not only unsustainable, but will simply not provide the data you say you need to understand New England fish populations. Unfortunately, you have painted yourself into a corner by making enemies of the most valuable source of information on New England fish — the fishermen themselves: You have branded them as biased liars whose reports cannot be trusted — hence the need for “monitors.” Read the rest here 07:11
Setting the record, and John Bullard straight – Fishermen have first-hand knowledge of cod stock levels
Recently the Portsmouth Herald ran a well written, multiple source article on the status of 
. One of your interviews was with John Bullard, Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries. In his statement he said he would be glad to consider my point of view when I produced peer-reviewed scientific journal articles. Apparently Mr. Bullard does not know that I have been involved in peer-reviewed journal articles on several species, as well as trawl bycatch reduction devices, for a number of years. Read the rest here 06:53
Interview: John Bullard shut down cod fishing in the region for at least six months. It’s not making him any friends.
You served three terms as mayor of New Bedford, which made you one of the chief advocates for one of the biggest fishing ports in the country. Now, with the cod fishing ban that you ordered, you’re being called the guy who’s killing the fishing industry. When I left City Hall, I was actually hired by the fishing industry. I worked for New Bedford Seafood Co-op for six months,,, Read the rest here 12:34
Letter to NOAA RA John Bullard, From Fisherman Sam Novello – Open Area 1 Early for Whiting
TO REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR MR. JOHN BULLARD, AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE WHITING STARTS ( JULY 15 AND ENDS NOV. 15 ) ,DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING AND CHANGES IN OUR OCEAN , WHITING HAVE BEEN ARRIVING EARLIER , AND ARE GONE SOONER . THIS PAST YEAR, THE WHITING LEFT AREA BY AUG. 30 , 2014. Read the rest here 09:39NOAA Regional Administrator John Bullard concedes Gloucester, Scituate, and Portsmouth faces heavy hit
“We’re trying to follow the cod and that’s going to have a disproportionate impact on these ports,” he said, naming Gloucester, Scituate and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Bullard said he expects those closures also will preclude groundfishermen from fishing for other, more plentiful species such as gray sole, dabs, haddock and flounder in the closed areas. “It’s almost impossible to protect cod while allowing the fishing of other species,” he said. “That’s one of the real difficulties.” We’re not giving up on cod,” Bullard said. “We believe the cod stock can be rebuilt, but it needs to be protected.” Read the rest here 09:01
Open letter to John Bullard, Terry Stockwell: Fishermen are the real environmental stewards
This is an open letter to John Bullard, regional administrator for NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, and Terry Stockwell, chairman of the New England Fishery Management Council. After attending and speaking at the New England Fishery Management Council in Hyannis, I feel compelled to offer the following. The New England fishing industry has a proud and rich history of men and women who did all they could to better their families. Read the rest here 13:03
NOAA Regional Director John Bullard – NOAA sees ‘status quo’ on closed fish areas, ignoring climate affects on fisheries
NOAA Regional Director John Bullard, in a letter to the New England Fishery Management Council, indicated the federal agency will not stand with fishing advocates in their preference for opening up a greater portion of Stellwagen Bank as part of the new rules being drafted to determine where commercial fishermen will be allowed to fish beginning in the winter of 2015-16. Read more@GDT 00:24
John Bullard – GARFO Administrator of NOAA Fisheries – YOU”RE ON THE PRICE IS RIGHT!! COME ON DOWN!!!
Published on Feb 17, 2014 “There’s room for everyone, if we plan.” John Bullard, Northeast Regional GARFO Administrator of NOAA Fisheries NMFS VIDEO Ocean Frontiers website: http://ocean-frontiers.org/ 09:38
HEY JOHN BULLARD! Sam Novello has a message for you! – Whiting season needs to start earlier
The whiting resource is a healthy stock and overfishing is not occurring. Our economy and fishermen would benefit from an earlier opening — only 15 days earlier — of this fisheries. The reasons: Fishermen have no shrimp season this year. NOAA tells us there is no codfish to catch. What is going to happen to our shore fleet? I sent this note to NOAA and was told that it was not its decision, and to contact New England Fisheries Management Council. I did, and talked to Mr. Applegate, who is the head of Whiting Committee, and was told it would take until 2015 to address this matter. My thoughts are our fishing management really needs help. Our Northeast regional administrator, John Bullard, shared his views on Nov. 19 on challenges and opportunities in the fisheries. I believe John has the authority to open this area up; his challenge is to open this area — only 15 days earlier — and give fishermen an opportunity to fish it. more@gdt 11:12
Paul Cohan: This is in response to John Bullard in the Myopic View Column in the GDT
I don’t know where to start. This is one of those instances where “to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool is better than opening it up and removing all doubt”, something you should’ve considered before you submitted this deceptive drool. Your self serving revisionist history would be right up there with “intelligent design” if not for the fact that there is nothing intelligent designed into “Your View: Read more here – John Bullard, My View: Fisheries hold challenges, opportunities 20:41
John Bullard , NOAA NE Regional Administrator – My View: Fisheries hold challenges, opportunities
The recent release of Fisheries of the United States 2012, a NOAA annual report, contains a lot of good information on revenues and landings for the nation’s fisheries. The majority of fish stocks in the Northeast are not overfished. As a result, we have some of the most valuable fisheries in the country. more@GDT
NOAA Northeast Administrator John Bullard chief defends openings from two sides
“We recognize it’s probably not going to make anyone happy,” Bullard said. But, continued@gdt
John Bullard,NE Regional Administrator,National Marine Fisheries Service,Seeking Input on Draft Working Resource Document for Groundfish Industry
John Bullard, The Master of Folksy Feel Good Babble will be accepting your calls between 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, 6/24/2013
John Bullard, NE Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, Will be accepting calls from fishermen and other “stakeholders” to discuss the draft of “Working Document on Resources to Support the Northeast Groundfish 
Industry.” View the details here
From the Moderator – Let’s be fair John Bullard, You’re the Master of Folksy Feel Good Babble
John Bullard, NE Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, which is his official title, began his comments at the NEFMC meeting this Tuesday morning recalling his interactions with Richard Gaines, Staff Reporter, Gloucester Daily Times The recollections of Bullard of a relentless technician of journalistic excellence were interesting, and are telling of the new revisionist history era that we are entering. , continue here scroll down
Letter to the Editor: This is an open letter to NOAA regional administrator John Bullard. Dear John, I’m leaving you. You’ve lost me. Paul Cohan, Captain, F/V Sasquatch Gloucester
This is an open letter to NOAA regional administrator John Bullard.
Dear John, I’m leaving you. You’ve lost me. You’ve tripped yourself up in your misinformation too many times.
The honeymoon is over. It’s all over. My heart is broken. And I’m angry. Do you actually expect anyone to believe this gurry barge you just attempted to foist upon the public as truth? This is Gloucester. We still hear the shrill echos of your elitist “nobody is guaranteed a job for life” — unless you’re “the Shredder” and his enforcement gang. Then your callous “day of reckoning” comment! Bet you wish you could take that one back! continued
My View: Northeast Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration John Bullard
With the groundfish fishing season now underway, Northeast fishing communities are facing very tough times. The Department of Commerce and NOAA are standing with the New England Fishery Management Council, fishermen and local, state and Congressional leaders to help fishing communities transition so that groundfishing continues for generations to come. continued
John Bullard Attends Fishermen’s Rally to Show His Support for the Groundfish Industry
On Monday, April 29, the Northeast Seafood Coalition held a rally in Boston, MA to mobilize support for efforts to help the groundfish industry weather what they have called “The Perfect Storm of Circumstances.” Northeast Region Administrator John Bullard attended the rally to show NOAA Fisheries support for fishermen, fishing families and fishing communities. continued
Pew Environment Group Targets John Bullard in Online Petition Drive Against NEFMC Proposed Changes to Closed Areas
March 18, 2013 — Calling current efforts being undertaken by the New England Fishery Management Council “a short-sighted plan” that ” threatens New England’s coastal ecosystem,” the Pew Environment Group’s Peter Baker has issued an email call to action asking recipients to “tell NOAA officials that New England’s iconic fish need protection now more than ever.” continue
NOAA Regional Administrator John Bullard explains stock stands
NOAA Regional Administrator John Bullard said Thursday fishermen’s testimony he’s heard that the inshore waters are teeming with yellowtail has made him concerned about proposed draconian catch limits for the species of flounder. Yellowtail, cod, haddock, hake, and other flounders are found in close proximity, making up the Northeast multi-species groundfishery, and low allocations of prevalent stocks create the nightmare for fishermen who must stop work once they’ve come to their limit on any single stock. Read more
John Bullard – No guarantees that fish stocks will come back
The big question is: Why has this happened? Over the years, quotas have been gradually reduced, but still the fish aren’t coming back as expected. It isn’t simply a case of overfishing. There are environmental forces at play such as
predation from recovered populations of dogfish and seals, changes in ocean water temperature and increases in ocean acidity. So, while it may not be totally on the fishermen’s shoulders, it will be the fishermen who will have to pay the price. Read more
Gloucester Fishermen Albert Cottone, Joe Orlando – NOAA Northeast Regional Administrator John Bullard owes fishermen apology
We’re writing to you today in response to the story headlined “Fishermen look to White House” (the Times, Page 1, Thursday, Feb. 22). 
This is an extremely challenging time for the commercial groundfish industry, in particular the groundfish-dependent port of Gloucester. All segments of the fleet are faced with radical reductions in catch limits on critical stocks set to begin on May 1. These cuts will undoubtedly bring our industry to its knees. In turn, this hurt will trickle down and affect fishing communities, shore-side businesses that depend on our landings, and American seafood consumers. Read more
