Tag Archives: habitat closures
NEFMC Approve Some Habitat Changes – blocks no-fishing zone for scientific research on Stellwagen Bank
Federal fishery regulators say they will keep much-debated protections for Cashes Ledge in the 
in place as part of a broad effort to alter the scope of New England’s fishing grounds. Peter Baker, director of northeast U.S. Oceans for Pew Charitable Trusts, said that with the recent approvals, the council remains “on a course to eliminate thousands of square miles of important fish habitat areas” in favor of commercial fishing concerns. He said the council has ignored conservationists’ (shrugs shoulders),,, Read the rest here 20:48
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell makes fishing industry’s case in habitat closures
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell spoke this morning to the New England Regional Fishery Council, pleading the case for a compromise solution to protective essential habitat closures on Georges Bank. In particular, he argued in favor of opening up part of an area known as the Northern Edge, parts of which have been closed 20 years and now are “the mother lode of scallops.” Mitchell brought with him a petition signed by 380 people involved in the fishing industry, mostly shore-side, who see the Northern Edge and other proposals as a needed boost for the fishing industry’s future. Read the rest here 14:55
