Tag Archives: new-england-fishery-management-council
NOAA regional chief, EDF back catch quota caps
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/topstories/x1618664521/NOAA-regional-chief-EDF-back-catch-quota-caps
Once again, the cart before the horse.
This should have been addressed before amendment 16 was rammed through. The EDF goal of Herr Lubchenco.
Yes, consolidation was occuring pre a-16, but then it really was free market driven consolidation.
Of course, the NSC syndicate likes it the way it is now, and why would’t they?
As far as “crossing the border” skirting the referendum vote, that has already taken place, the reason for the lawsuit.
For the syndicate to be concerned, is like Walmart saying they care about their employees, and they are looking out for their best interests! Why the parallel?
There are a whole bunch of fishermen not represented by the syndicate, that work within the syndicate. Crewmen that rely on the owners to do the right thing for them, as they share the expenses in the free enterprise lay/share arraingement of compensation, along with the owners. Crewmen now pay for leased quota with no representation, along with the regular expenses. They have become poorer and marginalized.
Only now is there a half assed effort to understand the system of compensation through a “socio economic survey” that should have been considered pre a-16.
I’m sure Johanna Thompson is a nice lady, but to read about EDFs concerns about fishermen? I find them amusing, and diingenuous following the history of EDFs actions, and knowing they recieve multi millions year in, year out from the Walton Foundation to privatize the resource.
Funny thing about the “socio” survey. All the current data collected already includes people like Johanna, regulators, and “stakeholders” involved in fishery issues.
Everyone except the fishermen!
ABOLISH CATCH SHARES NOW!
Signs of hope in fisheries management October 07, 2012 2:00 AM
When long-time Portsmouth Herald editor Ray Brighton wrote his definitive two-volume history in honor of Portsmouth’s 350th anniversary, he called it “They Came to Fish.” Fishing brought settlers to our shores and was a sustaining industry for centuries. When locals want to celebrate and when tourists come to the Seacoast they want to eat seafood: lobsters, steamers, quahog chowder, cod and haddock. It is the quintessential New England fare. Today our fishing fleet and associated industries are mere shadows of their former selves. Every year a few more fishermen give up the fight. The Yankee Fisherman’s Cooperative in Seabrook offers the last shore support for our decimated fleet. Distrust runs high among regulators, scientists and the fishermen who feed their families by their dangerous and backbreaking work at sea. http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20121007-OPINION-210070312
A Question that Demands a Better Response Than What Was Recieved. – The Free Press
This second writing for the Free Press finds me at a place that forces me to revisit my article for the First Edition.
things-are-lookin-pretty-good-for-the-predators-whats-a-poor-cod-fish-to-do-the-free-press
The New England Fishery Management Council began its three day meeting in Plymouth Ma on 9/25/2012.
As is typical of bureaucratic meetings, this one was spiked with some, at times, semi excitement, and threats.
The New England Fishery Management Council approved a motion to allow groundfishermen access to large areas off-limits to fishing.
Yellowtail flounder giveaway will not harm scallopers this year
The scallop fleet heaved a collective sigh of relief Friday when NOAA Fisheries announced the industry would not suffer for a good deed. Every year, groundfishermen and scallopers share the allowable catch of yellowtail flounder on Georges Bank. In June, to help groundfishermen struggling with low catch limits, the scallopers gave the dragger fleet 150 metric tons of yellowtail quota, half of their 2102 allocation. That equals more than 800,000 pounds of fish. Alarm bells began to ring when figures emerged showing the scallop fleet had taken about 136 metric tons of its remaining 150-ton allotment as of Wednesday — more than 90 percent — with five months remaining in the current fishing year. However, a NOAA Fisheries release Thursday eased fishermen’s concerns. The scallop fishery is exempted “from accountability measures for any Georges Bank yellowtail flounder catch below their initially allocated 2012 catch limit of 307.5 metric tons,” the press release said. Scallop boat captain Tom Quintin on the Patience said the news came as a relief to him. “I was just telling my boss we shouldn’t have given the yellowtail away when I heard we’d caught almost all of the quota,” he said. Boat owner Dan Eilertsen said the news was reassuring. “I have 13 trips left that I could have lost if they had shut us down. So I am glad to hear that,” he said. But Eilertsen, who owns the Liberty, Justice and Freedom, said scallopers would not have agreed to the transfer initially without assurances that it would not hurt them. “That’s what eased the deal,” he said. http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120929/NEWS05/209290325/-1/SPECIAL77
The HSUS Criticizes Federal Agency’s Decision to Delay Protecting Porpoises in Atlantic Waters
The National Marine Fisheries Service is legally responsible under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to protect harbor porpoises,” said Sharon Young, marine issues field director for The HSUS. “The agency’s step back from its own regulations and retreat from a compromise plan between the commercial fishing industry and environmental groups may lead to a larger number of porpoise deaths this fall.”
You must’ve missed this, Sharon. Have you heard about the slaughter that lies ahead for all those marine mammals we’ve been saving? Hmmm?http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2012/09/harbor_porpoises_delayed_protection_092612.html
NEFMC Meeting – Plymouth, Ma Sept. 25 – 27, 2012 Audio Tapes
AUDIO: NEFMC’s Sept. 26 Meeting Reviews Assessments for Yellowtail, Scallops and Herring
Listen to the public’s comments regarding the SSC’s report on ABC recommendations for herring stocks for fishing years 2013 through 2015. Peter Mullen asks a very important question, and the answer should raise eyebrows. He kicks it off, and the ENGOs throw in their two cents. They keep saying, “they think”. Do they?
Listen to the public’s comments on the overview of SAW/SARC 54. This public comment period includes input from the Mayor of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Jon Mitchell.This is a great tape, and the common sense of Owen Rochford, Norpel can be found at 25:30 if you slide the button with your cursor.
Plenty of audio, plenty of examples of a broken management system, exacerbated by piss poor science, and special interest groups. Plenty of fun for the whole family.
Long-closed fishing areas may be reopened
PLYMOUTH — New England fishery managers have agreed to consider allowing fishermen back into areas that have been closed to them for decades. Such a move would give fishermen more access to healthy fish stocks and boost their businesses next year, when they face cuts in their catch so severe that it threatens the industry. The unanimous vote Thursday at a meeting of the New England Fishery Management Council came amid concerns about the environmental effects of reopening the three closed areas, located in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. The year-round closures are intended to protect species of bottom-dwelling groundfish, such as cod, haddock and flounder. Some environmental groups vowed to vigorously oppose any re-openings. The council will consider giving final approval to measures to reopen the closed areas during its November meeting.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061163717&srvc=news&position=recent
The environ kooks are pissed! Peter Shelly threatened a lawsuit! The rest of them chimed right in! National Standard 8, fellas.
EDF actually approves! Is this the beginning of an eco nut civil war? Getting my can of combustible fuel and bellows ready!
Everybody’s Happy About the Harbor Porpoise Decision! Well, Except the Enviros. Here’s a bunch of link’s!
Senator Kerry Welcomes Changes to Gillnet Fishery Closure
New Bedford fishermen hail feds’ change of heart on porpoise closure
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120926/NEWS/120929902
Northeast Seafood Coalition thanks NOAA for “win-win” decision on Harbor Porpoise Closure
Today John Bullard, New Leader of NOAA’s Northeast Region, earned respect
I was almost sure, JB was gonna do what fishermen in New England are used to. I just knew he would follow suit. He did not. He gave the netters a reprieve from extinction. Many would not have survived had it not been for Bullard’s common sense move. He is not in lock step with his superiors.
A renegade?
I hope!
Been listening to the council meeting for the past two days. I’ve heard John Bullard say a few times he should’ve thought things through when he took the job. I believe he could be right. I’ve heard plenty in the last couple of days to convince me that we don’t have a fishery failure. We have a fishery management failure compounded with fishery science that is not the best available, but the only science available.
Peter Mullen, a mid-water herring boat owner asked about something I’ve brought up a number of times after reading an article written by Gloucester’s Carmine Gorga, PhD. He brought up the predator/prey issues that apparently, from the answer Mr Mullen received, have not been considered by the scientist trying to figure out fishery issues like cod and yellow tail. The Pew whores and their pixies are convinced herring is forage for cod, but would never consider codling would be forage feed for the superabundant herring.
The relationship is this. The larvae of the bottom fish need to go to the surface of the ocean in order to obtain food – plankton – and light. While they go up, they become a feast for the pelagic. When those larvae that survive become codling, they want to go back to their friends and relatives. While they descend to their native habitat, they become a second feast for the pelagic. a Fish and Future
Between an exploding number of predators, skate, dogfish, seals, and yes, herring, is it any wonder that fish stocks are in trouble, if they are indeed in trouble, while the regulators, pushed by the NOAA socio economic counted interlopers have allowed the ecosystem to become over run in the name of,,,,,,conservation.
If John Bullard has administrators remorse, who could blame him?
You hang in there John. You’re gaining respect. Something very unique when it comes to NOAA. BH
a, http://carmine3.newsvine.com/_news/2010/11/04/5408211-fish-and-future
New Bedford Mayor asks Council to Consider Economic Ramifications of Groundfish Cuts; Lauds SSC for Including 1,150mt Upper Range in Yellowtail ACL
New Bedford Mayor John Mitchell urged the NEFMC to “forestall or mitigate” upcoming cuts in the Annual Catch Limits (ACL) for the Northeast Multispecies Groundfish Fishery.
http://www.savingseafood.org/images//mitchell%20letter%20to%20nefmc%20sept.%2026%202012.pdf
ISSUE BRIEF on HADDOCK: Mitigation Options and Underfishing our U.S. Quota – savingseafood.org
United States Georges Bank haddock, especially when compared to Canadian haddock from the same stock, is underfished. By “underfished,” we refer to the fact that US fishermen routinely fish significantly less than the scientifically determined total allowable catch.
Several regulatory barriers are preventing the successful exploitation of haddock, ultimately resulting in fishermen leaving hundred of millions of dollars in the ocean and the continuation of pressure on unhealthy stocks. There are a variety of precipitant factors influencing underfishing in the US:
Fishermen make last-ditch plea to feds over harbor porpoises closure date
AUDIO: NEFMC Groundfish Committee’s Sept. 19 Meeting looks at closed areas
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – September 19, 2012 – The New England Fishery Management Council’s Groundfish Committee met on Wednesday to further develop Framework Adjustment 48 to the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan. The audio from that meeting is posted below in several segments. http://www.savingseafood.org/council-actions/audio-nefmc-groundfish-committee-s-sept.-19-meeting-develops-management-actions-for-fishery-s-f-2.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SavingSeafoodRss+%28Saving+Seafood%29
Lots of audio!
Public Listening Session at the New England Fishery Management Council Meeting: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 – 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor, Plymouth, MA
September 24, 2012 — The Council will hold an informal question and answer period at its September 25-27 meeting in Plymouth, MA. Tuesday’s hour-long session, is an opportunity to meet the new NMFS Regional Administrator, John Bullard, listen to what he has been hearing during his visits to coastal communities in the Northeast and ask questions. In addition to stakeholders and interested parties to the public is invited to participate in this session.
This time on the Council agenda is not intended to be used for nor will it replace the public’s opportunity to make comments during consideration of any action item that is scheduled for a Council vote at the September meeting.
Register now at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/423548903. Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with the information you will need to join the webinar.
NOAA lawyer’s claims don’t match record
BOSTON — The attorney for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration argued to the US. First Circuit Court of Appeals that there was no need to put the catch share management program under the authority of a federal judge to limit rampant consolidation of the fleet because the regional arm of the agency was already doing that.
“The problem is being taken seriously; it is being addressed,” Joan Pepin, a U.S. Justice Department attorney, told the three-judge panel Wednesday. “The process has been under way since the end of last year. It’s called Amendment 18.”
The comment was made in discussion with Chief Justice Sandra L. Lynch, near the end of the hour long oral argument over the suit by New Bedford, Gloucester and widespread fishing interests against NOAA for introducing a radical re-engineering of the groundfishery without considering the socio-economic implications or giving fishermen the chance to vote on whether to create this new world which made fishing more efficient but also powered consolidation.
Moments later, then in discussion with the plaintiffs’ lead attorney James F. Cavanaugh Jr., Judge Lynch adopted Pepin’s description of Amendment 18.
“You asked for an order that in effect (NOAA) would have to do a study and consider consolidation and consider whether they have to modify this program,” the judge said, distilling and rephrasing the redress sought by the plaintiffs. “As I understand it, they’re doing that, so what’s the difference?”
Cavanaugh said he was not aware from the record that NOAA was addressing consolidation.
“No?” said the judge. “Amendment 18.”
“Amendment 18?” a non-plussed Cavanaugh said.
The fact that Amendment 18, as Pepin and Judge Lynch described it, didn’t ring a bell with Cavanaugh should not have been surprising. Pepin’s characterization of a directed effort, known as Amendment 18, that was addressing a clearly defined problem — consolidation of the groundfishery — was inaccurate, a check of records shows. Amendment 18 — the genesis of which traces to 2010 but has not yet made it on the agenda of the New England Fishery Management Council for official consideration as a possible action — is an idea whose time has yet to come…………..Read more
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/topstories/x1709874696/NOAA-lawyers-claims-dont-match-record
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From savingseafood.org
New Bedford / Gloucester Fishing Litigation Documents
http://newbedford-ma.gov/fishinglitigation.html
September 6, 2012 — The Office of New Bedford Mayor Jon MItchell has created a reference website with all documents pertaining to the appeal of CITY OF NEW BEDFORD, et al., vs HON. GARY LOCKE, et al.http://newbedford-ma.gov/fishinglitigation.htmlAUDIO: New Bedford, Gloucester and Industry Appeal Against NOAA Heard in Federal Court
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