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Congressman Frank upset over scallop restrictions; determined to re-examine law |
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Congressman Barney Frank has expressed disappointment over the New England council decision on scallop restrictions; and stated determination to re-examine Magnuson.
The Congressman expressed disappointment with the New England Fishery Management Council's recent decision to reduce scalloper's days at sea. “We should be looking at ways to improve access to abundant scallops in closed areas and not continually reduce what fishermen are allowed to catch. This reinforces my determination to not only work through this situation, but to reexamine the law as well," said Congressman Frank in a press release. Last week, the New England Fishery Management Council reduced days at sea for full-time scallop vessels fishing in open areas to 29 days, and decreased the number of allowed trips to special access areas from 5 to 4 for the 2010 fishing year. “The economic impact to fishermen and the regional economy is substantial,” said Congressman Frank. In August, two independent studies, one by NOAA and one by UMass, were in agreement concluding that numbers of young scallops were rising. Read the studies and coverage by the Boston Globe and Standard Times here. Last month, following up on an October 6th meeting, Congressman Frank wrote to NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco asking for a review of the issues discussed “so that substantive action can mitigate some of the economic stress this industry is currently experiencing.” A list of the issues raised in the meeting and a copy of the Congressman's letter is available here. |
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33 Fishing Community Members Say Permit Bank, Giacalone are pluses for Gloucester
This permit bank is a true local treasure for our fishing community and related businesses. Its existence has been one of the only positive things to come to this fishing community in decades.
