AUDIO: Debate Breaks Out Over Closed Area Access at NEFMC’s Sept. 27 Habitat Meeting
PLYMOUTH, Mass. – September 27, 2012 – The New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) met on Thursday to review recommendations from their Groundfish and Habitat Committees regarding a number of fishery related issues, including, but not limited to, closed area access. The subject of closed areas set the stage for a number of comments made by members of the Council, as well as the general public, which raised important issues related to the effectiveness of these areas and the time-sensitive nature of their reassessment.
 

The Council’s afternoon review of the Habitat Committee’s report dealt almost exclusively with Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) closures and aimed to draft adverse effects minimization alternatives as a part of Omnibus EFH Amendment 2. That same morning, the Groundfish Committee approached the council with recommendations that asked for an increase in access to the groundfish closed areas as a way of mitigating the low allowable biological catch (ABC) limits that are expected for fishing year 2013. Several access area-related comments made during those discussions can be found below.

Listen to John Bullard, the Regional Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northeast Regional Office, comment on the need for a timely reassessment of closed areas access. This comment was made during the Council’s review of the NEFMC’s Habitat Committee report.

Listen to Habitat Committee Chair, Dave Preble, comment on the Council’s lack of punctuality in drafting Omnibus EFH Amendment 2 and how this relates to Council resources.

Listen to Emilie Litsinger, of the Environmental Defense Fund, address the reevaluation of New England’s closed area network, with regard to the groundfish fishery.

Listen to Maggie Raymond, of Associated Fisheries of Maine, note that while she was a supporter of the closed areas 18 years ago, she now believes that things needs to be done differently if they are to bring more fish across the dock.

Listen to Peter Shelley, of the Conservation Law Foundation, threaten legal action during his condemnation of the Council’s approach to Omnibus EFH Amendment 2 in relation to the groundfish fishery.

Listen to former Massachusetts State Representative and Waterfront attorney, John Quinn, refute Peter Shelley’s argument as he enters into the record National Standard 8 and his NEFMC oath of office.

Listen to Peter Baker, the Northeast Fisheries Director for the PEW Environment Group, express his disapproval of the Council's sector operations plan.