THIS IS A SAVING SEAFOOD NEWS PACKAGE. WE WILL MONITOR THE GROWING REACTION TO THE INTERIM RULE AND UPDATE THIS PAGE AS EVENTS WARRENT.
QUOTE: "We are not just advisory." ~Massachusetts Director of Marine Fisheries Paul Diodati
Massachusetts’ director of marine fisheries, Paul Diodati, released a letter to NMFS’ regional director Patricia Kurkul suggesting her policies reflected federal arrogance and found signs that NMFS was operating in ways not intended by Magnuson. "We are not just advisory," Diodati wrote to Kurkul on Tuesday. Quoting from Magnuson, he noted that NMFS was required to "work in tandem" with the states "to exercise sound judgment in the stewardship of fishery resources … which take into account the social and economic needs of the states."
NMFS faces questions from leaders, fishermen
GLOUCESTER, MA (February 20, 2009) – The alliance of fishing interests and state officials that convinced a federal judge to strike down limits put on the industry by the National Marine Fishery Service has condemned an impending regulatory scheme as poor policy, based on poor science and a misread of Congress.
The Massachusetts director of marine fisheries predicted Congress would issue a "clarification" to put NMFS back on track. From many quarters, NMFS was warned that the interim — or emergency rule — that it intends to implement by May 1, the start of the fishing year, would further weaken and destabilize the industry without leading to a healthier fishery. Read the Gloucester Daily Times story in full