Saving Seafood

State and Local

F&W staff cuts could hurt RI’s council, ASMFC representation

NARRAGANSETT, RI (October 2008) – State budget problems have dramatically reduced staffing levels at the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife (F&W) to the point that the agency no longer has personnel available to serve on advisory panels and attend meetings important to the needs of the fishing industry.

According to the minutes of the Aug. 4 meeting of the Rhode Island Marine Fisheries Council, F&W Chief Michael Lapisky said the marine fisheries section of F&W had been hit the hardest by staff cuts.

Read the Commercial Fisheries News story in full

 

Massachusetts and Feds on collision course over fishing aid

GLOUCESTER, MA (April 12, 2008) – With pointed criticisms of the federal approach to regulating the Massachusetts fishing industry, the state Division of Marine Fisheries yesterday stood by its intention to give most of an emergency $13.4 million appropriation directly to Bay State fishermen.

The thrust of the proposal published on the division's Web site late yesterday morning was no surprise and puts the state agency — along with the state's congressional delegation — on a collision course with the federal fishing regulators in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The division said it expected to make final changes Monday and have the spending proposal in NOAA's offices by the end of work Tuesday. NOAA declined substantive comment until the document was complete.

Read the Gloucester Daily Times story in full