Cites lack of 'substance and action'; 'alarm' over missing catch share analysis; major opportunity on groundfish 'squandered'; not enough done to study closed areas.
Washington, DC – February 2, 2010 – Congressman Barney Frank's office has released a letter from NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco responding to his correspondence from October of last year in which he detailed areas of concern raised in an October 6 meeting with New England fisheries industry representatives.
The Congressman stated "the follow-up…should have been more substantive and action driven".
Mr. Frank said he was "upset" with the length of time it took for a response as it "adds to the delay in trying to initiate positive solutions." Dr. Lubchenco's reply came over two months after the Congressmen sent his letter and exactly three months after the initial meeting. She agreed to meet again with the Congressman, his staff, and members of the commercial fishing industry for future discussions; an offer for which the Congressman thanked her.
Specific points made by Mr. Frank include:
– "a major opportunity to take substantive action which could have mitigated severe cuts in groundfish species such as Pollock and the skate species has been squandered".
– He remains "alarmed with the lack of specificity … about sectors or any analysis that informs those affected by a sector program of the specific consequences of sector management."
– Reiterates that "the Agency cannot rely on the sector program to eliminate by-catch or wasteful discards…and must develop a strategy of retention…"
– Says the "…Agency must take a lead role in maximizing fishing opportunities in order to avoid the consolidation sectors are likely to create."
– With regard to the U.S.-Canada trans-boundary agreement, asks if the Agency will form a task force to develop a comprehensive plan for fisheries interaction with Canada.
– Notes that he suggested that the Agency take immediate action to create a White Paper that would outline a plan to analyze all closed areas, their effectiveness and economic impact. Mr. Frank said he remains "unconvinced that the measures taken by the Agency…have fully addressed this issue."
Read Dr. Lubchenco's response to Congressman Frank.
Read Congressman Frank's reply.
History:
On October 6, Congressman Frank convened a meeting in the Rayburn House Office building with Dr. Lubchenco and members of the New England commercial fishing industry. The meeting included members of the Congressman's staff and Congressman John Tierney's staff, and from National Marine Fisheries Service Dr. Jim Balsiger, acting assistant administrator, and Dr. Steve Murawski Chief Science Advisor.
Participants representing the commercial fishing industry included Roy Enoksen of Eastern Fisheries, Richie Canastra of the Whaling City Seafood Display Auction, and Vito Giacalone, Governmental Affairs Chairman of the Northeast Seafood Coalition.
On October 26, Congressman Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts) wrote to NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco to follow-up on issues discussed in the October 6th meeting. The congressman asked Dr. Lubchenco and her staff to thoroughly review the issues discussed “so that substantive action can mitigate some of the economic stress this industry is currently experiencing.”
The issues covered in the meeting and the follow-up letter included:
– Northeast Skate Complex Amendment 3
– Scallop Observer Program
– Closed Area Analysis
– Sectors
– Pollock / Stock Assessments
– U.S.-Canada Boundary Management Agreement
– Economic Analysis of proposed fishery regulations
The Gloucester Times also covered the meeting and follow-up letter on November 5, 2009.