WASHINGTON – 19 Sept. 2011 – The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary advisory committee last week voted for a 39 page proposal to set up an "ecological research area" that would halt trawling in 39 percent of the sanctuary and fishing of all kinds, including hook-and-line from private boats in 14 percent. But the plan which had been kept secret by its author, sanctuary Superintendent Craig MacDonald, until after he completed his presentation to the committee, had already been shelved by Obama administration officials at the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This proposal would establish a proposed Sanctuary Ecological Research Area (proposed SERA) within Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. As the first step, the proposal is submitted to the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) for inclusion in its Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Amendment process, under provisions of the Northeast Multispecies Fishery Management Plan, pursuant to authorization under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MFCMA). In addition, the proposal similarly may need to be reviewed by other fishery management authorities to ensure comprehensive management.
Read the complete document from NOAA