NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — December 17, 2014 — Fishermen spoke up against additional habitat protection options presented by the New England Fishery Management Council to update its fishery management plans during a hearing at the Fairfield Inn & Suites on Tuesday to solicit comments on its Draft Omnibus Habitat Amendment 2, including its Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
Coordinator Michelle Bachman presented a number of options and combinations for habitat areas in the Gulf of Maine, Great South Channel and Georges Bank and asked the public to choose.
“I’m against any new closures for any fisheries anywhere,” said Scott Nolan, owner of a sea clammer. “Everyone in this room is already struggling to survive.”
Joseph Gilbert, a sea scalloper, said most of the options “create too many negative impacts with too few benefits.”
“The Council needs to balance the needs of habitat protection and restoration with the preservation of access to fishing grounds vital for the future of fishing communities,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell.
Read the full story from the New Bedford Standard-Times