A federal judge stepped back yesterday from his decision to override National Marine Fisheries Service regulatory policies, reinstating the harsh cutback in fishing effort in the eastern Gulf of Maine that he had suspended in January.
U.S. District Judge Edward Harrington granted NMFS’ motion to dismiss a civil case brought by the states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire; they argued a 2006 regulatory scheme known as Framework 42 was illegal and too restrictive.
"While we are certainly pleased to hear the news," said NMFS’ regional administrator Patricia Kurkul, "we’re eager to move forward working closely with the New England Fishery Management Council, the fishing industry and others on development of new management approaches that will provide more flexibility to the industry and finish the job of rebuilding groundfish resources."