NEW BEDFORD, MA (February 11, 2009) – Federal fisheries regulators have reverted to an old set of fishing rules to govern New England’s groundfishing industry while a court-ordered suspension of current rules is in effect for 60 days.
A cloud of uncertainty has plagued the industry in recent weeks following a Jan. 26 federal court ruling that suspended current fishing restrictions, known as Framework 42.
The ruling has left fishermen wondering what rules apply to them when they head out to sea.
Patricia Kurkul, regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service, told The Standard-Times on Tuesday that previous groundfishing rules, known as Amendment 13, are now in effect.
Read the Standard-Times story in full
Related story: New England Council Rejects Federal Regulators’ Position