The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tonight hosts the second in a series of meetings with fishermen, ostensibly to answer questions regarding the new catch share regulatory system and other absurd aspects of the new Amendment 16 mandates that took effect six weeks ago.
And, if last week's New Bedford session is any indication, the meeting tonight from 5 to 8 at Gloucester's NOAA headquarters is one that fishermen should, by all means, attend.
It is, after all, a chance to tell NOAA underlings face-to-face the myriad problems with the new system — including the ridiculous requirement to report any and all landings, including bycatch and even including fish that have been partially eaten by a sea predator and thus could contaminate an entire catch if kept aboard (See news story, Page 1). And it's a chance to let them know just how ludicrous the system of on-board monitors can be if those monitors aren't properly trained — or, in at least one case, are so unseaworthy they spend their entire time aboard seasick, hanging over the side.
Read the full editorial in the Gloucester Times