This publication was prepared by the New England Fishery Management Council for its constituents, a broad range of decision-makers and the public.
A letter from Paul J. Howard, Executive Director of the New England Fishery Management Council, which accompanied the report stated the following:
The publication outlines our recent past and the innovative programs we have put in place to enhance the conservation and management of our valuable fishery resources. The intent is to showcase our successes, identify areas requiring improvement and provide food for thought.
We have not discussed all of our managed fisheries, but instead have highlighted some of the most noteworthy accomplishments, many of which are the result of successful partnerships with the fishing industry.
Because of these and other successes, the Council will continue to seek common ground with its diverse constituents and improve its effectiveness. As part of our collective responsibilities, we also will endeavor to build flexibility and safeguards into share-based and other management programs. And as always, Council members will support and work toward improving the science that forms the basis of our fishery management plans.
With our collective expertise and experience, I have confidence that we will accomplish these objectives. I also look forward to documenting our successful efforts in the future.
Council staff noted the following correction:
Please also note on page 6 that NOAA Fisheries funds only a portion of the observer program in the scallop fishery. The sea scallop observer program is funded by the scallop fleet through set-asides that are removed from the total catch. In this case, the scallop fishery forfeits one percent annually of the overall scallop catch to allow vessels that carry observers to utilize the set-aside. In turn, the set-aside is used to offset the cost of carrying an observer. NOAA Fisheries pays for observer training and data processing, and funds observers who are assigned to the general category open-area fishery.