The system for managing the New England groundfishery "is likely to adversely effect, but not jeopardize" the four endangered species of whales and the four endangered species of turtles that swim in waters fished primarily with bottom trawls and gillnets, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has found.
NOAA's study, released last Friday, focuses on the impact on the endangered whales and turtles by Amendment 16, the groundfish plan that covers 15 species, and seven other more narrowly focused plans — for lobster, monkfish, dogfish, skate, squid, mackerel and butterfish, summer flounder, scup, black sea bass and bluefish.
The findings are good news for all concerned, including the fishing industry, according to Terri Frade, spokeswoman for the New England Fishery Science Center at Woods Hole.
Read the complete story from The Gloucester Times.