September 29, 2022 — Fisheries regulators denied a controversial proposal to develop a leasing program in New England’s scallop industry this week, but backers of the plan suggested they might appeal the decision to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
In a letter submitted to the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) before its vote on Tuesday, Jeffrey Pike, previously a registered lobbyist with the Scallopers Campaign, wrote that should the council not approve a leasing or internal transfer program, “we will be left with no recourse but to appeal to the Secretary of Commerce to use her authority to develop a secretarial amendment.”
Pete Janhunen, a representative with the campaign, said Wednesday that whether they will proceed with an appeal is not decided. He said those involved with the campaign will gather next week to consider next steps, but that he could not speak to what those will be at this time.
During last week’s scallop committee meeting, Pike had said they would look for “other options” should leasing not move forward.
Supporters of leasing, some with ownership interest in larger fleets, have said leasing of fishing allocations will improve efficiency, cut operational costs, minimize emissions amid climate change, ameliorate port congestion and increase flexibility in the event a vessel fails. Opponents have said it’s a means of furthering consolidation, with crew and independent shoreside businesses likely to bear the cost.
Pike’s letter was addressed to NEFMC Executive Director Thomas Nies two days before the council ultimately failed to pass three motions — ranging from narrow to broad — that would have initiated a process to develop a leasing program in the limited access fishery.
Nies, who was attending ongoing council meetings Wednesday, provided a written statement to The Light, saying the council “thoroughly” debated the leasing issue before voting not to proceed.