WASHINGTON – Dec. 10, 2011 — Maine Senator Olympia Snowe wrote to NOAA Fisheries Cheif Eric Schwaab on the Gulf of Maine Cod assessment in advance of last week's meetings.
In her letter, Senator Snowe said:
"The groundfish industry has been living within its means according to the best available science until, through no fault of its own, the best available science changed. The mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) Section 304 ensure that overfished stocks will be rebuilt within a ten year timeline with limited exceptions. As you know, Congressman Barney Frank and I have initiated a National Research Council study to provide a scientific analysis of the appropriateness of these timelines, which is currently underway. Unfortunately, we are now seeing the economic consequences of this standard unfolding before our very eyes.
"I urge you to explore all possible options to find latitude in the existing law and allow an extension of this rebuilding period. Enabling the development of prudent catch levels that will provide for the continued existence of our historic and diverse fleet is not contrary to the underlying purpose of these rebuilding timelines, and I hope that there will be broad support for such an extension.
"I also encourage you to communicate broadly and clearly the assessment results and reasons for this dramatic and unexpected change to the stakeholders of the groundfish community as well as to Members of Congress. It is of the utmost important that we all share a common understanding of basic fisheries science, its limitations in providing clear answers, and the importance of continuing to prioritize improved data and research."
Read the complete letter from Senator Snowe to Eric Schwaab