Saving Seafood

Now that draft regional ocean plan is out…

July 19, 2016 — In Commercial Fisheries News May issue, the background, impending release, and need for fishermen to comment on the draft Northeast Regional Ocean Plan were discussed.

The Northeast Regional Planning Body (RPB) is now accepting written comments on the draft ocean plan through July 25, and will host a series of public meetings across the region.

A full list of meetings is provided on the RPB’s website. We encourage you to review the ocean plan and provide comments relevant to your fisheries.

On May 25, the RPB – comprised of six New England states, six federally-recognized tribes, nine federal agencies, and the New England Fishery Management Council – released the nation’s first draft Regional Ocean Plan.

Over four years in the making, and building on the efforts in the region that have occurred over the last decade, the Regional Ocean Plan (the plan) is intended to advance coastal and ocean data, improve engagement with ocean users, and enhance coordination among agencies who manage ocean and coastal resources.

Read the full story at Commercial Fisheries News

ROB MOIR: Expanding the fisherman’s voice

June 17, 2016 — Gloucester’s fishing industry knows all too well about the complexity of our oceans. Through my years of working with groups like the commercial striped bass fishermen and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, I have seen our fishermen adapt to the highs and lows that come with fishing these seas. That complexity has multiplied as new demands are placed on our ocean and coastal areas. From wind power to aquaculture, there are more and more people making a living off our waters.

And while we all agree that New England should make the most of these opportunities, we can’t do it at the expense of our fishermen’s livelihood, the health of our ocean wildlife or the places where our families go to play. It is now more critical than ever for us to effectively protect our oceans.

That is why I’m proud to see the years of compromise come to fruition with the release of our nation’s first draft regional ocean plan. Following the establishment of the National Ocean Policy in 2010, a planning body made up of New England states, local tribes and federal agencies came together to coordinate the efforts of all agencies that work on ocean-related issues. The result: a draft plan that streamlines ocean management at all levels of government.

I applaud the Northeast Regional Planning Body for a great first draft. I’m happy to see that the first goal focuses on maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems. This connects so well to my many years of working with fishermen and other ocean users to adopt a more ecosystem-based approach to ocean management.

For those in the fishing industry, this plan provides many benefits. But what tops the list in my mind is the ability to have all of this robust data and information in one place. With 150 species of marine life, the data portal is full of science and research that has been thoroughly validated. Anyone reading the plan can add comments or observations, and make note of any perceived gaps in the information. It allows us, for the first time ever, to break down siloes of information that have existed across the numerous state and federal agencies that manage our oceans.

Read the full editorial at the Gloucester Daily Times