| ACTION ALERT: Ask NMFS for a Strong Rule Protecting Groundfish Nursery Area |
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The National Marine Fisheries Service has determined that midwater trawlers exceeded their allowable bycatch limit in a key area closed to protect groundfish and is initiating new regulations to hold the herring ships accountable. Please take action now to help ensure this job is done right.
Previous Update: April 9, 2009 Yesterday the New England Fishery Management Council took strong action to protect groundfish nursery areas from destructive midwater trawlers. Thanks to those of you who helped the Herring Alliance weigh in on this critical issue. Responding to alarming incidents of haddock bycatch by herring vessels in areas of Georges Bank where groundfishermen can't even go, the Council voted to request that the National Marine Fisheries Service immediately implement several key monitoring reforms the Herring Alliance has been pushing for through Amendment 4. Specifically, the Council voted for a Federal observer on every herring ship that wants to fish in Georges Bank Closed Area I, and even more importantly, it voted to end the irresponsible practice of dumping fish before the observer can sample them. It is a good step, although the same reforms are badly needed for the whole herring fishery, especially the other groundfish closed areas. See this letter from the NEFMC to NMFS for more details |